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Vehicle Owner

Member ID: big6ft6

Location: Madison WI, Wisconsin

Vehicle Info

1971 Pontiac Ventura

Major Upgrades

  • engine swap

Modifications

Performance Parts

Ratings

    • Currently 3.5/5 Stars.

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Question: Should I restore original wheels and tires or buy big 5-spoke rimes with low-profile tires?

Last updated: Oct 07, 2008

Hits: 4,342

nate altfeather’s Pontiac Ventura

  • Currently 3.5/5 Stars.
18 guestbook comments

big6ft6's 1971 Pontiac Ventura Madison WI, WI Customized with Edelbrock Engine Comps., Edelbrock Intake, KYB Shocks - 12
Deciding to do the entire front end was a big job. I originally intended to simply do the disc brake conversion. But once I got in there and saw the condition of everything, I slowly convinced myself to just go for it. With each piece removed the next piece was easier. A dremmel tool with a cutting disc and 90 degree head, and a metal chisel will become your best friends gor getting those rusty nuts off.

big6ft6's 1971 Pontiac Ventura Madison WI, WI Customized with Edelbrock Engine Comps., Edelbrock Intake, KYB Shocks - 29
Taking of the control arms was a MAJOR pain in the butt, but not beyond anybody's abilities. Getting the nuts off the bolts is just half the problem. My bolts were so corroded inside the bushing that I couldn't push them out! It took forever to get the bolts out, pounding and twisting for hours! When they finally came out I was all smiles! (see above photo)

big6ft6's 1971 Pontiac Ventura Madison WI, WI Customized with Edelbrock Engine Comps., Edelbrock Intake, KYB Shocks - 16
I had to pay a local shop to press out and install the new bushings from PST. Before putting new bushings in, I had the control arms sand-blasted and painted. The above photo is what they looked like once they were all done before I installed them.

big6ft6's 1971 Pontiac Ventura Madison WI, WI Customized with Edelbrock Engine Comps., Edelbrock Intake, KYB Shocks - 14
The next step was to get the new performance springs in there and hook-up the wheel spindle, this was also a MAJOR pain as well. Just don't quit and you'll get it done, keep working with a spring compressor and a floor jack, you'll eventually get 'em. It would have helped to have the weight of the engine in the car, which I didn't. But the end result is pretty sweet. Oh yeah! Be sure to put that sway bar in-place and bolted to the frame before you put the suspension together, once the control arms are connected to the wheel spindle, you will have difficulty getting the sway bar in, and you REALLY won't want to undo your spindles!

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Vehicle Owner

Member ID: big6ft6

Location: Madison WI, Wisconsin