Intall ? - Monte Carlo Bar

1965forAC · 03-06-2008

I got a Monte Carlo bar that I am installing. Seems a little tight to say the least. Any suggestions on how to squeeze it in between the shock towers? Almost seems like you need to spread things open somehow to get it in <---that sounded bad.

MizzouMike76 · 03-06-2008

The car is old, the shock towers tend to settle inwards. You are correct that they need to be spread apart a little.

The best course of action is to raise the car with a jack, under the crossmember beneath the oil pan (correct me if I am wrong on this!). Leave it for a few hours, to give the shock towers time to relax.

If that doesn't work, you (or a shop) will need to use a hydrualic ram to push the towers apart.

I plan on doing this to my Mustang, but haven't yet. The above is based on what I have read from several sources.
Certainly someone here has, and will weigh in on the subject.

Michael

andrewmp6 · 03-06-2008

I have heard the same thing put the car on jack stands to take the load off and let the shock towers go back enough.If you can get it close enough shove it in and bolt it on.

The Greek · 03-06-2008

I made a spreader with a 1/2 inch piece of pipe a nut and bolt and two or three washers (The thicker the better on the washers and at least a 1/2 inch dia. bolt that will fit in the end of the pipe).

Thread the nut all of the way up on the threads of the bolt, install washers and place end of bolt in pipe. Install where it's the easiest for you and with a couple of wrenches, one for the nut and one to hold the bolt, turn the nut against the pipe. This worked for me, you don't have to spread the towers much. Use cardboard or small pieces of wood on the ends to keep from scratching the paint.

If you find that there isn't enough threads on a bolt, use all thread with a nut tacked onto the end or two nuts jammed together at the end.

66barryt · 03-06-2008

On my 66 I had pulled the MC bar and export brace off to detail the engine compartment
I used a small bottle jack and a 4" X 4" to spread the towers enough to get the bar back in. The export brace was even worse than the MC bar. I jacked the car just under the door hinges and braced the front end off against the rafters in my garage to get the brace back in position along with a lot of sweat I did get it back together. but WOW what a job.
good luck

Sore Pancake · 03-06-2008

i just put on a new export brace and MC bar last weekend(<--- Check the pic!). i had no problem getting either to sit all the way down, even without jacking it up. however even when seated evenly the holes for the monte bar did not lone up with the ones in the engine bay, so i had to drill holes

Sore

paul289 · 03-06-2008

I wonder why mine went on so easily, then. I mean, mine was a daily driver down a dirt driveway for twenty years. I think you're supposed to drill new holes to mount the MC bar, anyways. I got two bolts in, and that's enough for me.

andrewmp6 · 03-06-2008

I don't know some people have to fight to get one in some it drops in it just depends on how the cars been drove and the monte carlo bar its self.

1965forAC · 03-07-2008

Thanks for the feedback guys. Mine has been on jack stands overnight...i'll check it tonight to see how it's looking.

The Greek · 03-07-2008

I've done a couple of MC bars and I never had all of the bolt holes line up. The bolt spacing was different.

I only had shock towers that had collapsed no more than about a quarter of an inch. I guess I've been lucky. The guy that won the Lotto had it fall right into place.