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68 convertible steering and suspension upgrade help needed

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roberts

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68 convertible
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Discussion starter · #1 ·
First post here. Recently purchased 68 convertible, that had not been driven in 25 years. Pretty solid, but needs up- grades. First car was a 68, so another one is a dream come true, however I am a bit overwhelmed at this point.

It has the original 6 cyl., which I would happily drive around town, but it is in pretty rough condition, so looking at a 350. I do not know if springs etc. need replaced moving to 8 cyl.

I need to switch it over to power steering, and looking to upgrade the suspension . I do not need a race car, nor a show car, so I don't need high end upgrades. I just want to drive it and enjoy it.

Any advice on power steering kits and suspension improvements would be greatly appreciated. My mechanic is very good, but he does not do much work on 50+ autos.

Thanks
 
#2 ·
roberts said:
First post here. Recently purchased 68 convertible, that had not been driven in 25 years. Pretty solid, but needs up- grades. First car was a 68, so another one is a dream come true, however I am a bit overwhelmed at this point.

It has the original 6 cyl., which I would happily drive around town, but it is in pretty rough condition, so looking at a 350. I do not know if springs etc. need replaced moving to 8 cyl.

I need to switch it over to power steering, and looking to upgrade the suspension . I do not need a race car, nor a show car, so I don't need high end upgrades. I just want to drive it and enjoy it.

Any advice on power steering kits and suspension improvements would be greatly ed. My mechanic is very good, but he does not do much work on 50+ autos.

Thanks
Click to expand...
My 68 is a 6 cylinder convertible, but everyone here can help.
I would leave the 6 in it and just fix what needs fixing. They’re pretty easy to work on, and a V8 swap won’t be cheap. Plus everyone has an 8. Be different. Drive it and enjoy it.
 
#3 ·
Welcome to the money pit.
Changing to a V-8 requires front springs, motor mounts on the frame and engine, radiator, hoses, alternator brackets, pulleys (sheaves), etc.
The power steering requires the steering box, brackets, pump, pitman arm, and belts, along with the extra pulley.
Unless you are wanting to impress the masses with a 400 hp engine, the original 6 cylinder will do just fine in a cruiser and would not be real expensive to rebuild depending on where you are in the country and if you are doing the work or paying for it.
 
#4 ·
All new OEM would be fine and an upgrade in and of itself as it will be 50 years newer. Sure you can spent your retirement on expensive upgrades that will not necessarily be realized with the type of driving you are planning on having. Plan each detail the best you can for each component with the budget you have. With 50 years experience I have usually come in within 5-10% of a budget. I buy all needed parts before starting a a resto and my shop does all the work, now retired I do 1 at a time. Price shop and ask for discounts. A 350 crate is a good choice and the suspension needs to match the drivetrain and weight of the car. Too many guys just tend to wing it and get way over their budget and expectation due to lack of planning .. , , , ,like building a house! Get educated on your car and the variety of options and do as much of the work yourself, these cars are pretty simple to build with the exception of the current trend of resto mods. Good luck and have fun with your life size model car.
 
#5 ·
I would start with front power disc brakes if your convertible is currently a four wheel drum car, as it sounds like you are not overly concerned about originality.

Does you car have any other rare options other than being a convertible?

You realize now you have to post some pics . . .

roberts said:
First post here. Recently purchased 68 convertible, that had not been driven in 25 years. Pretty solid, but needs up- grades. First car was a 68, so another one is a dream come true, however I am a bit overwhelmed at this point.

It has the original 6 cyl., which I would happily drive around town, but it is in pretty rough condition, so looking at a 350. I do not know if springs etc. need replaced moving to 8 cyl.

I need to switch it over to power steering, and looking to upgrade the suspension . I do not need a race car, nor a show car, so I don't need high end upgrades. I just want to drive it and enjoy it.

Any advice on power steering kits and suspension improvements would be greatly appreciated. My mechanic is very good, but he does not do much work on 50+ autos.

Thanks
Click to expand...
 
#6 ·
Probably only worth it if you swap in a v8, but take a peek at the Ridetech StreetGrip system, I put it on my convertible and like the result. You might be happy keeping your current springs if you keep the 6, just replace the bushings with new if the old ones are worn. A bigger sway bar would be a cheap improvement.

You definitely want subframe connectors if you don't have them already. If you swap to power steering look at a faster ratio one, I went with a cardone 27-6550 pump and CVF high pressure pump. To re-iterate, a swap to 69 spindles, rotors and calipers would be a simple job especially if you are replacing bushings, it all has to come apart for that. I would replace the balljoints too while you are in there.
 
Discussion starter · #8 ·
Thanks to everyone for the advice, very much appreciate it. I'm sure I will have more questions along the way. At this point, I am just going to stick with the V6. That is plenty for me to drive around and enjoy, plus I fear putting a V8 in it will have me making one upgrade after another to compensate. I don't want a show car or a race car.

I've got disc brakes to install and I am trying to figure out the best power steering set up to order.

For sure I will take the suspension advice. Honestly, the little bit I have driven it, it is a pretty decent ride for a 50+ year old car.
Again, thank you all!
 
#9 ·
roberts said:
Thanks to everyone for the advice, very much appreciate it. I'm sure I will have more questions along the way. At this point, I am just going to stick with the V6. That is plenty for me to drive around and enjoy, plus I fear putting a V8 in it will have me making one upgrade after another to compensate. I don't want a show car or a race car.

I've got disc brakes to install and I am trying to figure out the best power steering set up to order.

For sure I will take the suspension advice. Honestly, the little bit I have driven it, it is a pretty decent ride for a 50+ year old car.
Again, thank you all!
Click to expand...
V6?
 
#11 ·
Rebuild the stock suspension and steering linkage. Replace the steering gear with a rebuilt box. NAPA has slightly quicker ratio but not so quick to be twitchy. Install larger aftermarket sway bar. Monroe shocks. Cheap opposed
to all the other aftermarket stuff out there and will drive good.
 
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#12 ·
roberts said:
Thanks to everyone for the advice, very much appreciate it. I'm sure I will have more questions along the way. At this point, I am just going to stick with the V6. That is plenty for me to drive around and enjoy, plus I fear putting a V8 in it will have me making one upgrade after another to compensate. I don't want a show car or a race car.

I've got disc brakes to install and I am trying to figure out the best power steering set up to order.

For sure I will take the suspension advice. Honestly, the little bit I have driven it, it is a pretty decent ride for a 50+ year old car.
Again, thank you all!
Click to expand...
Get a standard p/s setup, as parts are available. Stay away from the V8 temptation for now...and forever. Keep it simple so you can enjoy the car.
 
Discussion starter · #13 ·
Thank you! Very helpful advice. I see all these expensive kits and get confused. I don't want to go cheap route nor the overboard route. 40 years ago when I was driving my 68 to high school, I had the only stock one in the lot. The other kids had turned their camaro's into hot rods. Not for me.

Everyone's input has been a big help.
 
#15 ·
roberts said:
Thank you! Very helpful advice. I see all these expensive kits and get confused. I don't want to go cheap route nor the overboard route. 40 years ago when I was driving my 68 to high school, I had the only stock one in the lot. The other kids had turned their camaro's into hot rods. Not for me.

Everyone's input has been a big help.
Click to expand...
You can get a disc brake conversion for reasonable money. I would go for the power setup because it’s obviously better. It’s just a parts swap. But if the front end needs rebuilt because of worn parts, that’s the time to do it. You’ll have to get an alignment regardless. Anyone can get to 65 mph……stopping quickly and safely is another. Stock is cool.
 
#18 ·
I too have a 68 vert that was an original L6 with 3 speed in the floor. At first I added power steering then upgraded the brakes to power disc. Both of those I was able to cobble together from bone yard donors. I got spindles from a 72 Monte Carlo then bought rebuilt rotors and calipers from AZ. Most of the PS parts came from bone yard as well. I don't even remember what they came off.

Several years later I did upgrade to a stout 350, Muncie and 8.5 rear with 3.73 posi. I only mention this because I never swapped out the 6 cyl coil springs. I did do Hotchkis 3 leaf 2 inch drops in the rear. I've never noticed a problem. I'm curious why everyone thinks you need V8 coil springs when do an L6 swap.
 
#19 · (Edited)
Winch said:
I too have a 68 vert that was an original L6 with 3 speed in the floor. At first I added power steering then upgraded the brakes to power disc. Both of those I was able to cobble together from bone yard donors. I got spindles from a 72 Monte Carlo then bought rebuilt rotors and calipers from AZ. Most of the PS parts came from bone yard as well. I don't even remember what they came off.

Several years later I did upgrade to a stout 350, Muncie and 8.5 rear with 3.73 posi. I only mention this because I never swapped out the 6 cyl coil springs. I did do Hotchkis 3 leaf 2 inch drops in the rear. I've never noticed a problem. I'm curious why everyone thinks you need V8 coil springs when do an L6 swap.
Click to expand...
Because back in the day if your ordered a radio you got computer selected springs and it would be different. Also when car guys swapped a V8 most usually added an aluminum intake and headers which dropped at least 60-80 pounds so the difference between the 6 and 8 was not so great. I did do one swap between a 6 (440 lbs) and a iron V8 (575 lbs) and it needed new 8 banger springs that we got from Chevy. Maybe because you lowered your rear you don't notice the sag but trust me it sags with a V8


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Winch
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