The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop AMC Pacer IFS experts come in here please!!!!!!!!!

First off...I want to thank all you guys that have responded to my posts over in the newbie room. But now I would really like some advice from you street rodders. I have recently purchased this 46 chevy truck with a 350/350 tranny for $8500. http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e319/paintman27/IMG_3354.jpg http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e319/paintman27/IMG_3339.jpg with the original intention of just dismanteling it and doing a total repaint. The truck was built with an AMC Pacer IFS. As soon as the owner told me this I asked him about parts availability. He assured me that it was easy to find parts anywhere for this front end as alot of old school street rodders use this front end. After trolling around on the net I have come to find out that people are in fact having a hard time finding parts. I guess I should have followed my gut feeling..
My question is.....is this in fact true or has someone started making new aftermarket parts, such as ball joints, bushings, rack and pinion etc. Furthermore since I will have this truck completly apart would it not make sense to just put a good mustangII kit under it. But then would'nt that lead to new motor mounts, steering column, drive shaft etc. etc. And of course a whole lot more $$$$$$$
I must tell you though that the truck drives perfectly straight and handles really well. Does it make good sense to tear what seems to be a perfectly good front end out of this truck? But if I can't get parts in the future..... I would really appreciate your expert advice. Man I wish I had known about this forums 2 months ago

Kanter Auto Parts list front end parts for Pacers from 1975 to 1980 which is probably about as many years that model was around.
Shouldn't be a problem finding stuff with them.

I hear all the time about parts being hard to come by....from what I've seen so far they're still out there ,it just takes awhile to turn em up...Mine has been a long term project,when I started mine they were a little easier to come by...I bought a complete rebuild kit from PST and rebuilt it all...also a rebuilt power rack from Auto zone along with all new brake componets...there are AMC sites to help with parts...one close to me is American Parts Depot in West Manchester Ohio...He has about everything for the pacer on his website...A little pricey though but available.......But how often are you gonna be replacing front end parts...If your concerned... stock pile them now..My concern for mine was getting it low enough...I learned from WeBeOld that they do make lowering coils for the Pacer and through research on the web found schematics for lowering plates to drop the spindle about a 1 1/2".I had a friend make the plates in his machine shop and have them installed...my two cents would to be if you like they way it drives now why change it at this point....run it til it breaks and if you have problems getting parts change it then..... thats my plan......Dave

P.S. good looking truck

My panel came with a pacer front end in it.It was welded in and was right on so i left it in. You can find parts BUT parts are all high$$$$. I think i will go old school and cut the springs to lower it.

Maybe find an AMC forum ? They would have parts sources I would think. Anyhow, if everything is working OK, I'd be inclined to leave it alone

I keep a stock of Pacer fronts for AD pickup projects. It is at least a thousand times better than ANY Mustang II front. I keep the drum brake ones for my projects and use the disc ones on customers. Rather than shell out big bucks for Pacer replacement parts I weld up the factory ball joint holes and drill new ones in the upper A-arms to use Monte Carlo ball joints and weld a sleeve in the bottom arm to use the Chrysler screw in ball joint. These joints have the correct length, diameter, and taper to fit the Pacer spindle. The disc calipers and rotors are the same as Ford and can be used with little modification. The caster/camber adjusting ecentrics can be replaced by Chevy pickup units. Most rebuilders still rebuild the R&P, either manual or power, but you usually have to send yours in. The other front end rebuild parts, like bushings and tie rod ends are over the counter items if you buy them by SIZE. The big parts store chains have just warm bodies as counter people so find a small independent one with people that are racers or do their own work and they will find your part and not give a darn what year or engine or trans, or even what brand it is. This is getting to be the hardest part of a job anymore.

Hey thanx everybody you guys have been great!!!!!!!! I feel alot better about my purchase now http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e319/paintman27/IMG_3354.jpg
I really did'nt want to get involved with putting a different IFS as I have limited welding skills, and the truck rides perfectly straight and feels real good in the seat of my pants (if ya know what i mean)!
The only other question I have.... is there any way to tell what year front end I have or are they all pretty much the same? I see on the Kanter site they say there rebuild kit fits all 75-80 pacers. $400 is alot of money to shell out only to find out 1/2 the pieces don't fit. I do have power steering if that means anything with dating it.

I don't have advice about your Pacer front end...but I looked at the pic of your truck....and YES, you should feel good about your purchase, it's a great looking truck! If it looks that good and runs and drives real nice like you say, then I think you did well!

Love how it looks like an old shop truck. SO cool!

Don't know how to tell the year of the clip, but you can buy the Kanter parts individually, you don't have to buy everything in the kit if you don't need it.
And if its working great, it doesn't really sound like you need anything anyways.
Cheers

I have amc pacer ifs on my 54-3100 and have had for over 25 years and in 2006 it started blowing seals in the rack and replace it 4 times but the problem seem to be the pressure in the pump so i got a valve from Jegs and have no problems since. but if i had it to do over i would go with the Mustang IFS. rock auto have the parts. i did have problem getting the upper ball joint ?? maybe have been lower but they are available from auto zone and o'reilies.

I have a 56 F100 with a 77 Pacer front end. I'm in need of a brake upgrade. Would like to replace stock rotors and calipers but no one makes an aftermarket kit for a 77 pacer. Can you tell me what make and model Ford caliper and rotor works on the AMC Pacer spindle? Thanks

Calipers and rotors should be available for the Pacer for that year model. I had a 1976 Pacer with front disc brakes. The problem might be finding the brackets that the calipers attach to. May have to dig some in an old salvage yard some where for those.

Just a quick glance at Rock auto show the pads, rotors and calipers available. Just would have to find the mounting brackets for the calipers.

Yes, I was aware that the stock rotor and caliper are available but looking to switch to something bigger and newer. Would like to put 13" rotors and 2 piston calipers. Got a big block in the truck (532). 11" rotors aren't cutting it. They just heat up and then warp.

Ahh.

I would try American parts depot in west Manchester ohio as a starting point.....if they cant help I bet they could point you in the right direction........dave

Thanks I will give them a call tomorrow.

I hate to resurrect such an old thread, but I tried to send a pm and for some reason I couldn't. Coilover, I live in Texas about 2 hours from Plano and was wondering if you were still into the Pacer front ends. I am looking into using one for my '52 and was wondering if either you would be interested in selling one or if you could give a direction to go in as far as finding one. It seems as though they just arent all that common. I've checked the usual places, craigslist, ebay, etc. and can't really turn anything up. Thanks

Rusty, you need 4 or 5 posts before you can send or receive PMs.

Rusty,
For all intents and purposes the Pacer front end is extinct. The way I got the last few I got was to call a car crusher and find out where they were working. I then went to that location and offered both the forklift operator and the yard owner a hundred bucks each to set a Pacer aside and let me pull the front frame clip. The only one I have left is on a complete chassis that also has a Lincoln independent rear suspension (with springs, not air bags). Makes an AD truck into one that corners like a Porsche and rides like a living room couch. Doesn't do a darn thing about the air noise at high speed so it's still a truck.