I just installed some Patriot Tri-Y headers on my '66 K-code fastback. It turned out to be a "real" pain. My mechanic had to modifiy the Z bar to make it fit (+ 150 bucks). Right now, I'm questioning whether it was all worth it. After it gets a little warmer, and I've had a chance to take the car out and enjoy it, maybe I'll change my mind.
Kerry
I appreciate all the feedback I have received over this issue the last few days. I'm surprised by the number of suggestions related to the drivetrain. It doesn't seem like the problem is coming from that area, but I guess I should reconsider that opinion.
One thing I did notice while changing the wheels, was one of the rear leaf spring is sagging (about 5/8"). I've thought about it, and while I don't believe this is the cause of the problem, I could see how it might aggrevate the situation. In any case, I decided to go ahead and have them replaced (and eliminate that as an issue) before I do any more investigation into the shimmy. Hopefully, I'll have this completed before the end of next week.
I'll let eveyone know what I find...
Kerry
Well...I got the wheels & tires swapped (and then swapped back). Man...what a pain.
I didn't get the answer I was expecting. The car still shimmy's, but now it worse at 55 mph, and is much better at 60.
I guess I'll move on to the brake rotors. That's seems the next logical choice.
Kerry
66gtk,
I work for a loudspeaker manufacturer in Indianapolis.
Switching the tires & wheels had occurred to me, I just thought someone might be familiar with this issue and point to one or the other as the more likely candidate.
I'll try and switch the wheels & tires tomorrow (Sunday), and report back. At least that will give me the peace of mind that something more major isn't wrong with the car.
I haven't had a chance to get any pictures, yet. Most of my free tiem has been spent dealing with this issue.
Thanks,
Kerry
66gtk,
Mine feels like it's in the front end, too. At 55, it feels like a shimmy, at 60, it's more like a vibration. At 60, I would put it in the "not safe to drive at this speed" category.
I've had the tires balanced three times in the last week (three different places). It has made only a minor difference. I don't know for a fact how they were balanced, but I would guess hub centric.
I've only had the car a couple of weeks, and I do suspect the car sat for a relatively long time. The radials on the car are pretty cheap (Nitto N470). I'm wondering if they have flat spots. Is there any way to tell for sure?
BTW, I have a 66 K-Kode GT, too. It has what I believe are original styled steel wheels, and it drives extremely well.
Kerry
Hi all,
I'm new here (at least as far as posting on the board), and I have a problem I need help with. I just bought '65 K convertible and the car is just beautiful. The only problem is at 60 mph the car vibrates badly. I've had the alignment checked, the wheels balanced and the inner and outer wheel bearings replaced (which I doubt needed replacing), but the car still vibrates at 60. I now believe it's either the wheels or the tires. The tires are radials, and the car has the period correct styled steel wheels. At this point I suspect the wheels are out-of-round, but I would prefer to not go to the expense of replacing them if that turned out not to be the problem (again). Does anyone here have any insight to this problem?
Thanks,
Kerry
