I have a 67 Camaro with a monleaf 8.2 I recently got a deal on an 8.5 multileaf rearend out of a 73 nova. I need to convert my monos over to multis. After doing research I found both Hotchkis and DSE have conversion kits. Are these kits complete? Dont I need a Multileaf Shock Plates? None of the kits I see have these. I basically need everything to do the swap. Is there a one kit that contains everything or will I need to piece it all together myself. I have searched on the site and it seems everyone pieces it all together.
Thanks for the info.
-Brandon

My '67 12 bolt mono-leaf car to JCW's cheap, 3-leaf mono replacements..

I used everything stock, but ordered mono poly spring bushings and pads and only had to CAREFULLY, hand trim the poly pad side lips!! The word here is to CAREFULLY trim them using a boxknife!!

Sure, the '67 lower shock mounts may bend some if you don't use spacers, but all in all, fine to me..

pdq67

PS., and btw, throw the "T-bolts" in your bolt coffee can and use "U-bolts"

i second the u-bolts, which are included in the hotchkis kit, which i have and used on my 67 but when you change to multi leafs on a 67 the shock/shock plate makes a problem of itself

but for the lower shock plate you have a few options
1. buy shock extenders, use your current rear shocks and mono spring plates, and the extenders will make up the extra length needed

2. buy new lower shock plates and shocks for a multi leaf conversion
i think dse are the only ones who have these for a 67 with non staggered shocks, and then you will need shocks that are the correct legnth for a mulit setup and have the correct lower mounts

3. buy some slapper type traction bars (or the other type i dont know what to call them but, the slappers are cheaper), these have the shock plate built in to them and them you may still need the new multi leaf shocks too--this is the set up that i will have sometime in the next few months

4. use the mono shock plates and just put some weight on the axle to bring it up enough to bolt up the shock, the problem is that this limits the rear axle travel as the shock is too short and it will over time ruin your shock
this is who mine has been for the last year since i installed my hotchkis tvs kit

I did the same swap last year and took some pictures.
8.5 rearend swap (http://geocities.com/sdampier@sbcglobal.net/Team_Camaro/Rear)

Cool. Thanks everyone. Ill let you know how it goes

Steve,

Where did you get the bottom plates that you used for your conversion? They looked like 68 or 69 multi leaf plates except the shocks mount on the front on both sides like you need to do on a 67.

On my 67 I swapped the single leaf springs for multileafs and used the stock bottom plates but swapped the T-bolts for U-bolts. I'm not a believer in shock extenders so I simply went to the shock dimension & mounting pages in a Monroe shock catalog and came up with a stock shock that's a couple inches longer than the original 67 shock and has the same mounting on the ends. It's Monroe part number 32284 for anyone interested. I would imagine that number can be cross referenced to any other brand of shock. For reference the stock shock for a 67 with monoleaf springs (Monroe #32143) is 11.625 compressed length, 19.250 extended length with a travel length of 7.635. The Monroe part number 32284 is 13.875 compressed, 22.750 extended and has a travel of 8.875. That gains you roughly 2 1/2 inches extended which works out well and slightly more travel.

Steve,

Where did you get the bottom plates that you used for your conversion? They looked like 68 or 69 multi leaf plates except the shocks mount on the front on both sides like you need to do on a 67.

I got mine from Detroit Speed and Engineering. Although I think now you can get them from Classic ind. and places like that. It works and looks great.


http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g35/johnnyscamaro67/camaros/dseshockplate.jpg