Buffalo Dude

I'll be adding a dewitts Al radiator and dual spals, so I was thinking of adding a spreader bar too. I've seen many, and I had a topic from a while back that is lost from the forum server change. So, how effective are they? Yay or nay?

Graemeinvette

I fitted mine over the winter and have yet to test it out, but the mechanics of it would show that it has to help.

Eddie 70

I added one to my convertible and I can tell you it does make a difference. The whole car seems more solid with the bar in place. To me, it was worth the $90 or so when I bought mine.

Spreader Bar How To Link

GUSTO14

I installed one from VB&P in my '73 back in the early 90's as an all out effort to improve my cars autocross manners. I did this along with lowering, upgrading to complete F-41 suspension, polyurethane bushings and new shocks. When I installed the spreader bar, I set the adjustment with the weight on the wheels. At this point I could quite easily twist the bar about the Heim joints by hand. I later lifted the car (front wheels off the ground with suspension fully extended) via the front crossmember. I happened to grab the bar and noticed that I could no longer twist it by hand; it was under that much tension. I would not have believed that the front suspension flexed that much, but apparently it does.

I guess you could always measure the distance between the two top a-arm cross shafts with the weight on the wheels and then pick it up via the crossmember and measure it again. I would not be surprised to see half an inch or more…

Good luck… GUSTO

Wrencher

Going by seat of the pants feel, I'd say definitely yes. Since front frame flex is such a documented problem, It can't help but work. All you have to do is take a look at how high up the upper control arm mounts are, basically unsupported, to see how it would be a good thing. Let us know what you think after it's mounted. I sure like mine.

Hans

Van Steel

Spreader Bars are worth the money.

norvalwilhelm

I can actually change the camber setting by just adjusting the bar. I too feel they are worth the money.

enkeivette

Are spreader bars sorta like strut tower braces? If so don't they get in the way of the fan?

MILO

I believe the ONLY way to get them on is with an electrical fan.

SmokedTires

Yes. You can get the weld up version if you're still running a mechanical fan.

The biggest thing for me was eliminating the flexing that happens whenever you drive your vette that eventually leads to cracks.

Mark70

I have a Guldstrand spreader bar installed, with a mechanical fan. It was a close fit, but it does work. I believe that a big block car must use an electric fan, but it's not a problem with the small blocks.

BTW, I like my bar!!

Batsy74

Is this a bolt in mod or does it need to be welded in?

Shark Racer

If you have electrical fans, it's a bolt-in affair. With engine-driven fans, you need to weld it.

-Steve

Wrencher

They'll fit with a stock fan on a SB (runs under the fan hub), but no way on a BB. It's just as well, because most BB (including mine with A/C) cars barely stayed cool on real hot days, like here in NorCal during the summer, so the alloy rad/electric fan setup is the way to go. I've kept all the stock stuff, but I doubt I'll ever go back.

Hans

GUSTO14

Once the "ears" are welded on, it is bolted into the car. The kit can be purchased either pre-welded or un-welded. The pre-welded is for those cars where fan interference is not an issue. On vehicles wanting to retain the stock fan, an un-welded kit is available. This is the one I used. I inserted the flat bracket and mocked up the "ears" so that the bar fit between my fan and crank pulley. I marked them and took them to a shop to weld. Painted everything, reinstalled them in the car and added the cross bar. Looks good, works well… and lasts a very long time…
GUSTO

I'm Batman

I think Norval needs to make his bar as a kit. That thing is sweet. Heck, I could make the brackets...I just don't have the equipment, taps and bar stock to make the bar.

Twin_Turbo

you can buy the bar, 5/8th threaded sleeves are sold in almost any imaginable length, check out speedwaymotors.

Buffalo Dude

Awesome responses, I'll be purchasing one in the near future. I know VBP and Guldstrand sell them, preferences on manufacturer?

SmokedTires

VBP is a forum supporting vendor

Wrencher

Their stuff is great. Got their smart struts through VanSteel on a group deal

Hans