TCI Engineering Model A Signature Chassis - Grand Prize Chassis: Part II

It's worth repeating that there are two different check valves: Wilwood's 10-pound drum brake check valve is red (as shown here at the rear), and the 2-pound disc brake version is blue.

TCI Engineering frequently uses Currie 9-inch rearends. This is the 9-Plus Hot Rod housing, built for reliable street performance applications, which feature the early style "round back" cover.

Above, the bars for the four-link rear suspension are being measured. The photo at the right shows the four-link bars installed and the rear sway bar in the process of being installed.

As we mentioned before, the stainless brake lines are assembled and installed by hand. A/N fittings are available-and will be used on the giveaway chassis. Here the Wilwood proportioning valve has been installed on the rail of another Model A chassis.

That bar running through the housing is slid into place during welding to keep everything aligned. After the welded rearend has cooled, if that bar slides in and out smoothly, then it's perfectly straight.

Now the sway bar has been installed. The sway bar runs through the framerail and attaches to the front end of the arm. At the other end, a heim joint attaches the arm to a bracket plate off the rear axle where the four-bar is mounted. TCI Engineering uses a unique step stud that is 5/8 inch at both ends, with a 3/8-inch pin on one end to fasten the heim joint.

The TCI Engineering All-American coilover shocks are about to be installed. TCI Engineering was one of the first companies to make a coilover specifically for street rod aapplications. Introduced in the '80s, the All-Americans are still used on TCI Engineering chassis.

At the base of the coilovers, washers must be placed on both sides of the bushing. If you forget, this is explained in the installation instructions. Also, notice the spacer on the left.