Help Heidt's Four Link Install Question

I am in the process of installing a Heidt's four link and due to the lack of directions,i am looking for info on mounting the four link brackets to the rear axle ,pinion angle welding tips etc. :confused:
All input appreciated.

I am stuck here
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q18/67REDSS/Front%20Clip%20Trip/DSC01278.jpg

Does this help?:

http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/tech/chassis/suspension_steering/0602ch_chevy_2_nova_rear_subframe_install/

I'm in the market to purchase a setup like this. Just wondering how much room is left for the exhaust if you wanted to go over the axle and out behind rear wheel. The pictures show it dumping at the axle. Any thought's or experience with this????:confused: Thanks, Alan

Does this help?:

http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/tech/chassis/suspension_steering/0602ch_chevy_2_nova_rear_subframe_install/

I have the magazine with this article but because they are using a Heidt's rear end there is no mention of pinion angle. Spoke with the tech today at Heidt's and they explain that i will have to install my engine and trans to determine pinion angle, when i asked him what they use for a measurement when you buy a complete housing from them he had no idea:confused: . I am going to install the front clip drop the engine and trans in and measure the angles and then install the brackets,i don't see any other way.
Thanks for the reply.

I'm in the market to purchase a setup like this. Just wondering how much room is left for the exhaust if you wanted to go over the axle and out behind rear wheel. The pictures show it dumping at the axle. Any thought's or experience with this????:confused: Thanks, Alan

I have to let you know when i get to the exhaust.

Theres usually enough adjustability in the four link bars to where the rear end housing can be mounted with the pumpkin/cover flange perpendicular to the ground, meaning the pinion shaft shaft is level. But I would mock up the crank centerline height/angle and the rear axle centerline to see if it works out. Rod ends arent designed to hang out with lots of threads showing but theres some adjustability if you get it close with the housing brackets. Enough of these have been done to where someone should be able to tell you what angle their rear end sits at ride height with this same system.

The last drag car I did I set the pinion level and adjusted the bottom bar ends out and the top bar end in. Knowing if an adjustment was to be made it would be rotating the rear end back. By doing it with both top and bottom bars the axle centerline stayed put and the rear merely rotated. This is for example only as it was a wierd gasser combo.

I am in the process of installing a Heidt's four link and due to the lack of directions,i am looking for info on mounting the four link brackets to the rear axle ,pinion angle welding tips etc. :confused:
All input appreciated.

Send a pm to ibuildm - he is a member here - great guy and very helpful. Here is a link to his site http://www.timshotrods.com/ Don't forget to send him some of your business as well.

I can't say this for sure with the heidt's but the Instructions for the TCI fourlink advise to install the brackets so that when they are perpidicular to the floor, the pinion is 1 degree up.

The heidt's is probably pretty similar.

As for exhaust... I'll try to get some pics next week, its tight with the TCI, but its doable. I Just ordered an X-pipe from Pypes with plans to dump the exhaust right after the mufflers for now, with plans on running it fully out the rear ar a later date, once I fanialize my wheel/tire decision. But, when I talked to Pypes they said they are working on a Nova w/ the TCI 4-link for the SEMA show later in the year, and that they may offer a full kit compatible with it once they are done. I may wait, or I may just end up taking it to the local muffler shop and having them bend something up.

I'll try to get some pics of the completed install next week when the exhaust system arrives and I start doing the install.

I can't say this for sure with the heidt's but the Instructions for the TCI fourlink advise to install the brackets so that when they are perpidicular to the floor, the pinion is 1 degree up.

The heidt's is probably pretty similar.

As for exhaust... I'll try to get some pics next week, its tight with the TCI, but its doable. I Just ordered an X-pipe from Pypes with plans to dump the exhaust right after the mufflers for now, with plans on running it fully out the rear ar a later date, once I fanialize my wheel/tire decision. But, when I talked to Pypes they said they are working on a Nova w/ the TCI 4-link for the SEMA show later in the year, and that they may offer a full kit compatible with it once they are done. I may wait, or I may just end up taking it to the local muffler shop and having them bend something up.

I'll try to get some pics of the completed install next week when the exhaust system arrives and I start doing the install.

Grooves, if you are using the TCI rear package, are you planning on positioning the mufflers before the 4-link crossmember - underneath the rear seat floorpan? If so, don't you think they will hang low underneath the car? I really don't know of any other option.

Grooves, if you are using the TCI rear package, are you planning on positioning the mufflers before the 4-link crossmember - underneath the rear seat floorpan? If so, don't you think they will hang low underneath the car? I really don't know of any other option.


Yes, I am, and no I don't think they will hang low. They aren't going to be hanging any lower than lots of other points on the car... oil pan, headers, rear 4-link crossmember, etc.

In looking at it, it looks like when I decide to run full tail pipes, there is space to run them over the 4 link crossmember between it and the floor pan, so I think everything will be up there nice and tight.

BTW what other option is there for muffler placement that would put it up any higher, even without the 4 link kit?

Yes, I am, and no I don't think they will hang low. They aren't going to be hanging any lower than lots of other points on the car... oil pan, headers, rear 4-link crossmember, etc.

In looking at it, it looks like when I decide to run full tail pipes, there is space to run them over the 4 link crossmember between it and the floor pan, so I think everything will be up there nice and tight.

BTW what other option is there for muffler placement that would put it up any higher, even without the 4 link kit?

Stock mufflers are positioned under the rear seat where the floor pans are recessed a bit higher - at least on 1st and 2nd gens with leaf springs.. I'm not sure about later models. On cars like ours - with the rear crossmember - that is no longer an option since the xmember is located in that area. I was planning on the Pypes x-pipe and mufflers - like you ordered - then full tail-pipes most likely run under the rear housing since my car sits very low on shockwaves.

Yeah, I see that now looking at it... but like I said, there is plenty that hangs lower, even with them a little lower up against the floor pan.

The crossmember for the 4-link especially. Even in the picture of the heidts ket above, you can see where they would set about even with the subframe connectors if up against the floor pan. And the TCI sit a bit lower, especially if you factor in the driveshaft loop. When I was looking at it I think the mufflers will be completely above the level of the crossmember.

... but I guess we'll see in a week or so.

Theres usually enough adjustability in the four link bars to where the rear end housing can be mounted with the pumpkin/cover flange perpendicular to the ground, meaning the pinion shaft shaft is level. But I would mock up the crank centerline height/angle and the rear axle centerline to see if it works out. Rod ends arent designed to hang out with lots of threads showing but theres some adjustability if you get it close with the housing brackets. Enough of these have been done to where someone should be able to tell you what angle their rear end sits at ride height with this same system.

The last drag car I did I set the pinion level and adjusted the bottom bar ends out and the top bar end in. Knowing if an adjustment was to be made it would be rotating the rear end back. By doing it with both top and bottom bars the axle centerline stayed put and the rear merely rotated. This is for example only as it was a wierd gasser combo.
Thanks for the input Mike talked with some drag guys last night and they say the same as well.

Is that blasted clean under there or is that primer?



If I may ask, with the rod/bushed ends screwed in what are the eye to eye lengths of the top and bottom bars on the heidts kit. Ive got some alston prostreet four link bars sitting around that look like they might have a home after all.

Is that blasted clean under there or is that primer?

Blasted clean

Hi,

I am in the middle of installing the Heidt´s 4-Link in my 66.
Pinion Angle:
In the instruction it says: "The HEIDT`s brackets are installed with a 3-1/2° pinion angle. You can then fine tune the angle to match your engine."

Exhaust over the axle:
It appeared to me that on the passenger side the upper panhard bar bracket on the top crossmember would interfere with an exhaust tube going over the axle right next to the coil over mounting tab. I went ahead and cut the panahrd bar bracket a fair amount lengthwise, then enhancing the stability of the structure by welding in some metal to have the bracket form a boxed structure. After that it looks like there is at least room for a 2.5" tube with 0.5" space in all directions. Sure will be a little "snakey"...
I am giong to take some pics during the weekend when I am back in the shop.

Greetz

Boris

PS: Interestingly, then one would not need to have the mufflers to be located beneath the floorboard in the rear seat area - they can be installed behind the tire next to each side of the tank! But hey, that may be something for the TCI-4-link guys...

:)