Hi, Bondo,

I don't think there was a torque spec provided for any of the suspension parts in the '34 manual, as they didn't even provide torque specs for some of the engine fasteners which all had torque specs given in the later manuals.

There are torque charts available for the different grades of standard capscrews, published by the manufacturers, which can be found on the internet with some looking. It should be reasonable to extrapolate from those charts according to thread diameter and number of threads per inch.

If you'd like the best possible source of information, tho, go to 'www.practicalmachinist.com', the machinists' internet board, and put in the query there, giving the thread sizes and the nature of the parts, which should offer a good idea as to the probable grade of steel, and heat-treat used in those parts.

Personally......and this is a purely personal opinion, to be sure......I think you and your wife would be much happier with the car, in the long run, if you keep it basically original, and concentrate on those relatively subtle up-grades which can be done without cutting/welding anything.

Restoring the suspension and braking systems will be quite a job, but at least its straight-forward and 'do-able' if you are willing to take the time to be a 'perfectionist' about all the little details involved. Yes, that will be a lot of hard work, but, once done, you will be very pleased with the 'feel' of the car on the road.

There are a number of '34 cars around which are in service as 'everyday road cars' and are far superior in that context to the generality of new small cars.

They don't get the fuel milage of the new cracker-box cars, nor are they quite as luxurious as a new Mercedes class car, but they are good practical, comfortable cars. (that said, remember its a Plymouth, and not a Packard)

The major advantage in taking the time to do a proper correct rebuild of the various systems on one of these cars is that, unlike the newer cars, once correctly done up, and given reasonable maintenence, that '34 will still be running reliably long after the new cars have become unrepairably dysfunctional.

The primary difference is that the new cars are designed for a short life-span, whereas your '34 is literally 'timeless' if properly maintained.

Fitting a '55-'59 Dodge 6 engine, preferably one which has built up to the traditional 'medium road engine' spec, and getting rid of the 'death trap' free-wheeling gearbox in favour of a standard '34 box, will give you a really nice everyday use car with a relative minimum of cost/time/effort.

Again as a purely personal opinion, I'd think it would be best for you ask your wife what she would like about the '34, in terms of making it a comfortable car for her. For example, I had to take out the front seat assembly, and make up 1" thick hardwood spacer blocks to raise the seat that little bit to make the driving position more comfortable for me. It may take a bit of experimentation to find a seat height which is reasonably comfortable for both of you.

She may have strong feelings about having really nice new upholstery and nice carpetting in the car. The somewhat 'mildewy' smell of old mohair upholstery will bother some women badly.....it does for me, anyway, and I have been negotiating with a local automotive upholsterer to have our '34 completely re-done inside.

You could, if you wish, tell your wife, for me, that she will be really pleased with the way the '34 feels and handles, once everything about it is done up correctly.

Explain to her about 'floating' the gear changes once the car is moving, so she needn't use the clutch except to start from rest. (someone accustomed to new-ish small cars will tend to over-speed the older engines in the gears.....explain about relative torque at lower engine speeds, and the relative ease/comfort of shifting at lower road speeds, allowing the engine's torque to pull you up to your chosen road speed smoothly.....as compared to the fast buzzing engines of newer small cars, which don't develop much torque until they are howling up near their red line)

You do have all my sympathy for the tedious hard work you'll need to do to get the '34's suspension, steering, and brakes into truly optimal.....as new.....condition.

Just remember that you're undoing 70-ish years of neglect, and the hard work in taking the time to be exactly 'right' in every little detail will be repaid many times over when your wife and your friends say 'why, this is like a new car, only better'.

cheers

Carla