Hi Val. I had planned on going under the springs. But now that you mention it, I could go on top of the springs. I'll take a few measurements off the motor/oil pan and see how much clearance the axle would have ( and I think its a lot). The front spring/shackle mounts I made today are mounted on the outside of the frame. I want the car to sit about an inch to an inch & 1/2 higher than before with the I-beams. I think I am very close. Thanks.
Whoah ..... killer choices with this mighty fine lil' Vette .... it can always be "put back"....but where the hell is the fun with that ?? Too many restored stockers running around as it is. Just stumbled upon this blooming eye candy thread......but an I'm an apt listener from here on out. Keep on it, this is gonna' be good !
Still trying to figure out this new format. Any way, Glad to see your vette hot rod starting to get rolling again. I would mock it all up and then decide where you want to place the axle. Jim
Baron I'm putting parts together for my 60 Vette with an I-Beam as well but I've found 2 axles I'll use. One is a 31 Chev axle with a decent drop and the other a 37 dodge axle with a good drop. I'm planning to have one of the 2 dropped an additional 2 to 3 inches depending on which one fits the best (spring perches and overall width) I can get disc brake conversions for either one. I'll weld up mounts to get the car close to level. Movin/on
Thanks guys. Picked up my axle from BCCHOPIT at the Gathering of the Faithful Saturday. This thing is beautiful and super strong. Thanks Bill. After taking a few more measurements and mocking stuff up, looks like if I raise the rear spring mounts into the frame two inches, it will put my ride height where I want it to be. Axle will be mounted under the spring.
Baron: Isn't that axle about 4" wider (2" per side) than the original? When I look at the kingpins the straight axle's seems to be even with the outside of the drums. It could be the perspective of the photo. Did you get a weight of the original front suspension? Movin/on
Optical illusion. The axle is 49 inches wide. This will give me a total width approx. 2 inches narrower than the stock front end. The axle I put in my 55 Chevy is 51 inches wide. I like to see the tires out where they belong. I have not weighed the stock front end, but I bet it weighs twice as much as the axle and springs that are going in.
Thanks , The weight difference is what I'm looking for as well. Certainly got this thread as WATCHED Movin/on
Damn! You are doing exactly what i have wanted to do for YEARS! Keep up the good work, can't wait to see it finished.
When I pulled the stock front suspension out of my red blown, injected 62, it weighed 230 lbs, including the steering column. The 4130 custom tubing front end weighed 30 lbs. Crazy.
Rear spring mounts are welded in. Wound up raising them 2 inches into the frame rails to lower the car. Forward mounts are 80% done. Figuring the front springs will settle 1.5 " - 2" once the motor ,radiator, etc. go in, I should have a final ride height very close to where it was with the old front end. Second picture shows 2 inch exhaust pipe axle for mock up.
Looking killer Baron !!! When should I load up my '57 and drop it off for the same treatment ?? Ha Ha I'm very very jealous. Have you nailed down what color paint yet ?? Brett
Still no decision on the color. The axle install has bought me a little more time. Got it narrowed down to 2-3 choices. I have the old front end ready to bolt right in to yours. Couple days later you'd have it back sitting 4 inches higher. Just be prepared for the condemnation from the NCRS.
Hey Baron totally cool build have to say when I was in high school there was a 60 Covette that was done with the 4 inch I beam blocks, home made ladder bars, big Olds/Pont. rear end 4:56 gears, big block 427, tunnel ram, big tube Hooker headers, mine tubs with giant M&H slicks, 4 speed transmission, big tall hood scoop, that run the streets here where I live. As I recall there was no other cars that could bet it at the time. When I seen your build it was a flash back to those days. After it's time on the street it was sold and the car is now, build to the numbers, restored Corvette. In my book it a bummer that it lost it old history and is not the car it used to be. Oh well, the car is still talked about all the time between all of the Hot Rodder's that still live around here. My build is the 38 Willys sedan posted in the, if you (have a gasser stand up) post. Well I love what you are doing with the car and it bring back great memories of the past, will be watching to see how it turns out. Just a fellow Gasser nut passing on some History.
Baron the build is looking great cant wait to see it done. On the first page of your post I posted a pic of my 56 we were starting the builds at the same time. Here's an updated pic she is back on the road. Glad to see your updates.
Love hearing about these old cars. So many of these Corvettes were put back to stock when the prices started going up on the stockers. In seventy -one I built a 57 Corvette with a 302,4 spd, 4.88 gears, 4 inch blocks, reversed shackles, etc. The birth of my son ended my 2 seater car quite quickly. Been waiting 43 years to build another one. I'll be driving this one by late spring with any luck. Not finished, but drivable. Good luck with the Willys. Looks like a great start. Nice job on yours. Looks great. Lot of work accomplished in a short period of time. I took the summer off of working on mine to use the cars I have up and running already (no sense building these things if you don't use them). But, I am back on it now. Two full days a week, and a couple of hours after work during the week will get me out on the road this coming season. Thanks.
Baron: Are you using the original cross steer steering box from the Corvette? Or are you going in a different direction. Vega or something else. Richard
Baron looks good. How much caster are you putting in it? Also I see your avatar car made page 8 of the latest issue of Gasser Wars Magazine. Keep up the good work-Jim
Going with a newVega box from Borgeson. This will also enable me to use later, side motor mounts and run a mechanical fuel pump by not using the Hurst frt mount. Hi Jim. Thanks. I am going to set it at 7 degrees. I think I have my 55 at 7,and it tracks well and steers fairly easy. I should be tacking the saddles to the axle this afternoon or tomorrow morning.
The Jalopy Journal
