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PostPosted: Tue Apr 17, 2018 3:34 pm 
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998cc
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Joined: Fri Jan 28, 2011 1:19 pm
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Location: Adelaide
Hi All,
My 60’s K has hydrolastic suspension but I’m thinking of changing to coil overs and hi lo’s.
Can this be done? Should it be done?
Probably a bit of a noob question.


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PostPosted: Tue Apr 17, 2018 5:27 pm 
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Location: near Baulkham Hills, NSW
(gets popcorn)....
If it ain't broke, I wouldn't 'fix' it. Beyond adding shocks to the front and comp hydro bumpstops to the rear.
My 'Matic is this same setup, rides well and handles too.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R. :mrgreen:


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PostPosted: Tue Apr 17, 2018 5:57 pm 
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1275cc
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Joined: Sun Apr 29, 2012 1:19 pm
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Location: Wollongong, NSW
Coil overs are very different to coils..

The "coil overs" have springs over the shocks and mount to the front shock mount and rear shock tower. These places aren't designed to take the load of the car.
Attachment:
image (1).jpg


The coil replacement cones go in the subframe in place of the old rubber cones or bags.
Attachment:
image (2).jpg


I put brand new rubber cones and shocks on my car, along with adjustable hi-los, lower arms and tie bars. Much better than the 50 year old stuff on there before, and it feels more comfortable than my 2010 Mazda!


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PostPosted: Tue Apr 17, 2018 7:11 pm 
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What is wrong with the existing Hydro?


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PostPosted: Tue Apr 17, 2018 8:23 pm 
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998cc
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Great info. All the existing hydro infrastructure needs to be replaced. I’m at the point of removing the sub frames and reconditioning it all. Now’s the opportunity to consider upgrading or replacing.


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PostPosted: Tue Apr 17, 2018 10:02 pm 
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We converted our K to dry, and my Deluxe will go the same way. I was never happy with the way the car sat on hydro. Matt Read's hilos have a different profile to most and are nearly as good as hydrolastic for comfort.

One of the steel hydro lines actually failed and started leaking as the car was being disassembled... I like having one less system with the potential to fail and disable the car I rely on day-to-day, and it certainly doesn't ride any worse!

Then again, I prefer rod change gearboxes :P

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PostPosted: Tue Apr 17, 2018 11:00 pm 
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I'm a big hydro fan. One of my projects is fitting Koni adjustable dampers to the rear, discarding the helper springs and modifying the trailing arm mounts to suit. This includes adjustable dampers at the front and the comp bumpstops as mentioned by the good Doctor. Plus adjustable lower control arms & tie rods. Plus fixing the incorrect toe-in at the rear & neg camber brackets. The result should be interesting.

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1967 Cooper S - ready for reg.
1965 Cooper S shell - all painted up, ready for fit out.
1969 Cooper S Mk2. Engine reco WIP
1966 Deluxe- next rustoration!
Mk 2 & XJ6 Jags. Less said the better.


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PostPosted: Wed Apr 18, 2018 8:44 am 
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998cc
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I don't think that will work....

Cheers, Ian


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PostPosted: Wed Apr 18, 2018 9:20 am 
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1071 S wrote:
I don't think that will work....

Cheers, Ian

Me either. I just pulled the back end out of my son's '71 ebay bought clubby and found someone had fitted rear shocks instead of the helper springs. But it had no motor so I dunno if it worked. :roll:
These springs pull the arse down so it sits level, and shocks won't do that.
Now, if you could fit both... but there's no room without performing body surgery.

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PostPosted: Wed Apr 18, 2018 9:43 am 
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Well, we will see. i am yet to be convinced the helper springs do much to lower the arse end: they don't seem all that strong.
My view has been these springs simply prevent the hydro strut from disengaging from the displacer when you happen to jack up the rear wheels.
Fiddling when suspension settings is good fun. Much better than block sanding bodywork!

_________________
1967 Cooper S - ready for reg.
1965 Cooper S shell - all painted up, ready for fit out.
1969 Cooper S Mk2. Engine reco WIP
1966 Deluxe- next rustoration!
Mk 2 & XJ6 Jags. Less said the better.


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PostPosted: Wed Apr 18, 2018 11:28 am 
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Read your PMs ;)

Cheers, Ian


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PostPosted: Wed Apr 18, 2018 3:27 pm 
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Too busy blocking bodywork. Too many projects! :P :P :P

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1967 Cooper S - ready for reg.
1965 Cooper S shell - all painted up, ready for fit out.
1969 Cooper S Mk2. Engine reco WIP
1966 Deluxe- next rustoration!
Mk 2 & XJ6 Jags. Less said the better.


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