Monte Carlo Bar Fitment Question

[Tim65GT]

I am researching Monte Carlo bars to fit my Setup. I did a search, but the threads don't have any end result/solutions.

SBurkey:
I see you have a Sanden Compressor and a Curved Monte Carlo Bar. It looks like it barely clears.

I have the Sanden Compressor, but it's part of the Vintage Air Kit with V-belt and you have a Sepentine setup. Do you know - does it mount the compressor farther foward or the same as a V belt?

I have a MSD Distributor, and it appears to be too high for a Straight Bar, so a curved one is my choice, but I'm not sure about the clearance at the Compressor. Although my compressor (or engine?) seems to be lower. I put a straight edge across the inner fenders and measured about 1 1/2" to the compressor body, The top mount ears stick up higher though.

What Brand did you get? Do the cheaper ones use thinner steel? I'm getting an Export Brace too. Any Suggestions? Chome or Black? Any disadvantages?

I'm also planning on getting the Global West Subframe Connectors. Does it matter if I do them first - last?

Thanks for input from anyone with a similar setup.

 

[dennis112]

There really are no negatives to using an Export brace. Every car should have one installed.

A curved Monte Carlo bar offers practically no support for the shock towers. More for appearance than function.

I highly stress that you install the Export brace prior to the subframe connectors as you might need the firewall to flex in order to get the Export brace installed. 40+ year old sheet metal will have shifted around a lot over the years.

 

[sburkey1967]

You hit the nail on the head, it is VERY close. I have been waiting to turn it over to see just how close. It is within an 1/8" to 1/4" max and I was even concerned with engine twist that it would hit. If you look closely the Monte Carlo bar isn't bolted in on top as I was going to have to drill those and I wasn't going to do it if it wouldn't work anyway.
The serpentine has some adjustment but not much. The second part of that problem is the thermostat housing and getting a line on it that will work. I want to use the coolflex hose and I definitely don't think there is enough clearance with a ninety degree elbow on it. I was looking at doing some adjustable ones, but not sure if it is worth the pain if the Sanden compressor won't work either.
Sorry, I can't offer more advice as I am still in the same predicament my self.

 

[Tim65GT]

Thanks for the replies.

A curved Monte Carlo bar offers practically no support for the shock towers. More for appearance than function.

Really? I figured a curved type bar would have a thicker wall tubing to prevent the flex. Can anyone input one that? I see a lot of curved Monte Carlo Bars out there for just looks.

 

[68conv4sp]

My curved Monte carlo was easy to install BECAUSE it is rather weak by being bent. The straight bar I have was slightly too long (my towers have moved inwards a little over 40 years) and also did not clear the distributor. Hence the curved bar. Monte Carlo bars are really only effective in compressive strength applications, using the straight tubings resistance to compression. The curved bar's only remaining resistive component is its resistance to bending (poor), which leaves appearance as its main advantage.

 

[geostang351]

A curved Monte Carlo bar offers practically no support for the shock towers. More for appearance than function.

I disagree. Anything to keep the shock towers from "falling" into one another is a help.

 

[coolblue65]

I disagree with the above comments regarding the curved monte carlo bar's only benefit is appearance. After installing the curved bar I noticed an immediate improvement in the driving dynamics of the front end- particularly when turning. Also, by installing it I gained a significant amount of camber because it pushed the towers back out to where they belong after 40 years of sag. This allowed me to realign it and remove a bunch of shims to get back to my typical negative camber. WELL WORTH IT

I do not disaggree that a straight bar would be stronger, but you try to flex or compress my curved bar and see how far you get.