Top Mount Design Comments Please

OK. The Impreza mounts won't work on the Colt. Stock mounts are $50 a pop. So, here's the theory:

Cut a 4.5" by 5.5" .25 inch steel plate to mimic the rectangular stock strut mount. Drill four holes to hammer in the mounting studs that are on the stock piece to hold it in. Then get one of these COM-12 monoball assemblies from stockcarproducts: http://www.stockcarproducts.com/susp3.htm, drill a hole in the steel plate, weld the fucker in, and then bush to fit the strut shaft.

Comments please.

Thanks,

Wilson

---

"Talk about drugs. Driving a car like that, going that fast, it’s like all the drugs at once." - Tommy Byrne

"Now, Pinky, if by any chance you are captured during this mission, remember you are Gunther Heindriksen from Appenzell. You moved to Grindelwald to drive the cog train to Murren. Can you repeat that?" - The Brain

Wilson,

Your '77 Colt is one of the last remaining "Vintage" examples still running. It is what it is, so please don't screw it up with all kinds of fabrication (Bolt on stuff is a separate matter). But, don't try to make it something it isn't.

As much as I love RWD Mitsubishi's, I don't have any illusions about them either. They aren't Escorts, or Volvo's or PL 510's. If you want things like that it's easier to start with them. Not keep fabbing-up your Colt until you destroy what it is.... to make something it isn't. Your Colt has a long rallying hertiage that deserves a little respect.

Now... that said... there are plenty of ways to make your Colt go faster. Mostly with bolt-in/on RWD Mitsubishi stuff from everything on up through the Starion series. If your wrestling with front struts, why not use the lower half from a Starion with the 145lb. springs ( ala Escort club racer)? you'll get bigger wheel bearings, bigger brakes and the opportunity to build-in a little camber at the same time.

But, please don't just start fabbing things in an effort to save $50.00 on mounts. It hurts my delicate sensibilities. (grin)

Rich Smith

It's his car. Let him do what he wants. I sense the cost is not the only problem with the stock ones, but they are most likely fragile as well.

wvonkessler Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> OK. The Impreza mounts won't work on the Colt.
> Stock mounts are $50 a pop. So, here's the
> theory:
>
> Cut a 4.5" by 5.5" .25 inch steel plate to mimic
> the rectangular stock strut mount.

Overkill with that 1/4". 3/16" is more than enough


Drill four
> holes to hammer in the mounting studs that are on
> the stock piece to hold it in. Then get one of
> these COM-12 monoball assemblies from
> stockcarproducts: ,

Bear in mind that Ford used a 22mm id or 7/8 (Com 14) approx so you're not far off.



drill a hole in the steel
> plate, weld the fucker in, and then bush to fit
> the strut shaft.

So your making a home made steel top mount not modding the shell?
OK like whatever, Rich's heartbeat would get back to normal sooner, so that's good.

But what strut or insert are you going to use?
The mount is fine but you gotta get the "upper spring seat to bearing-step-down-sleeve" stuff absolutely right. It WILL beat itself up if the stuff is sloppy.
>
> Comments please.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Wilson
>
>
>
> My opinions are my own and are not to be construed
> as representing the viewpoint of any other person
> or organization. How's that for legalese?

---

John Vanlandingham
Sleezattle, WA, USA

Vive le Prole-le-ralliat

www.rallyrace.net/jvab
CALL +1 206 431-9696
Remember! Pacific Standard Time
is 3 hours behind Eastern Standard Time.

gilbrock Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> It's his car. Let him do what he wants.

let Rich reccommend what he wants, Wilson's a big boy and can take or leave advice if he wishes.

I sense
> the cost is not the only problem with the stock
> ones, but they are most likely fragile as well.

Your sense is just flat guessing, why say "sense" when it's obvious you haven't a clue?
I guess they're just like any other KYB derived top mount:
studier than shit, stongly made, just surprised they're actually available.
Probably 15mm i.d. bearing like every other Japansese top mount I've seen so far.

It seems they just change the bolt pattern and overall diameter just to have something to do.

>
> L2 Over Your Mom

---

John Vanlandingham
Sleezattle, WA, USA

Vive le Prole-le-ralliat

www.rallyrace.net/jvab
CALL +1 206 431-9696
Remember! Pacific Standard Time
is 3 hours behind Eastern Standard Time.

Wilson,

JVL asks the most important question: "But what strut or insert are you going to use?"

Your OEM Colt strut has more than 8" travel. 1970's Rally prepped Colts and 1980's Starions have 7" travel. This travel is one of the best things about them. But, nobody makes rally "inserts" for them anymore and the old stock is all gone.

At least one Starion rally guy in Oregon (can't recall his name), modified his Starion struts by fitting them with inverted 7" or 8" Bilstein's & Coilovers. JVL just might know "someone" that does this kind of work. Then you would have a properly modified "BOLT-IN" Rally Strut for your pristine Vintage Colt.

Rich Smith

Oh John wow, you've done your little duty today and insulted someone that could frankly give a fucking shit what you think.

I said 'sense' because I didn't know, because if I KNEW I would say it definitively. Want me to edit my post to put 'I guess'? I can if you want.

Or is this concept too hard for you to grasp?

Hurry up, spend the next hour trying to find posts I've made to try to prove I dont know shit about cars.

Truth is, I dont know much and I'll be the first to admit it. The only thing I was responding to was Rich's response, which I was annoyed at.

And you wonder why everyone thinks you're an asshole.

Eli,

Roughage...... eat more roughage.

Rich Smith

Good idea, I think I'll have a salad for lunch.

gilbrock Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Oh John wow, you've done your little duty today
> and insulted someone that could frankly give a
> fucking shit what you think.
>
>
> Truth is, I dont know much and I'll be the first
> to admit it. The only thing I was responding to
> was Rich's response, which I was annoyed at.
>
> And you wonder why everyone thinks you're an
> asshole.
>

Eli, everybody doesn't think I'm a fucking asshole.
There seems tobe a near polar reaction to what I write. You're on the one extreme,there's lots on the other.

I sensed your annoyance at Rich's posting ,and since you so clearly don't know shit from shinola, I knew there was no reason for you to be annoyed, but annoyed you were. You specifically have no REASON to be annoyed or to be telling off anybody.
So i poke fun at your STUPID annoyance and arrogant telling of my friend Rich toin essence shut up.

What I wonder is where do you particularly get such an elevated view of your own opinion---that is a separate question from what you may think of my opinions,but just what the fuck makes Eli Gilbert such a bitter complainer,cause that is my impression I get from all your posts here and on SS.

Any chance you're some sort of extreme Right wing so-called "conservative"?
Seems to be a good marker of who hates me, and maybe I'm sensing that and responding with appropriate sarcasm?

Seriously, I'm curious really where the polar reactions comes from.



> L2 Over Your Mom

---

John Vanlandingham
Sleezattle, WA, USA

Vive le Prole-le-ralliat

www.rallyrace.net/jvab
CALL +1 206 431-9696
Remember! Pacific Standard Time
is 3 hours behind Eastern Standard Time.

Rich:

No new fabrication. We love the car with all its warts. In fact, we love it so much that we purchased a 2.0 twin (former NW car that lived in an airplane hanger for 20 years in Ohio, then in George Beckermann's barn for a few years, then with Mike Hurst, and then finally with a guy by the name of Ian Miller in Indianapolis). And then purchased another one of George's cars (an earlier GT) with a C2 Engine in it, but a rolled body. They were delivered over the weekend.

We also got a buttload of NOS stock parts with them, including things like NOS sidedraft manifolds still in the Mitsu packaging, over 20 motormounts still in DC packaging, etc., etc. Oh, and fiberglass molds for the hood and front fenders. And glass, struts, wheels, bearings, rings, rockers, a roof, gaskets, wiring harnesses, etc., etc.

We're just trying to take some of the compliance out of the front end. But if JVL's comment about the KYB strut bearings is not tongue in cheek, then maybe we need to stick with them.

I am aware of the strut travel. I have a spindly set of inserts from a Porsche 924 that have the same 7.825" travel as the originals. The Aussies have a V36 insert for the Commodore that apparently drops right in.

I would still like to get one of your LSDs though.

Regards,

Wilson

Rich Smith Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Wilson,
>
> Your '77 Colt is one of the last remaining
> "Vintage" examples still running. It is what it
> is, so please don't screw it up with all kinds of
> fabrication (Bolt on stuff is a separate matter).
> But, don't try to make it something it isn't.
>
> As much as I love RWD Mitsubishi's, I don't have
> any illusions about them either. They aren't
> Escorts, or Volvo's or PL 510's. If you want
> things like that it's easier to start with them.
> Not keep fabbing-up your Colt until you destroy
> what it is.... to make something it isn't. Your
> Colt has a long rallying hertiage that deserves a
> little respect.
>
> Now... that said... there are plenty of ways to
> make your Colt go faster. Mostly with bolt-in/on
> RWD Mitsubishi stuff from everything on up through
> the Starion series. If your wrestling with front
> struts, why not use the lower half from a Starion
> with the 145lb. springs ( ala Escort club racer)?
> you'll get bigger wheel bearings, bigger brakes
> and the opportunity to build-in a little camber at
> the same time.
>
> But, please don't just start fabbing things in an
> effort to save $50.00 on mounts. It hurts my
> delicate sensibilities. (grin)
>
> Rich Smith
>

---

"Talk about drugs. Driving a car like that, going that fast, it’s like all the drugs at once." - Tommy Byrne

"Now, Pinky, if by any chance you are captured during this mission, remember you are Gunther Heindriksen from Appenzell. You moved to Grindelwald to drive the cog train to Murren. Can you repeat that?" - The Brain



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/27/2007 06:09PM by wvonkessler.

Wilson,

GOOD SHOW!!! Whew.... glad I misunderstood what you were up to!

I've corresponded with George Beckerman in the past and it sounds like you've gained a great package of spares. George must be very relieved to know that all his long kept Colt stores now have a home among Rally people that will put them to good use.

By the way, here's a nice '77 Service Wagon for you:

http://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/car/357620701.html


Rich Smith

PS: I sent a new email to Steve Nowicki this afternoon about getting his last "Safari" inserts dyno'ed for replication. Hope he isn't to busy to respond.