Building a 52 Chevy or trying to anyway...

Hey guys, I'm new to H.A.M.B. and so far I love this place. I've learned more from 15 threads on here then in most of my hot rod mags. I'm just starting on a 52 Chevy 2dr Deluxe and any advice I can get would be appreciated. I've got it planned out for the most part but there are still some gray areas.
To start off I'm pulling the 216 Straight 6 and Powerglide ******. I'll be replacing that with a 350 that I already have and set it up with a 400 turbo trans. I'm planning on putting in a Mustang II/Pinto front in from Ch***is engineering inc. and running a nova rear end with a Gambino Kustoms 4 link. I want to lay frame on this thing when its done but suspension is definately not my thing. I've done alot of research but I've got very little experience in this area. The airbag system is one of the gray areas, so if anyone has any success stories or recommendations I could use some help there. The body needs a little work too, its got some rust on the lower panels, rockers etc. and some of the floor and trunk pan will need to be replaced too. I'm planning on ordering the replacement lower panels from EMS, they seem to be good panels and they were recommended by a fellow rodder. I did find some on ebay for half the price but I don't know if they are good quality or not. I plan on doing 100% of the work myself. I'd rather not do it at all then have someone do it for me. I want to learn how to do all of this so I could use any advice that I can get. I've already started to catalog all of the parts, nuts and bolts, etc... and I'm taking pics as I go but if you know any other tricks please let me know. Thanks for all the help.

 

You're off to a bad start, your first post should have been an introduction.

 

Hi Mcdoogin52, you got a great car to rod. Dont think you should all the work ,too easy to burnout.. you will get good advice here, but you are BOSS. GOOD LUCK....52 csb

 

Sorry about that Roddinron. I'm new to all of this. I'm a Mud Engineer in Oklahoma. I work in the oilfield and spend a large percentage of my time on drilling rigs. When I'm home I spend most of my time with my wife and daughter and as of a couple weeks ago, working on my car. I've been a hod rod fan my whole life. My dad rebuilt a 57 chevy when he was younger and he was always a wrench turner and his mentality kinda rubbed off on me. I started tinkering with engines in high school and I always loved it. Now 15 years later I've finally managed to get a project going worth talking about. Hopefully that will give folks a little insight into where I'm coming from.

 

Get the EMS panels. They're thicker metal than that cheap **** off ebay(ask me how I know.) When you build your suspension, be sure to raise your trunk floor if you run factory gas tank. I raised mine 3". You should run no larger than 5.60x15 tires or you'll have to remake your wheel tubs.

 

Thanks for the pointers outlaw1949. I take it you've had some issues with the ebay panels?

 

I ran a 350/400 combo in my old coupe and loved it! I bought a '68 Impala junker that had a freshly rebuilt ****** in it and pulled the ****** mount at the same time. We measured the frame of my '52 between the rails (above the bottom flange), cut the crossmember to length, pressed the ends flat again and drilled mounting bolt holes - then bolted the crossmember into the coupe's frame. Worked out great! If you measure your frame and check out the local wreckers you might find a smaller chevy (Chevelle, Camaro, etc.) of around the same vintage ('68) that has a crossmember which would fit without modification..? I recall using a Hurst saddle-mount in front as well. Everything bolted in and I was driving after a weekends' work.
Enjoy that Chebby!

-Dave

 

Yeah I've had this 350 for a while and it's in great shape with hardly any miles on it. Its been in an 86 chevy p/up I've had but never drive. It's a strong engine and I think if I go with the 400 trans. it will be perfect for this project. Thanks for your input on the crossmember! I'll check around at my local salvage yards and see what I can find.

 

i would like to know how you know

 

I know.

 

Hey! How's it going? I was hoping I could bump into you guys on here. I'm having a blast with this car! My wife even likes it because if she wants me out of the house all she has to say is "so why don't you go work on your car for a little while" and I'm in the garage. I'm coming up with alot of ideas for this thing. I'll send you some pics as it comes along.

 

cool ride. looks like mine when I started. Just take your time and have fun. Good luck.

 

I knew I was sending it to a good home. You should post the build pics on this thread. All the guys here want to see what is happening to the old green car.

 

Enjoy the build, and be careful about the burnout. I've gotten close several times, but I'm an ornery young cuss, so the sun never sets on my anger without solving the problem.....doesn't mean I haven't come close to pushing it into the lake. Just like home renovation, expect it to cost at least 2-3x what you think, take 2-3x as long, and expect Murphy to come live at your house for the entire duration. Doesn't mean it's not a blast, though.

You should hook up with RustyNewYorker and Tugmaster....they've pretty much mentored me on here with my Fitty Chevy. I'm in the middle of doing things very similar to what you've got planned. Got a 81 Trans Am posi disc rear, front disc kit, power brake set-up, 283 SBC with a th350 trans. I've also got all the makin's to graft a 50 Merc grill/front facade onto it to spruce him up a bit.

One thing of note.....finding a new driver's side door is like finding hen's teeth!

GOOD LUCK! Pester those who have trod where you're about to tread!

 

cool ride bro good luck on the build

 

Mcdoogin52,
This is just something to think about. The original suspension of a 52 Chevrolet was a good design and parts are available through many suppliers to rebuild it as new. Also since this is a popular car there are many options available to lower the original suspension.
http://www.jamcosuspension.com/
Replacing king pins, springs and spindles is in the realm of the home hobbyist whereas refitting other designs is best done by an expert or experienced shop.
BTW since this is a power glide car the engine may be a full pressure and inserted bearing 235 instead of a babbit rod 216.

 

Laying frame is a bunch of work.

I didn't go that far on mine, but besides the frame notch, new suspension, trunk floor modifications your going to have to:
Rebuild the trans tunnel all the way back to make room for the driveshaft.
Change the inner wheel wells to allow the tires to tuck up further, or run 13"s.

Good luck.
Thom

 

Good stuff guys, keep it coming! All of this is really helping me out! Here are a few pics of where I'm at right now. I'm blasting it next week and pulling the body off of the frame.

 

anything new? your plans are really similar to mine and would love to see your progress

 

Nice start. Tom (Tired Old Man)