I'm building my first hot rod, a 42 ford pickup. I've got a 40 Ford frame, and a 60-66 ecoline front axle, which, if anything. will be used for the spindles and front brakes. I also have a 72 Pontiac Catalina, which has a strong 400 cid 2bbl,automatic, all stock. I bought the car for the drivetrain for the hot rod. Is it best to use everything(motor, trans, rearend) form the same car? I would think so, cuz eveything is desgined to work together. I think the rear end in the Pontiac is coil spring. I know MAS Racing Products sells a tube axle kit which will accept the econoline spindles. I think the bolt patterns are different from the econoline to the Pontiac, but I'd probably re drill the ford drums so I have 4 matching wheels. Anyone with advice or some input would be helpful.I have a lot of friends with different ideas on what to do, but I think it would be a lot easier to use as much from the Pontiac as posible, especially for repair parts down the road. I would not mind keeping the Pontiac and cruisin it for a while, But I can't afford both projects. Thanks!!
if you are going to run fenders, you may want to use '77 and older GM disc brakes, they will fit the spindles with 1/4" spacers. The oil seal is CR Industries #17406. I have a pattern for caliper brackets.
I'm not running fenders, but wouldn't mind running with disc brakes for safety's sake. Would the front brakes from the 72 pontiac work? That would give me the same bolt pattern front and back (5x5) The Pontiac is a B body (same as an Impala). Thanks!
I think the Pontiac rearend might be kinda wide for a rod, but other than that it sounds like a plan.