sbc into a 41-48 ford, wishbone question.

hey guys,

looking around I see that the ch***is engineering mount set to put a sbc/trani into a 41-48 ford car includes a 'kit' to split the wishbones. Where as the similar 'kit' to put the sbf/trani into the same car shows a lowered wishbone mount option.

I was just curious if splitting the front wishbone for this application is necessary, and if so why? Is it a motor/pan clearance issue? transmission clearance issue? or is it an alignment issue because the transmission in the chevys case interferes with the proper alignment spot for the un-split wishbone?

sub question, have any of you used the C.E. wishbone split 'kit'? What does it contain and is it fairly straight forward?

i did a quick search and did not find the answer to either of these questions, and a description in a catalog is obviously going to leave a little to be desired.

if this has been covered or any of you have links that would be beneficial to these questions feel free to post them up

thanks in advance,

timm

 

Pretty sure it is based on the relative fatness of most GM automatics in comparison to a SB Ford automatic. The kit looks pretty straighforward, but I would sure slide in the engine and trans first and see what's what before making an inherently undesirable modification to a car that has good handling to start with.

 

yeah that's what i figured was prompting the split, and yes id like to avoid splitting them if possible for all the obvious reasons.

is the relative fatness of the gm automatics in regard to overall girth or just width? id imagine it must be girth in general because if it were just wide you could still use a dropped mounting location?

 

Check out www.bobdrake.com go to page 345 in his catalog, it has everything you need.

 

hotrod40coupe, is there an option to see that catalog page online and im just missing it? is it an option that works around the wishbone split?

 

Use this link and then use the arrows at the bottom of the page to scroll to page 345.

http://www.bobdrake.com/CAT26/cat26pdfs/328-355.pdf

 

so im ***uming since your page number sends me to the selection of mounts to put in ford hardware that your answer to not cutting the front wishbone is to put in a ford motor and cut the floor and firewall up?

seems the drake stuff for this is the same as the C.E. stuff, they offer a kit with no provision for the split wishbones but note that its for IFS only. so i guess ill just go with the ***umption that with the chevy transmission you would have to drop the un-split wishbone mount so low that it would compromise your suspension geometry?

 

call fatman fabrications in charlotte nc they know everything about suspension but ch***is engineering is good to. i think a m11 suspension is better then the old solid axle

 

has any one used the split wishbone kit these guys are offering?

 

Yes, I have installed several CE and P&J split wishbone kits. The SBC/Trans hits the wishbones if they are not split. You will also need to notch the lower channel on the ch***is to clear the pan. The kit works very well and does not affect the handling you have with the stock set up. CE has been doing it for years and Bob Drake uses their stuff for his catalog but doesn't tell you. It is the same stuff. The P&J items are a nicer design but the choice is yours. Easy to do in a weekend.

 

i used the ch***is enginering kit in my 41 pickup the kit was complete easy to install. put in 327 with turbo 350 trans used their motor mounts also everthing fit perfectly but the wishbones will have to be split

 

thanx guys, somereal world feed back is always the best!

pewsplace, when you mention notching the lower channel on the ch***is are you refering the X member or another cross memember? also, is the split kit fairly straight forward? id imagine its basicly cutting the ball mount off and welding on the new ends?
mount the new attaching bracket and pop it all together?

its always more involved then how simple i made it sound but is that it more or less?
i just always try to get as much info as i can before making a choice or getting myself in to deep into something.

thank you again

 

Turn the page...

 

hotrod40coupe, i did notice that the chevy parts were on the next page. i was just ***uming that since you gave a specific page number that you where one of the ford in a ford people that loves to rag on a post like this. im glad that i was wrong and thank you for the link.

 

You have to trim the lower edge of the center x member to clear the transmission. The bones are basically a cut and weld operation. Instructions are clear and easy to follow. Good welding is required.

 

Be selective on GM trans,they are prety big around .I found in order to make room for exhaust and steering engine had to be moved 3/4" to p*** side.Than X member had to be cut and modified.Mine is a 389 pontiac and muncie. Not a lot of hole there.If I was to do again Id go ford,a lot less cutting and work.

 

what are you guys that are running this setup from CE with there motor mounts as well doing for fuel pumps? i had my motor in this last weekend to see if i needed to move anything around before it goes in to stay and its looking awefuly tight with the stock pump.

 

i did a 40 and 47 fords and both need to have wishbones split w/350/350 combo...

 

Bought my 47 Ford with the C.E. split wishbone kit installed. Already had center of x member trimed to fit.[ 302 Ford and auto -used C.E. motor mounts ] I switched to Chev. 350\350. Tight fit at x member but works fine. Used Hurst style motor mount thus electric fuel pump.

 

I had read somewhere that a fuel pump for a 58 chevy has the fittings located differently and will clear. I haven't verified this but it may be worth looking into.

 

I did this swap in 1988 on my 47. when you split the bone they get a tierod end and mount to a plate on the x member, mine is really low and the tierods drag the ground when going over speed bumps or driveway curbs.

 

Thanx 31apickup, I'd heard there were some shorter fuel pumps on the older engines that might clear a little better but wasn't sure on which ones they were and a search didn't turn much up.

...and all the ones I've been able to crawl under had electric pumps

 

Link didn't work for me.

 

I used the CE kit in my '41 back in the late 80's. Everything worked and fit like it should, if I remember correctly. It took me about a day to get it done. You'll need to cut off the back on the wishbone and weld a threaded bung in each side. If I remember right, I also had to heat and slightly bend the spring mounts on the front of the wishbone so that the spring didn't bind.

 

Yeah I've got it all done now minus the motor/trans actually being bolted in. I had the motor almost positioned but the stock battery tray was I the way so I didnt get it all the way in to make sure but it sure looks like the fuel pump is going to be damn close to the stock crossmember if not hit it.

Just askin you guys that have done it what you ended up doing with the fuel pump, if your stock one cleared or not etc

 

I believe the wishbones are split with a SBC to clear the ****** pan. Also some alts to the firewall possibly for a HEI dist.
I put a Ford 302/C-4 in my '41 Ford with a C.E. wishbone ball lowering kit. No other mods to frame, sheet metal or firewall. 4 row Walker radiator with shroud