I have been searching the site for info about doing some upgrades to my car but maybe I'm looking in the wrong places? I want to change the front suspension so I can put disc brakes on it and I do not want to go with a Mustang II suspension. Next I want to put a 8 3/4 rearend, the entire housing but I can't find anything saying what will fit. Last I want to change it over to a 12 volt system. Can you point me in the right direction.
The stock front suspension is a good independant front in 40's and 50's Mopars. No need for MII or clipping - the shape of this frame makes it difficult to do. There are disc brake conversion kits available - my Dad just installed one on his '55 Plymouth wagon. I'll ask him what the name is. Also, he got two inch lowered springs through Eaton (rear springs as well) - good stuff. Fat Man Fabrications has a kit to put a rack and pinion from a Cavalier in. You want an 8 3/4 rear out of a 'B' Body - there are two widths available, so measure. You will probably have to relocate the spring pads for width and pinion angle. If you would like to know more, e-mail my Dad at ramrod36@earthlink.net or pm him (ramrod36). He has been toying with old Mopars for about 40 years and has lots of knowledge on these. Good luck with your project.
Master Power Brakes http://www.mpbrakes.com/ I sent them my spindles from my 54 Dodge Panel, and they sent me back disc brakes mounted to them. I also got their Universal Firewall mount ***embly http://www.mpbrakes.com/products/product-detail.cfm?product_id=541 and it fit under the dash perfectly. It's a hanging pedal, so it got rid of a lot of brake linkage from the floor. I sold it before I converted it to an automatic, which would have got rid of all the linkage (clutch) as it was falling apart anyway.
The front brake kit that I used on my 55 Plymouth wagon came from AAJ brakes and I am very pleased with it. Instructions were easy to follow and the parts were all there. I bought the deluxe kit which saved a lot of parts chasing. I have talked to AAJ's proprietor, Roger, and he is a great resource for Dodges and Plymouths of the late 50's era. He has at least one 56 Dodge and he knows his stuff. You can get new bushings, king pins and shocks from Kanter Products. I installed all new springs from Eaton Detroit Springs - again great to deal with. The rack & pinion kit from Fatman will work but you may have to make your own mounting brackets. If you are keeping your hemi (please do!) check out the oil pan sump for clearance with the stock steering. I am using a 340 and clearances are close and the engine needed about 3/4 inch offset to the p***enger side - similar to a stock A-Body offset. A late 60's B-Body 8 3/4 will work but there will not be much room for wider tires if that is what you want. If so, use an A-Body rear end which can be upgraded to 4 1/2 inch bolt pattern with Moser axles and rear brakes (backing plates and all) from a Volare or Aspen. Either rear end will require moving the spring mounts. Hope this helps. lc
Plez Help Me Get My Grand Father's Car Running. Does Anyone Know The Correct Gap To Set The Dual Points On A 1955 270 Red Ram Poly ? Ty, Darby
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