Projects 38 coupe front end help

need some help I have a 38 chevy coupe with the knee action front end and it leeks bad. so we had a newer front end upnorth so took the 200 mile trip to go get it. don't know anything about it but dad picked it up a few years back for this car. got home and did some searching and found it a 53-54 front end. how much work and what has to be changed to make this work? can I still use the same steering I have now? just rebuilt the whole thing last year. I plan on replacing the whole drive line and putting in a 350 w/auto so the miss can take her for a run or 2.rite now I have a 1948 6 cylinder in it and its not running it died this summer and the 3 speed tranny has a few issues. so now would be a good time to start over and make something more reliable.

 

I know that Mustang II's get trashed a lot as being overused, but I would look at one of the bolt in units if you had the budget for it. That being said, I have no idea what the 53-54 unit would be like, but I'd guess it would be a lot more work.

 

I think the front suspension was originally a bolt on assy in the '53-'54 . You may have to fab some mounting plates but it should be easy enough to mock up.

 

That knee-action suspension probably means a very strange front frame (it certainly did in the case of my '38 Olds) ... I don't think you will find a Mustang II kit for that one (I stubbed mine with 2x3 and used a universal Horton/Welder Series kit).

That aside (realizing that you weren't interested in the Mustang II to begin with) I think the early knee-action stuff was only used for a couple of years before they made some changes to it (and no, I do not know what changed) so I doubt the '53 stuff will just bolt on ... could be wrong though.

My '38 Old's had a really odd looking front frame design, (still have the stub in the shed) and I'd be willing to bet it looks the same as what your car has.

The reason for me going the Mustang II route ... parts are easy to find (everything is readily available) and I got R&P steering and disc brakes as well (as opposed to the original stuff).

 

I would be a little concerned about track width. Seems the later Chev's were a little wider than the 37-39 Chev's. Chassis Engineering has a bolt in unit that is similar to the Mustang. Fairly straight forward, well engineered. Many others out there..JW Hot Rod, Fatmans, Heidts etc. All of them are going to be $1300 + and then there are the other expenses for items like modifying the steering to fit the rack, 15 inch rims and tires ?? etc.
Just finished putting a JW kit in my buddies 37 Chev coupe. Looks nice and ride height is nice but still a considerable amount of work and dollars but that is what he wanted.

 

thanks guys I guss I'll tear it apart and get a better look if not maybe go old school gasser.

 

Have my CE in my car for 15 yrs, omly way to go..

 

another thought anyone rebuild the kneeaction before? mine works well but leaks worse than a 74 harly.it leaves puddels where ever I stop.