Whats involved in this procedure. Is it a matter of just nuts and bolts or are we looking at plasma cutters and a bunch of other shit. I want to put a Nova or Camarro clip on my 50 Plymouth sd. The reasons are better off unstated. Can anybody give me a blow for blow account on this procedure on how to do this type of surgery.Does the replacement include steering box in order to nullify any exhaust clearing issues? What about alignment issues? For you guys that have actually snapped glove on this, in your opinions, am i just better off dealing with what i have and jusy throw a lousy Scarebird Disc Kit on its ass. In the long run i want a highway machine thats not afraid to do a little city runnin. Gonna need to change axles also, any ideas from 1st hand experience? Seems like its more work to do the research than it is to frame off resto...... Stan in NE Pa.
Ya, a Nova or Camaro clip will just "bolt on" ?? You have a Scarebird kit? but don't want to use it? It's probably your best bet. I put a G-body clip on mine, worked great but not for the faint of heart. Change the axles? What about the housing? The stock rear won't hold up to any horse power. You keeping the stock motor?
I just did a bunch of research into doing this to my 49 Plymoth sd and have found that swaping the whole frame out with an S10 is going to be alot easier and cheaper. I couldnt find alot of info on what to swap in and what would work best. I have just recently found this msg board and in some ways wish I had found it sooner but am glad to be here now! My main problem is I have a family and am not a rich guy so I wanted to keep it some what cheap. S10 parts and frames are redily avalable and it took me only days to have one. The swap sofar has really gone well with the only problem so far being the spare tire in the trunk. I will be cutting that out and we will see how it fits after that is done. I would have it done already but i ran out of zip disks and need to go to town to get some more. I ave started a thread in here and will be posting to it regularly looking for advice and info so it gets done right the first time.
No, I dont have a scarebird yet. Holding off until i make the frame decision. Thats a kickass merc. Doesnt get any better than that. Stan
Yeah, I have a family too. Whats post in your s10 swap under? Some guy told me the back end would be too high. Stan
Seems to me you have asked the same or similar question on a prior thread. The answer then, and now, is that for the use you have stated, the stock suspension will be just fine. Mopars of that period are very good driving riding cars in stock form. That said, the shock absorber action can be improved by mounting the upper end to the frame instead of to the upper control arm. The second change is a disc brake conversion, either Scarebird or one of the other readily available kits. It isn't even all that hard to build your own conversion. There are a few threads on the HAMB covering that. Changing the rear axle assembly for something more highway friendly is also not a big deal. Most certainly any of the above is a LOT LESS work and skill intensive that trying to do a graft on frame clip or, heaven forbid, an S10 frame swap. Getting an S-10 frame or Nova clip may be appealingly cheap at the outset, but by the time you get past the "point of no return" you'll wish the hell you had listened to the advice to make a few simple upgrades instead. Your car, your life to do with as you please.......but you asked. Ray
I've only got $2500 and a couple of months of solid work in my 50 dodge, it's got the original frame, suspension, and steering. A 360 v8, 904 automatic, 8 1/4 rear, with discs in the front. The build took 3 years but I only worked on it 1 to 2 days a week for a bout 6 hours... Just familiarize yourself with what you are working with. The frame and suspension on these cars were definitely over-built for the flat head 6 and are more than capable of handling a v8. Keep it mopar and stick a LA series small block with the correct drivers side exhaust manifold and you are good to go with the original steering colum and box. Or do a R&P set up and use the engine of your choice. I've gotta say that if you are as inexperienced as you sound, thinking that a front clip swap could ever possible be a bolt on, you should probably not even consider that as an option.
Just a couple shots of a clip glued to a Dodge frame, You can see in the first pic.... not even close. An S10 frame swap is a hell of a lot more work than this. Use the stock frame and swap out too disk brakes. Or don't.
I see what u mean. I.m goin to the cantina. I'll just put a Scarebird, close exhaust manifold and change a couple motor and trans mounts, rear axle assembly, mc, and try to hunt down a driveshaft when i get that far.. Rum and cokes for everyone, Stan
Just get a donor for the motor and trans and pull the driveshaft from it too, and any ignition goodies, switches, etc. have the shaft shortened accordingly at a driveline shop.
I just did the Scarebird kit on my 1954. It was all bolted together in less that half a day, including screwing around. It is awesome and is a night and day difference. I am not even going to mess with the rest of the suspension. Just drive it and have fun.
Dont want it to be a THE HURRIER I GO, THE BEHINDER I GET, kinda project. But, Now i got it. 12 point sandwiches and 10-20 chasers for all. Thats where the rubber meets the road. Thanks Guys, Stan in Pa.
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