QA1 Front Shock Trouble, & Leaking Front Wheel ?

[Aubrey N Bruneau]

Before I ask any more of my stupid questions, I just want to say THANK YOU for putting up with me ! I mean really, I could very well be the lousiest Stock / Super Stock racer of all time. But what the heck, if I can get there, I add to the car count.

I'm trying to get my car ready ( missed Ashcroft because of an issue with me front seat ) for Edmonton on the 24th. So far, it looks like it may happen. Howver, as always, a few unexpected glitches.
These QA1 front shocks, single adjustable. I had them set on the loosest extension setting. Not productive. Front pops up... and the suspension rides topped out for most of the track.
stupid
Need it to settle down by half track anyhow. So, I was trying to adjust these things. One seems to have adjusted fine. The other, is now practically seized up ( suspension EXTREMELY rigid, up and down ). My question is, if I blow even MORE money for another, or maybe another pair of these things, is there a good chance that I will receive a pair that function properly ? In my location, parts are at least one-week ordeal, so I have to get on it.

The other thing... my front wheels.
I parked my car last November 2nd. I put it up on blocks, and deflated the tires. It sat like that until a few hours ago. I should mention that the wheels are American Racing Trackstars.
Anyhow, I pumped up he tires. Set the car down. Left front is leaking. Thought it was just the bead. Pumped it to 40 PSI. Leaking seemed to stop. 20 minutes later, leaking again.
I find out that it's not the bead. It's the wheel. The wheel is allowing air to escape, in the middle, where the center section bolts together. If this is just a matter of the silicone sealer having a leak between the two halves, that's nothing serious. My concern is that the wheel is cracked.
Is anybody familiar with the construction of these wheels ?
I don't need a front wheel flying apart at 120+ MPH.

Oh, and unrelated to this... In getting my car ready for IHRA, I am re-installing my roller rocker arms ( I DO have trouble with stamped ones ). I have 15 Comp Cams P/N 1320 Pro Magnum BBC 1.7 rockers ( one was damaged ). I'm in need a of a couple to comlplete my set ( they have only 3 hours on them ).
Can anybody help me out with a couple of these Comp 1320 rockers ?

thanks guys ( and gals )

[treessavoy]

Aubrey,

Anyone with the fortitude to race a 409 need never apoligize.
Don't know about the shocks but for nostalgia reasons I still run Super tricks on my 64 Ply and one had a 3/4 inch crack. I had it welded by the best aluminum welder in the area, filed it down, had it rebalanced and never had anymore problems.

I know a lot of hi tech racer's will be aghast but for 10 years I ran front shocks that I got out of a junk yard that were super loose and they allowed the front to come up fast buy let it settle near to top end.

JimR

[Bob Pagano]

Jim, A chevy wont work like a mopar torsion bar car, he needs to get away from junk shocks and buy some real ones, double adj. from Strange or Santhuff shocks and put an end to his frontend problems. Cost a bit more but wont need replacing.

[Aubrey N Bruneau]

Very understanding, Jim... without a doubt, junkyard shocks would be better than this pair of cubic-buck QA1's that I have now !

I received a PM from a good member here, who suggested that I take my shocks to a place in Calgary, where they can be tested, and fixed. I'll probably go that route... but MAN, $200.00+ a shock, run them for less than 3 hours of driving, and they need rebuilding ???????
pleeeeeze !!!!!!!!!!

Bob, if I read between the lines of your post correctly, are you suggesting the same thing that I'm suspecting ? QA1 shocks are junk ?
My application sometimes causes availablity dilemmas.

[Bob Pagano]

I have run both gm & mopar, ran qa once and trashed them. Call both places, they will have something for your car, measure extended length before you call.

[gsa612]

Give QA1 a call, talk to Dave Goldie tell him your problem see what they can do. Does Calvert make a shock for your car ? I know a few guys with chevelle stockers running them. The price is right and would work. gsa612

[Aubrey N Bruneau]

Thanks guys... made the calls. Learned stuff.
Wheel was no problem... just re-siliconed.

Took the shocks off, and simply checked their "resistance" the old fashioned way.
One seems to take adjustments properly. The other... not so much.
However, I was just looking for a way to increase resistance on extension, and reduce on compression.
After some fooling around, and because one of the shocks does NOT adjust properly, I ended up pretty close to where I wanted to be ! The one shock with the goofy problem, ended up having less of a difference/ratio when adjusted to the same overall approximate resistance as the other. Therefore, on purpose, the shock I installed on the left front, has slightly more extension reistance than the one on the right. And, the one one the right has slightly more resistance on compression. It's a minor difference, but for my purposes, it'll do.

I know, it's backyard. But I gotta tell you, Sending these shocks out 125 miles way, potentially costing another $300.00... with no gaurantee of getting them back on time... nah, just couldn't justify it.

New seat upholstry is in, and got my new valve spring shims and locks on their way here.
Looks like I might finally make it to Edmonton for the "Rocky Mountain" !

[Alan Roehrich]

Call Santhuff. Solves the shock problem permanently.