Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » PORK CHOPS (Used with GMC torsion bars)
| PORK CHOPS [message #232337] |
Thu, 05 December 2013 18:15  |
Michael Bozardt
Messages: 367
Registered: January 2007
Location: College Station, Texas
Karma: 1
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Forgotten where I got this but here it is for your info.
1978 GMC motorhome torsion bar has a 23 degree pork chop
1974 GMC uses a 28 degree pork chop
1976-77 GMC motorhomes have 25-30 degree pork chops.
Surprised me-I thought they were all the same.
For the new owner, the pork chop is a device the torsion bar fits into on one end. The other end is attached to the lower control arm. This item is shaped like, well, a pork chop.
Correct me if any of this is incorrect.
Michael Bozardt
74 GMC M/H "Yellow Rose"
76 GMC M/H "Puff"
73 M151A2 "MUTT"
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| Re: PORK CHOPS [message #232346 is a reply to message #232337] |
Thu, 05 December 2013 18:49  |
Bullitthead
Messages: 1411
Registered: November 2013
Karma: 5
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You didn't list the 1973...Chuck Boyd just sent me a torsion bar because I went to adjust mine up and found the right side already adjusted up and the bar was curved. The left side had plenty of adjustment left. Hope the chop wasn't replaced with a different one of the wrong angle! Do you have any info about the 1973 model?
Terry Kelpien
ASE Master Technician
73 Glacier 260
Smithfield, Va.
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| Re: [GMCnet] PORK CHOPS [message #232351 is a reply to message #232349] |
Thu, 05 December 2013 19:26 |
Bullitthead
Messages: 1411
Registered: November 2013
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Emery,
Which chop version would give more lift to the front end? Can any of them be put on any of the different years?
Terry Kelpien
ASE Master Technician
73 Glacier 260
Smithfield, Va.
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| Re: [GMCnet] More info on PORK CHOPS [message #232354 is a reply to message #232350] |
Thu, 05 December 2013 19:44 |
Bullitthead
Messages: 1411
Registered: November 2013
Karma: 5
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Senior Member |
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"The 25/30 referenced in the parts book may have been an error as my other source shows that it was 25.5 deg. 25/30 deg. does not make sense."
25 degrees and 30 minutes would be 25.5 degrees. Maybe that's what they meant.
Terry Kelpien
ASE Master Technician
73 Glacier 260
Smithfield, Va.
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| Re: [GMCnet] More info on PORK CHOPS [message #232359 is a reply to message #232355] |
Thu, 05 December 2013 20:07 |
Ken Henderson
Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA
Karma: 9
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I presume everyone's aware that JimK has adjustable pork chops that can be
set to 'most any angle, in 1.5* increments. It probably would be a lot
easier to find those than "other angle" OEM porkchops.
The same company that makes those, Suspension Max, prototyped an adapter to
enable us to use the later model GMC pickups' torsion bars without
modifications to our coaches. I don't know whether they went beyond
prototyping after I discovered the blown out socket on my ower A-arm, but
they would probably be amenable to making some if there was any demand.
Ken H.
Americus, GA
'76 X-Birchaven w/Cad500/Howell EFI & EBL
www.gmcwipersetc.com
On Thu, Dec 5, 2013 at 8:50 PM, Ken Henderson <hend4800@bellsouth.net>wrote:
> A while back, I needed Emery's description in terms I could comprehend, so
> I interpreted it step-by-step into this:
>
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g5964-pork-chop-measurement.html
>
>
> Ken H
>
> On Thu, Dec 5, 2013 at 8:14 PM, Emery Stora <emerystora@mac.com> wrote:
>
>> The ones out of an older Olds Toronado will work. They have a bushing in
>> the torsion bar opening. You can just knock out the bushing and the GMC
>> torsion bar will fit just fine. I just don't know what angle the auto ones
>> came in but you might find something at a junkyard that will work.
>>
>> I found some additional information in my files:
>>
> ...
>
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Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
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| Re: [GMCnet] More info on PORK CHOPS [message #232379 is a reply to message #232370] |
Thu, 05 December 2013 22:40 |
Bullitthead
Messages: 1411
Registered: November 2013
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I think I learned that back in 8th grade geography class...bet they don't teach that anymore...latitude and longitude...what's that? asked a college grad the other day. She couldn't find out from her cellphone! Probably have to take the Coast Guard Auxiliary navigation class to get that information now...
Terry Kelpien
ASE Master Technician
73 Glacier 260
Smithfield, Va.
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| Re: [GMCnet] PORK CHOPS [message #232380 is a reply to message #232376] |
Thu, 05 December 2013 22:50 |
Bullitthead
Messages: 1411
Registered: November 2013
Karma: 5
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Glad to hear they are all interchangeable...I hope my problem is just a weak torsion bar and I don't have to go hunting pork chops.
Terry Kelpien
ASE Master Technician
73 Glacier 260
Smithfield, Va.
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| Re: [GMCnet] More info on PORK CHOPS [message #232387 is a reply to message #232359] |
Thu, 05 December 2013 23:55 |
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Richard RV
Messages: 631
Registered: July 2012
Location: Full-timer for 12 years, ...
Karma: -17
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| Ken Henderson wrote on Thu, 05 December 2013 19:07 |
I presume everyone's aware that JimK has adjustable pork chops that can be
set to 'most any angle, in 1.5* increments. It probably would be a lot
easier to find those than "other angle" OEM porkchops.
The same company that makes those, Suspension Max, prototyped an adapter to
enable us to use the later model GMC pickups' torsion bars without
modifications to our coaches. I don't know whether they went beyond
prototyping after I discovered the blown out socket on my ower A-arm, but
they would probably be amenable to making some if there was any demand.
|
Ken, when you say without modifications what exactly do you mean? I seem to recall reading something about the torsion bars on the pickups being inches shorter than those on the GMC. Are there different length pickup torsion bars, or would the cross member have to be moved forward/modified? The latter would be a problem with my exhaust as the Y wouldn't allow the cross member to be moved more than an inch or two forward.
Richard
'77 Birchaven TZE...777;
'76 Palm Beach under construction;
‘76 Edgemont waiting its turn
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| Re: [GMCnet] More info on PORK CHOPS [message #232401 is a reply to message #232387] |
Fri, 06 December 2013 05:00 |
Ken Henderson
Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA
Karma: 9
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Richard,
The adapter is basically a hex socket to accept the larger hex end of the
truck Torsion Bar (TB) with a hex extension to fit into the smaller socket
in the GMC A-arm. The adapter's socket length makes up for the 3-3/4"
shorter truck TB's length (GMC TB's are 58" long, truck TB's 54-1/4",
IIRC). The length of the hex extension on the adapter reaches into the
stronger area of the A-arm socket where it passes through the vertical
parts of the A-arm, thus reducing, probably eliminating, the need for
reinforcement of the socket. The truck TB's are available in a wide range
of torsional ratings, as opposed to the 4000 & 4200 ft-lb (IIRC) ratings
for the GMC (I don't know what the deflections are for those torques).
While I've never had one in my hands, I was very impressed with the photo
sent to me by the owner/designer of Suspension Max (who also impressed me
during our discussions).
Ken H.
On Fri, Dec 6, 2013 at 12:55 AM, Richard <GMC77Birchaven@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> Ken, when you say without modifications what exactly do you mean? I seem
> to recall reading something about the torsion bars on the pickups being
> inches shorter than those on the GMC. Are there different length pickup
> torsion bars, or would the cross member have to be moved forward/modified?
> The latter would be a problem with my exhaust as the Y wouldn't allow the
> cross member to be moved more than an inch or two forward.
>
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Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
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| Re: [GMCnet] More info on PORK CHOPS [message #232424 is a reply to message #232387] |
Fri, 06 December 2013 09:03 |
Mr ERFisher
Messages: 7117
Registered: August 2005
Karma: 2
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Senior Member |
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And
Then there these
http://www.mannystransmission.biz/products/
For twisted torsion bars
FREE WIFI @ Mickey D
On Dec 5, 2013, at 9:55 PM, Richard <GMC77Birchaven@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>
> Ken Henderson wrote on Thu, 05 December 2013 19:07
>> I presume everyone's aware that JimK has adjustable pork chops that can be
>> set to 'most any angle, in 1.5* increments. It probably would be a lot
>> easier to find those than "other angle" OEM porkchops.
>>
>> The same company that makes those, Suspension Max, prototyped an adapter to
>> enable us to use the later model GMC pickups' torsion bars without
>> modifications to our coaches. I don't know whether they went beyond
>> prototyping after I discovered the blown out socket on my ower A-arm, but
>> they would probably be amenable to making some if there was any demand.
>
>
> Ken, when you say without modifications what exactly do you mean? I seem to recall reading something about the torsion bars on the pickups being inches shorter than those on the GMC. Are there different length pickup torsion bars, or would the cross member have to be moved forward/modified? The latter would be a problem with my exhaust as the Y wouldn't allow the cross member to be moved more than an inch or two forward.
>
> Richard
> --
> '77 Birchaven TZE...777
> _______________________________________________
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| Re: [GMCnet] More info on PORK CHOPS [message #232527 is a reply to message #232401] |
Sat, 07 December 2013 00:29 |
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Richard RV
Messages: 631
Registered: July 2012
Location: Full-timer for 12 years, ...
Karma: -17
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| Ken Henderson wrote on Fri, 06 December 2013 04:00 |
Richard,
The adapter is basically a hex socket to accept the larger hex end of the
truck Torsion Bar (TB) with a hex extension to fit into the smaller socket
in the GMC A-arm. The adapter's socket length makes up for the 3-3/4"
shorter truck TB's length (GMC TB's are 58" long, truck TB's 54-1/4",
IIRC). The length of the hex extension on the adapter reaches into the
stronger area of the A-arm socket where it passes through the vertical
parts of the A-arm, thus reducing, probably eliminating, the need for
reinforcement of the socket. The truck TB's are available in a wide range
of torsional ratings, as opposed to the 4000 & 4200 ft-lb (IIRC) ratings
for the GMC (I don't know what the deflections are for those torques).
While I've never had one in my hands, I was very impressed with the photo
sent to me by the owner/designer of Suspension Max (who also impressed me
during our discussions).
Ken H.
|
Well, that sounds like a great solution, Ken. One of those slapping the forehead why didn't I think of that things. I imagine there's a ready market for them. What else is needed to get the Torsion Zocket Extensions (TZE) off of the the drawing board and into production?
Richard
'77 Birchaven TZE...777;
'76 Palm Beach under construction;
‘76 Edgemont waiting its turn
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| Re: [GMCnet] More info on PORK CHOPS [message #232528 is a reply to message #232424] |
Sat, 07 December 2013 00:33 |
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Richard RV
Messages: 631
Registered: July 2012
Location: Full-timer for 12 years, ...
Karma: -17
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Senior Member |
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Gene,
I didn't see anything in that link for twisted torsion bars. What were you referring to?
While we're on the topic of torsion bars...my passenger side torsion bar has a bit of a bow to it. I didn't measure how far out it is, some middling fraction of an inch. Is that normal? At what point would the deflection be cause for concern?
Richard
'77 Birchaven TZE...777;
'76 Palm Beach under construction;
‘76 Edgemont waiting its turn
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| Re: [GMCnet] More info on PORK CHOPS [message #232544 is a reply to message #232533] |
Sat, 07 December 2013 09:32 |
James Hupy
Messages: 6806
Registered: May 2010
Karma: -62
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Senior Member |
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Gene & All, the OEM torsion bars are losing their spring tension and are
taking on a permanent twist. When they were made the hex's were parallel
either each other. Now we find, more often than not, that they have
twisted in long service, and are no longer as produced. The OEM pork chops
come in three configurations where their are slight differences in the
socket orientation. When the bars twist enough, none of the OEM pork chops
will index properly, even with the longer bolts, the pork chop hits the
inside of the cross member before ride height is achieved. Manny has
produced a 35 degree pork chop, and durability testing is underway. It is a
band aid approach to what should be obvious. THE TORSION BARS NEED TO BE
REPLACED. Development is also underway to make use of the late model GM 1
ton torsion bars which are stronger but shorter. Prototypes are in use for
evaluation purposes. After the bugs are ironed out, expect to see a
retrofit kit for those as well. We will keep these old heaps on the safe
road for a long time to come. We just don't want to hurt anyone in the
process, by rushing a untested product to use.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Or
78 GMC Royale 403
On Dec 7, 2013 3:00 AM, "gene Fisher" <mr.erfisher@gmail.com> wrote:
> if you read the product list
>
> down near the bottom there are porkchops listed.
> Manny has made some to correct for twisted torson bars.
>
> give him a call
>
> gene
>
>
>
> On Fri, Dec 6, 2013 at 10:33 PM, Richard <GMC77Birchaven@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> >
> >
> > Mr ERFisher wrote on Fri, 06 December 2013 08:03
> > > And
> > > Then there these
> > > http://www.mannystransmission.biz/products/
> > >
> > > For twisted torsion bars
> >
> >
> > Gene,
> > I didn't see anything in that link for twisted torsion bars. What were
> > you referring to?
> >
> > While we're on the topic of torsion bars...my passenger side torsion bar
> > has a bit of a bow to it. I didn't measure how far out it is, some
> > middling fraction of an inch. Is that normal? At what point would the
> > deflection be cause for concern?
> >
> > Richard
> > --
> > '77 Birchaven TZE...777
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
> >
>
>
>
> --
> Gene Fisher -- 74-23,77PB/ore/ca
> “Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today --- give him a URL and
> -------
> http://gmcmotorhome.info/
> Alternator Protection Cable
> http://gmcmotorhome.info/APC.html
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