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53 Belair Project

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Frige, Jul 15, 2009.

  1. Frige
    Joined: Jul 2, 2006
    Posts: 34

    Frige
    Member

    Hey Guys I lurk around here a bit but dont post much. I will try to be better :D

    I need a little help on a 2 door post I have had since I was a kid. I have been rebuilding it for a daily driver. I`m not sure rebuild is the proper term. I put a new drivetrain from a chevy truck that was totaled with only 4 miles on it, Has a fat man front suspension with air bags all around and 4 wheel disk brakes. Has a rear end out of a monte carlo which leeds to my problem.
    I tried to put the fender skirts on and found that thr rear wheels stick out to much. and then with a tape figured the front are pulled in to far. Dang it now what? From flange to flange the front is 53 1/2 and the rear is 61.

    Supose I will have to pull the rear end and narrow it. What a pain and custom axles too.....:eek:
     
  2. BONX
    Joined: Jul 12, 2009
    Posts: 17

    BONX
    Member

    could you just have the wrong backspacing on the wheels?
     
  3. R Pope
    Joined: Jan 23, 2006
    Posts: 3,309

    R Pope
    Member

    Find a Nova rear and swap your Monte one out, much easier and better than shortening.
     
  4. FatDaddy53
    Joined: Apr 14, 2008
    Posts: 466

    FatDaddy53
    Member

    rear should be 58
     
  5. Big Tony
    Joined: Mar 29, 2006
    Posts: 3,588

    Big Tony
    Member

    I have the same problem with my fiddie fo, the Ford 8 inch is about an inch to wide and my skirts rub just when it loads onto one side or the other.... not worth pulling and narrowing so i just do not run the skirts anymore, but in your case do it like you want it now or it may bother you down the line. Post pics of your progress
     
  6. billys54
    Joined: Apr 16, 2006
    Posts: 1,295

    billys54
    Member

    my 54 i had to have wheels made with a ton of back spacing. but still running a decent size tire.and im running a 82 pontiac rearend in my car.you have other options
     
  7. Frige
    Joined: Jul 2, 2006
    Posts: 34

    Frige
    Member

    Yeah I called around to find some wheels with more back space. Problem is they would have to 15x7 with 6 inches of back space and no one has such a animal. Anyone know what the stock width is supposed to be?
     
  8. 54oldie
    Joined: Mar 21, 2009
    Posts: 142

    54oldie
    Member
    from Oklahoma

    The 53-54 cars rear axle originally was 60" outside hub to outside hub. If you can find a 66-67 nova rear axle it is 58". This is what i used in my 54. Also some of the Ford Garnada's had a 58". Also the smaller Lincolns had a 58". Good luck. Larry C.
     
  9. 53sled
    Joined: Jul 5, 2005
    Posts: 5,817

    53sled
    Member
    from KCMO

    a. bolt in - 55-57 shiverlet, or
    b. weld axle brackets onto a s10 4x4 rearend. they are plentiful and cheap.
     
  10. Von Rigg Fink
    Joined: Jun 11, 2007
    Posts: 13,404

    Von Rigg Fink
    Member
    from Garage


    Just like this guy said..make it easy on yourself, and be done with it.
    than get out there and drive the crap out of it
     
  11. jamcoupe
    Joined: Sep 5, 2006
    Posts: 486

    jamcoupe
    Member

    It depends on what transmission your running.

    Most S-10 4X4S are 3.73 or 4.11 gears. That would be ok for a 700r4 or a t-5.

    You want to get a 1970-1981 trans-am or camaro rear end or Nova as mention if your using a turbo 350 or turbo 400.
     
    Last edited: Jul 16, 2009
  12. tooslow54
    Joined: May 6, 2005
    Posts: 929

    tooslow54
    Member

    I used a rear out of a 75 Nova. Once you remove the gigantic perches it fits like a glove. As said earlier that's probably your easiest route on the rear.
     
  13. Von Rigg Fink
    Joined: Jun 11, 2007
    Posts: 13,404

    Von Rigg Fink
    Member
    from Garage


    Im running a TH350 behind mine..works great..got 3.73gear
     
  14. low budget
    Joined: Nov 15, 2006
    Posts: 5,566

    low budget
    Member
    from Central Ky

    If this one is 61 and factory is 60, I cant see why factory wheels wouldnt work
    (if they will fit over the calipers)
    There is a lot more than a half inch on each side to spare for skirts.

    .........or is the 61 inches from back of backing plate to back of backing plate?
     
    Last edited: Jul 16, 2009
  15. jamcoupe
    Joined: Sep 5, 2006
    Posts: 486

    jamcoupe
    Member

    They both work but one saves gas, keeps the RPMS & temp. down and is overall better for crusing.


    Im glad you enjoy yours. I had both in a truck and prefer the 2.73:D
     
  16. low springs
    Joined: Jul 10, 2003
    Posts: 2,499

    low springs
    Member
    from Long Beach

    i have a 54 with a 92 S10 4x4 posi 3:52. it came off the truck that way. a regular S10 won't fit, to narrow. a 4x4 S10 is exactly 60" outside to outside hub. just cut off the big perches and set it up.
     
  17. Von Rigg Fink
    Joined: Jun 11, 2007
    Posts: 13,404

    Von Rigg Fink
    Member
    from Garage


    well to be honest..an overdrive would be nice on long runs;)
     
  18. Frige
    Joined: Jul 2, 2006
    Posts: 34

    Frige
    Member

    I have wilwood disk on the back so that might be where the extra 1/2 on each side comes from. The rims currently on the car are from a s10 just for rolling around. I believe they are 15x7 with a 4 1/2 backspace. Anyone know what the factory wheels were? Maybe a smaller wheel would work but that might kill handling. What gets me is how much different the front is. Was it staggered like that originally? ......And it is from flange to flange right where the rim bolts up.
     
  19. If it's dropped much you might need that narrowness in the front so you can turn the wheels????
     
  20. Frige
    Joined: Jul 2, 2006
    Posts: 34

    Frige
    Member

    Well I ordered some wheels from Jegs that I hope will work. 15x6 corvette rally with a 4 inch backspace. When I measured the s-10 wheels they ended up being 15x7 with a 3 1/2 bs so this should bring them in 1 1/2. For the front I got the ones with a 3 1/2 bs. Now to figure the tires currently they are 185/65/r15 I would hate to go any narrower, Any ideas?
     
  21. abone1930
    Joined: Jan 16, 2006
    Posts: 1,324

    abone1930
    Member

    Got any picks of your project? :)
     
  22. russnunn
    Joined: May 13, 2009
    Posts: 140

    russnunn
    Member
    from Florida

    I went through this a couple of weeks back i used a 90 camaro rear in my 53 chev and the same thing the wheels rubbed I went to the bone yard and got some 79 buick riviera steelies they are offset back enough now I can my hole hand uner there up to my forearm and no problems with the backside of the tubs
     

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