Would engine fire cause front suspension damage?
 

1973 Dodge dart with a 360 and front disk suspension.

Engine fire toasted engine and front fenders as well as cracked winshield.

I just pulled motor and fenders to go through the car and fix and damage as well as repaint and rebuild motor/tranny.

My question is: Would the fire damage any of the metal/structural components of the suspension?

I am planning on doing all new bushings and wearable parts of the suspension with a kit from PST suspension, in addition to shocks and rebuilding all the brakes etc..

I have an extra 1973 dodge dart with the same stuff on it except a 318. So my options are to just refurbish and run existing suspension on the build; or pull suspension off extra dart (I will be doing new bushings and ball joints etc regardless) and throw it on the project.

Does anyone have any opinions on this as to what I should do?


Thank you in advance I appreciate the help.

When in doubt swap it out, you'll certainly feel more confident driving it. But I'll bet you a dolla twenty five that the steel is fine.

I would change it..

I'm With the others.... :)

As to the fire ? Find another engine ! Fire chemicals will destroy the cylinder bores/pistons

Many of the suspension bushings are visible by just raising and looking under the car. My guess is that they all burnt up, but you will be able to see them.


If the torsion bars got hot, their heat treatment is gone.


Are the control arms regular mild steel, or alloy steel? My guess is mild, but I hope somebody knows with certainty. If the latter, their heat treatment may be messed up. I am fairly sure that the spindles are alloy steel. If these got hot, they are finished (but they may not have gotten that hot).