To add back brace or not?

Philip Saran · 12-02-2009, 08:53 PM

I'm looking for feed back/opinions on wether or not to add a back brace to
the 8-3/4 housing in my Duster. Car is presently a bracket car, may some
day move up to SSGT, but probably never become a 360 stocker.

Present 383 makes less than 400 HP, 10 inch convertor and 4:56 rear
with a set of 4:88 sitting waiting and Goodyear 9x30x15 slicks.

Chris DeGidio · 12-02-2009, 11:04 PM

Phil,

I'd use the brace.Have the brace welded in without the axles in,and make sure the housing is straight afterwards.

Philip Saran · 12-03-2009, 12:38 AM

Chris,

Thank you for your input.

Everett Vassar · 12-03-2009, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris DeGidio

Phil,

I'd use the brace.Have the brace welded in without the axles in,and make sure the housing is straight afterwards.

X2 on this---When I bought my 440 Duster Had 8 3/4 with sure grip No problems
Then the s/g broke, I upgraded to a full spool.Car would not even get 60ft without going hard right
Rearend hsng was bent. Had it straightened and brace welded on with no more problems.

Leon Rennebaum · 12-04-2009, 08:53 AM

Everett: Could you explain how the housing was straightened??? Just curious!

Chris "drooze" Wertman · 12-04-2009, 10:28 AM

On a 9in unit I had in my TR7 it was when all the stuff (brackets, brace,etc was welded) on it warped it. they did some cutting and rewelding, straight as an arrow. Pisser I had it coated before checking it

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leon Rennebaum

Everett: Could you explain how the housing was straightened??? Just curious!

Chuck Beach · 12-04-2009, 11:51 AM

Definitely brace the back and put braces on the spring purches front and back. There is not much to those housing when they are apart. Moser can weld the back brace and the braces on the purches and they will make sure it is straight .. my .02 ...

Philip Saran · 12-04-2009, 01:37 PM

Thank you all for your input.

The shop I used for modifing this housing ("B" body cut down to "A" body
dimentions) used a jig and I talked with them about adding the back brace
and they said yes they would mount it in the jig again to do the welding.

They had to replace one end piece and straighten it when they shortened
it for me.

And I will have them also add the needed braces to the spring pads too.

Jeff Teuton · 12-06-2009, 06:19 PM

Don't forget the clearance for the shocks.

Everett Vassar · 12-08-2009, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leon Rennebaum

Everett: Could you explain how the housing was straightened??? Just curious!

I wasnt there to watch him do it,But he said he had to heat it up.Then probably used a hyd press.

12-02-2009, 08:53 PM	#1
Philip Saran Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Parker, CO. Posts: 721 Likes: 158 Liked 14 Times in 11 Posts	To add back brace or not? I'm looking for feed back/opinions on wether or not to add a back brace to the 8-3/4 housing in my Duster. Car is presently a bracket car, may some day move up to SSGT, but probably never become a 360 stocker. Present 383 makes less than 400 HP, 10 inch convertor and 4:56 rear with a set of 4:88 sitting waiting and Goodyear 9x30x15 slicks. __________________ Phil Saran Parker, Colorado

12-02-2009, 11:04 PM	#2
Chris DeGidio Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 364 Likes: 8 Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: To add back brace or not? Phil, I'd use the brace.Have the brace welded in without the axles in,and make sure the housing is straight afterwards. __________________ Nautilus Racing

12-03-2009, 12:38 AM	#3
Philip Saran Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Parker, CO. Posts: 721 Likes: 158 Liked 14 Times in 11 Posts	Re: To add back brace or not? Chris, Thank you for your input. __________________ Phil Saran Parker, Colorado

12-04-2009, 08:53 AM	#5
Leon Rennebaum Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Williamstown, NJ Posts: 31 Likes: 2 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: To add back brace or not? Everett: Could you explain how the housing was straightened??? Just curious!

12-04-2009, 11:51 AM	#7
Chuck Beach Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Delaware, Ohio Posts: 664 Likes: 12 Liked 59 Times in 13 Posts	Re: To add back brace or not? Definitely brace the back and put braces on the spring purches front and back. There is not much to those housing when they are apart. Moser can weld the back brace and the braces on the purches and they will make sure it is straight .. my .02 ... __________________ Chuck Beach 3340 STK

12-04-2009, 01:37 PM	#8
Philip Saran Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Parker, CO. Posts: 721 Likes: 158 Liked 14 Times in 11 Posts	Re: To add back brace or not? Thank you all for your input. The shop I used for modifing this housing ("B" body cut down to "A" body dimentions) used a jig and I talked with them about adding the back brace and they said yes they would mount it in the jig again to do the welding. They had to replace one end piece and straighten it when they shortened it for me. And I will have them also add the needed braces to the spring pads too. __________________ Phil Saran Parker, Colorado

12-06-2009, 06:19 PM	#9
Jeff Teuton VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Houma, LA Posts: 2,717 Likes: 2 Liked 326 Times in 50 Posts	Re: To add back brace or not? Don't forget the clearance for the shocks. __________________ Jeff Teuton 4022 STK