Projects Road to Redemption: 49 Chevy Coupe Build

Lookin' good!!

 

Again, very nice work!

 

Thanks dude. I'm trying to put a lot of thought into every piece.

 

Nice work!

 

Thank you

 

I have been working on my trans x member in my free time. I wanted it to match the stock ch***is work as close as possible, while still being removable, and also providing rigidity to the ch***is.

I drew up the stock x-member, then ***embled my design to it, and removed the offending stock areas. This piece will get all the edges radiused and the faux rivet treatment like the motor mounts.

 

This is the way to do it for a complex part. I've been doing my stuff in 2D Autocad, it gets the job done for most of what I'm doing.

 

Hey, any CAD is better than none. It really helps with the build process. My situation is unique because all of my fab equipment is at work, not at home, so I need to make the parts off of the car first, not being able to constantly check it

 

Nice! I love the coupes too. I built a 406 SBC/4 speed for my 50 [with front clip from my '49 parts car] and after "herding" the damn thing down the road with it's original steering box for a year, I switched to a '54 steer box. Made a world of difference but I couldn't tolerate the super long "in your face" steering column. I cut mine down and used a rag joint 8 inches from the steering box. Made it much more pleasant to drive .

 

I picked up a 54 box for that reason. I know the earlier box has bushings not bearings. Luckily I'm not too tall so the steering wheel placement isn't an issue, but I can see how it could get annoying.

 

We cut the center section out of the stock "K" cross member. Then we took a transmission cross member from a Dodge Dart, shortened both ends, welded a plate to the top for the rubber mount, and bolted it right into the stock, now modified, cross member. Cost nothing to do, had to drill two holes in the "K" member, and it works fine. I am Butch/56sedandelivery.

 

Just got caught up. I love the length you'll go to for the details you want!

 

Thanks man. I have always wanted to do a car "right" and this being the car of my youth, I figured there is no better time to take it to the next level.

 

So I cut as little of the cross member out to get the tail shaft to drop in order to get a 3 degree crank centerline. It looks like the mount I designed will clear the reverse shift lever as well.

 

So here is the cross member fabrication and the finished product. I will be mocking it up tonight. Laser cut formed and welded. I also welded three internal stiffeners to keep the cross member from flexing under load, and when tightening the trans mount bolts

 

Here it is installed. Fit pretty damn good. The offending areas will be scribed, removed, and plated in for strength.

 

Nice work!

 

Thank you sir.

 

I don't need the Walton mounts anymore. They were just to locate my block. If any body is interested in them I will sell them for $100 shipped. I paid $150 shipped...

 

Great story, I'll be watching.

 

Thank you. I have read your build thread on your truck. Very cool ride.

 

I can tell by your build you have a lot of auto savvy, but with that being said you do realize the 57 chev rearend is probably just as good as the olds or pont rears. it will definitely hold up to the combo you are using Tom

 

You should market that crossmember as often as what other guys ask what to use/do. I am Butch/56sedandelivery.

 

I have heard conflicting info on the tri-5 rear ends. Some people claim that they are weak...

I'm not super confident it will tolerate the abuse that comes naturally with a 4 speed

 

That might not be bad idea....

 

Nothing special tonight. Just removed the stock exhaust hangers and rear brake line bracket. Going to relocate it to the drivers side. Tomorrow the plan is to pull the drive train and finish with the stock x member clean up as well as parking brake pivot removal and some other stuff.

 

I save CAD files for anything I build in case it has to be modified or made over.

 

I was teenage in the heyday of tri fives. the rearends held up to a lot of teenage abuse seems like the weaklink was the four speed usually from teenagers trying to cobble them together without any knowledge tom

 

Nice 49 (the first), and nice 49 project.
Very nice work. I really like the way you do your fabrication.

And that motor mount and trans member, is up to par. And is so good you should be able to sell them, and not only to family! That look every bit as good as anything from any other vendor.

Did you weld the spacers on the motor mount? And is there room for the stuck fuelpump?

Nice work.

 

Thank you for the compliments.

Yes, there is a spacer behind the motor plate to allow the use of a stock fuel pump.

I had read that guys would grind them for clearance but I figured it was best just to add a spacer.