I installed a Motordyne 5/16th spacer and 2 lower plenum thermal gaskets yesterday. I am not sure if I adjusted the strut bar properly.

I installed the strut bar spacers, tourqed the 6 bolts and 2 nuts down, and then tried to find the "neutral" tension setting by loosening the center nut to the point that if I went any further it would get harder to turn. From there I increased the tension and raised the bar off the plenum by trying to turn the center nut the recommended 1.7 turns. I couldn't turn it the full 1.7. I got about 1.5 turns before it became too hard to turn any further without applying more pressure than I thought was safe to. Maybe its because I didn't have it loose enough before I tracked how much I turned it. All I know is it doesn't appear to be rubbing the plenum or the hood. I put white grease on the entire strut bar and all it contacts on the hood is the rubber things that it normally contacts.

Installing the thermal gaskets, spacer and throttle body heater was easy but this stupid strut bar has really pissed me off. If I would have known before I removed the strut bar that the right lock nut is reverse threads I would have had the proper starting point. Since I removed the strut bar without loosening it the 1.7 turns that the directions say to, I lost the proper starting point. Basically, I need some reassurance that I installed the strut bar properly. I think I did but I have spent so much time on this that I have lost all confidence in myself.

 

I noticed something strange today. While I was driving in a parking lot I felt a vibration. I was accelerating in second gear. When I let off the gas to slow down I felt a vibration. I'm not sure if it is the plenum rubbing against the strut bar or not. I think I am going to remove the strut bar to see if there are any signs of it rubbing. There also seems to be more vibration near red line with the spacer installed. Although that could be my imagination. It could just be because of the added noise the spacer creates. I think my only option it to remove the strut bar to check for wear marks and go for a ride without it installed to see if it sounds or feels any different. Does anyone here have any other recommendations for me?

 

That sounds like the STB rubbing the plenum. The installation manual shows how to adjust it a couple different ways.

Let me know if you have any questions.
Tony

 

I just checked it and I noticed a wear mark on the drivers side. I loosened the lock nuts on the STB and adjusted it as tight/high as I could without applying too much force. I am going to keep an eye on it to see if that was enough.

Tony, maybe I should install the 4 extra washers that you provided. That may raise the drivers side just enough. I am afraid if I raise the bar too high it will damage the hood. Is that possible with just the washers and spacers you provided?

 

Unless your car has a tolerance stackup way outside the norm you can use them no problem.

 

I installed the washers to see what would happen. With them installed and the bar adjusted there is a large gap between the hood and the quarter panels. I removed the black rubber spacers from the hood but there is still a gap.
I then removed the extra spacers/washers from the drivers side and raised the bar as high it will go. There is still a gap compared to when the strut bar isn't installed but it is minor. I think if I left the rubber hood spacers off it would help eliminate the gap but then the hood and strut bar will probably get scratched.
I am not even sure if there is enough clearance for the plenum with the extra spacers removed!