Edit Hotrod MD Article Selecting Rod Ends Story & Photos By Jim Clark (The Hot Rod MD) Suspension kits and linkage for carbs or shifters are usually supplied with the appropriate rods ends for the application.  However, if you are modifying the suspension or creating your own linkage you will have to choose the correct rod… Continue reading Selecting Rod Ends Story & Photos By Jim Clark (The Hot Rod MD)

Independent Improvement Putting a Heidts Mustang II IFS into a Classic MustangText and Photography by Dale Brunswick The Mustang Was A Lifesaver For Fore, In Need of a fresh new car to revive the company, when it comes to the world in 1964. It was also a relatively easy car to design and produce. Ford… Continue reading Independent Front Suspension Mustang II Installation from Heidts

71 Chevy Camaro Front & Rear Subframe InstallationArticle provided by Heidts by HEIDTS Hot Rod & Muscle Car Parts The beginning… 1971 Camaro in serious need of help The teardown begins with removal of the front clip Careful don’t scratch the paint Front clip removed as an assembly The old 350, soon to be replaced… Continue reading Subframe Installation Article provided by Heidts

WHAT:Selecting a rearend gear ratio (ring & pinion set) to provide the desired highway cruising speed, 60—65 MPH, for a modern hot rod. HOW:A number of factors must be considered when selecting a rearend gear ratio (ring & pinion set). Tire diameter, transmission choice (with or without overdrive) and desired highway cruising speed. Tire diameter… Continue reading Gearing/Gear Ratios

Transmission Gear Ratios Chart:     1st 2nd 3rd 4th TH-350 2.52 1.52 1.00   TH-400 2.48 1.48 1.00   TH-2004R 2.74 1.57 1.00 0.67 4L80E 2.48 1.48 1.00 0.75 TH-700R4 3.06 1.62 1.00 0.70 4l60E 3.06 1.62 1.00 0.70 AOD 2.40 1.46 1.00 0.67 518 2.45 1.45 1.00 0.69   This information should only… Continue reading Transmission Gear Ratio Chart

Popular Automotive Math Formulas and Conversions RPM = mph X gear ratio X 336 divided by tire diameter. TO CONVERT FROM:Miles to Kilometers, Multiply by 1.609344Liters to Cubic Inches, Multiply by 61.023744Inches to Millimeters, Multiply by 54.4millimeters to Inches, Multiply by .0393701

WHAT:  A solid steel or hollow steel/aluminum tube that transmits rotational power from the output shaft at the rear of the transmission to the input/pinion shaft in the rear differential.  The solid steel or hollow steel shaft with outer housing (closed driveline) is usually housed inside a tube bolted to the rearend at the pinion shaft… Continue reading Drive Shaft Basics by Jim Clark, Hot Rod M.D.

What: Solving the problem of driveline vibration. Driveline geometry. The process that can be used to address a condition called driveline/universal joint cancellation, often referred to as adjusting pinion angle. This process can be used to eliminate the vibration and premature wear caused by improper orientation and phasing of the driveline. This condition is caused because… Continue reading Drive Shaft Harmonics Driveline/Universal Joint Cancellation By: Jim Clark, Hot Rod M.D.

SETTING UP A HYDRAULIC CLUTCH RELEASE BEARINGArticle Courtesy of Speedway Motors 1 – This special tool from Speedway Motors makes it easy to set up a hydraulic clutch release bearing on a GM-based transmission. 2 – To install the hydraulic release bearing, you first need to replace the transmission bearing retainer bolt in the 2… Continue reading Clutch – Setting up a Hydraulic Clutch Release Bearing from Speedway Motors

OPTIMUM VEHICLE HANDLING Vehicle handling is a subject that requires dealing with a large number of variables. Attaining optimum vehicle handling requires the adjustment of these variables to achieve the desired result. Cars and trucks require the same techniques to achieve the optimum setup, but the moment that any loading takes place that balance is… Continue reading Vehicle Handling Overview