Makin' it happen

Post your technical questions and information here.
1970w34
Posts: 208
Joined: Sat May 21, 2011 5:51 pm
TOA Membership Number: 38
Years Owned: 1970 multiple

Re: Makin' it happen

Postby 1970w34 » Wed Sep 20, 2017 10:37 am

The shocks are old GM, probably from the late 1980's and the drums are old Wagner....I've been dragging around parts for 25 years! :lol:

User avatar
Otto Skorzeny
Posts: 1721
Joined: Fri Feb 28, 2014 12:41 pm
TOA Membership Number: 0
Years Owned: 1966 Toronado

Re: Makin' it happen

Postby Otto Skorzeny » Wed Sep 20, 2017 11:21 am

Funny. I saw the silver ones and thought they were KB. That's what I put on my car. Will those old ones be old fashioned, oil filled type or gas charged like new ones?

Do the drums have nice fins like the originals? The AC Delco, Centric, etc. available today have very poorly cast fins that look like crap. They're square instead of rounded, etc.

I also bought one that wasn't even machined properly. A friend of mine who runs an auto shop had to cut an eighth inch or so off the step so that the shoes would seat properly and not be squeezed up against the outer edge of the drum. Stuff today is crap.

1970w34
Posts: 208
Joined: Sat May 21, 2011 5:51 pm
TOA Membership Number: 38
Years Owned: 1970 multiple

Re: Makin' it happen

Postby 1970w34 » Wed Sep 20, 2017 2:36 pm

Hey Otto, I think the shocks are old style oil and the drums are very nice...the discs are also very nice. I try to buy only old USA made parts when I can't obtain or afford NOS.

In the exhaust deoartment I just received some very nice intermediate pipes from Martin Johnson in Manistee MI. He's a great guy to do business with, made my first purchase from him probably 20 years ago!

User avatar
Otto Skorzeny
Posts: 1721
Joined: Fri Feb 28, 2014 12:41 pm
TOA Membership Number: 0
Years Owned: 1966 Toronado

Re: Makin' it happen

Postby Otto Skorzeny » Wed Sep 20, 2017 7:14 pm

I agree about NOS. I have a lot of NOS parts for my Cadillac that are often the same price or even cheaper than new stuff.

I drive my cars as daily transport so having everything factory correct isn't as important as function. The new drums on the Toro don't look as nice as the originals but they do the job at a reasonable price. (if $70 each is reasonable)

If you drive your car a lot, you might want to buy modern gas filled shocks. When I installed all new shocks on my car, the difference was like night and day. The car has very low mileage and the old style shocks weren't worn out or leaking

What's the name of your exhaust guy's company? Can you post his information? Does he do all types of cars?

1970w34
Posts: 208
Joined: Sat May 21, 2011 5:51 pm
TOA Membership Number: 38
Years Owned: 1970 multiple

Re: Makin' it happen

Postby 1970w34 » Wed Sep 20, 2017 8:14 pm

Martin Johnson 231-723-5343.....I've only bought Olds stuff from him but I believe he handles all makes.

Nice guy, good prices, fast service.

User avatar
Otto Skorzeny
Posts: 1721
Joined: Fri Feb 28, 2014 12:41 pm
TOA Membership Number: 0
Years Owned: 1966 Toronado

Re: Makin' it happen

Postby Otto Skorzeny » Thu Sep 21, 2017 5:04 am

What did you pay for your system on the Toro?

I'm sure you've read the threads on this forum about Classic Exhausts hit or miss quality and ridiculous prices.

1970w34
Posts: 208
Joined: Sat May 21, 2011 5:51 pm
TOA Membership Number: 38
Years Owned: 1970 multiple

Re: Makin' it happen

Postby 1970w34 » Thu Sep 21, 2017 7:55 am

You know, I couldn't even tell you what the total is as I've bought so much stuff over the last 25 years. I needed the intermediate pipes because I had used the last two I had on another car recently. The two pipes cost $140 but they are beautiful and exact. I think I paid $100 for a "performance" version of the dual in dual out GT muffler a couple of years back. I think I still have a NOS one around here somewhere but that'll be more for show....if and when I find it :lol:

User avatar
Otto Skorzeny
Posts: 1721
Joined: Fri Feb 28, 2014 12:41 pm
TOA Membership Number: 0
Years Owned: 1966 Toronado

Re: Makin' it happen

Postby Otto Skorzeny » Thu Sep 21, 2017 10:16 am

I've seen posts in the past asking where to buy these and just in case you need them, Steele has rear suspension bushings for the Toronado.

Body to shackle bushings (upper) and shackle to spring bushings (lower).

http://www.steelerubber.com/suspension- ... 70-3345-35

User avatar
Eightballz
Posts: 125
Joined: Mon Sep 27, 2010 2:15 pm
TOA Membership Number: 826
Years Owned: 1970 Olds Toronado GT

Re: Makin' it happen

Postby Eightballz » Sun Sep 24, 2017 11:47 pm

Otto Skorzeny wrote:I've seen posts in the past asking where to buy these and just in case you need them, Steele has rear suspension bushings for the Toronado.

Body to shackle bushings (upper) and shackle to spring bushings (lower).

http://www.steelerubber.com/suspension- ... 70-3345-35


did you ordered them?

i bought the upper an lower bushings, while the lower ones fit perfect the upper bushings are too small.

User avatar
Otto Skorzeny
Posts: 1721
Joined: Fri Feb 28, 2014 12:41 pm
TOA Membership Number: 0
Years Owned: 1966 Toronado

Re: Makin' it happen

Postby Otto Skorzeny » Mon Sep 25, 2017 4:48 am

No. I haven't had to redo my suspension.

Are they too small in diameter or too short? What did you do? What did Steele say about it?

Were you able to find the correct size elsewhere?


Return to “Technical Talk”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 26 guests