Installed bbc into my chevelle and front suspension stays fully extended.
Prior owner rebuilt frt end with poly bushings.Tried loosening all bolts and let it sit for 2 weeks now and still cant move it . I even stacked some old bbc heads on top of motor and still can't move it easily.
Possible wrong springs ? Need help !
thank you!

if the suspension looks to be at it's highest point, than it's probably the springs (rates are too high, or physically too tall)

if the car is sitting somewhere midway in it's suspension travel, than it is probably bound up on something. I have never heard poly bushings preventing a car from moving. they can mess up alignment angles, but would still allow movement.

A big block should have dropped that suspension overnight, it did when I put the 454 in my 70 8 years ago. I can't really push down a whole lot on my car's suspension either, but it still compressed. You may need new springs or check and see if there are any kind of spacers between the spring coils.

Check to make sure the springs are rotated to fit properly in spring pockets.

roll the car back and forth

Your tag line says the car is under construction so I have to ask: did you drop the engine into a basically complete car or did you drop the engine into a bare frame?

roll the car back and forth

What would that accomplish?

Your tag line says the car is under construction so I have to ask: did you drop the engine into a basically complete car or did you drop the engine into a bare frame?



What would that accomplish?

would allow the front wheels to "step out" therefore allowing all the weight to be placed on the springs instead...happens on every car when you raise on a lift and then lower it back down,,as you ,move the car it will settle down from a 1" to 3"

What would that accomplish?

would allow the front wheels to "step out" therefore allowing all the weight to be placed on the springs instead...happens on every car when you raise on a lift and then lower it back down,,as you ,move the car it will settle down from a 1" to 3"

What he said.

for the analytical people:

rolling the car allows the suspension to return to it's proper height as the alignment angles (particularly camber) go off. any independent suspension will usually have excessive positive camber that will add 1-3" of height to the car.

[quote=Rich-L79;2135144]Your tag line says the car is under construction so I have to ask: did you drop the engine into a basically complete car or did you drop the engine into a bare frame?

The car has no interior,electrical system,or fuel system right now.

would allow the front wheels to "step out" therefore allowing all the weight to be placed on the springs instead...happens on every car when you raise on a lift and then lower it back down,,as you ,move the car it will settle down from a 1" to 3"
The car has never been on a lift.

The car has no interior,electrical system,or fuel system right now.

Okay, still, assuming it has a complete body including the front clip?

The car has never been on a lift.

Yes, but when it had no engine it was probably sitting at the top of the suspension travel. Roll it forward and backward as suggested and see if it makes any difference.

When I put the engine/tranny (383/700R4) in the frame the suspension did absolutley nothing. You had to jump on it to get it to do anything. However, when I put the body on the frame here recently the entire frame squatted with the 800lbs. of weight. Now when I push it in and out of the shop and it hits the various bumps the suspension acts normal.

Not really much help other than I think it should have done something being that mine did and the engine is about 200lbs. less weight.

[quote=Rich-L79;2136997]Okay, still, assuming it has a complete body including the front clip?
Yes the complete front clip is on the car
http://i362.photobucket.com/albums/oo70/BB70Chevelle/jimmyscar042.jpg
Pic was taken when we had sockets propped between the A arm and frame and let it sit for 2 weeks like that. But soon as we took the sockets out the suspension want back to being fully extended. Ill rock the car back and forth though and see what happens.