Does anyone know or has anyone seen 50's Buick spindles used on a drop axle? I have access to a '54 Buick ch***is. The spindles look very similar to '49 to '54 Chevy. I know they run Chevy spindles on tube axles that have the correct kingpin inclination. I think I have even seen I-beam axles modified to work with the chevy spindles. I want to run Skylark style wires on my Model A. So the Buick drums have the right bolt pattern and look right under them. I am a machinist so I can handle pretty much what ever would have to be made or modified. I may even entertain the idea of making a whole axle. Any input would be helpful. Has anyone ever done or tried this?
Search on here and get the adaptors to run the buick hubs on the ford spindles. I think 29RAT is the guy who sells them and just had an order recently,
Here's a link to 29RAT's original post on the subject. I wasn't aware he was taking orders again. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=91081 I got a couple sets from his first run a long time ago. They look like really good parts. Unfortunately that project stalled and I haven't been able to install them so I have no idea how well they work. However I'm sure if they didn't work there'd be an excrement storm on here about it and I'd have seen that. Good luck.
I saw this car at the Daytona rod run swap meet area a couple of years ago. If you look close at the right front wheel you can see the finned Buick drum. I don't know any details of how it was done, but judging by the condition of the leather upholstery and other things I think this rod was built many years ago and stashed away somewhere. This would have been before any kits were available. Wish I could tell you more.
Been there, done that. I used them on a Ford axle and had to redo the K.P.angle (bushed the spindles with heavy bushings, set the spindles up at proper angle in mill and rebored) and used the Buick backing plates. Biggest problem was dropped steering arms-the Buick didn't have enough length to provide the drop I needed when bent. I'd probably make'em from scratch the next time. The beauty is that everything matched: the spindle/hub/drum/backing plate. If you have access to front end alignment info, you may find Chevy & Buick have same K.P. angles (doubtful since heavy cars usually had more straight up & down to reduce steering effort) in which case an axle for Chevy spindles would eliminate need to rework.
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