Rodding a 32 dodge questions

I found a complete '32 Dodge sedan nearby for sale.Can the front parallel springs, axle,steering,etc. be used or are changes needed? I'd like to make it a rod and use as much of the front end as possible with small v-8 or maybe a straight six. Thanks for any info. -Strat.

 

You absolutely can use the parallel leafs.
My freinds Duane and CH both have 33 dodge trucks.
Duanes has a M2 front end under it and CH's has a modified parallel set up(spring under).
Guess which is lower by 1.5"?
Duanes has a 270 Hemi w/a 5speed and Caves has a 360 Moparw/a 3spd o/d and stock springs

 

I'd keep it.... only if you can find replacement parts for it, and rebuild it. You may have to go to a stiffer spring for a v8 though. I would! Do it!

It might be a good idea to flip the front springs to get the front end down, if you want the low look?

 

Good for you!! If you wanna be unique on a budget, mount a slant six up front.
You'd probably still have to get heavier springs to handle the extra weight, though. As has been said, rebuild it first.
(Vultures starting to circle).....Do you actually own it yet? If so...PICS! If not, and you decide against it, I might be interested.

Roger

 

The springs don't need to be changed because they came with a boat anchor of an inline 6 flattie to begin with.
You can't "flip" the spring because of the ch***is arch.
You can reverse the eyes and put the front axle on top af the spring and box and c-notch the frame.

 

I'll second using the original leaf springs. When we pulled a flat head out of my son's car and installed a 360 and its 727 the front end set 2" higher then it did with the flat 6. The 360/727 was about 150 lbs lighter then the flat 6 and its dinky 3 speed.

You can get a disc brake conversion for that Mopar axle too. Gene

 

you're not talking about a guy that goes by "caveman" are ya....?

 

Agred, that flat six is no lightweight. Where are the pix?!!

 

Here's a 30 DeSoto I did in 1980. Your axle should be similar.

It had stock springs & axle, but the spindles were turned down in a lathe to mount early Dodge Dart 4-piston disc brakes and homemade caliper brackets. Probably this is as low as it will go without heating & dropping the I-beam though.

Also used an early camaro firebird power steering box. Cross steered over to right side. Motor was 327 w/4 speed. Handled & rode good.



Edit: I wouldn't use the stock steering box as the older boxes Have a binding "feel". I also had a stock 32 Plymouth that steered tight, and some 32 Plymouth experts at Hershey told me to find a "Late 32 box" that was a newer design. I did, and it was a lot better, but still not good enough for a rod at todays speeds.

 

Yeah,that would be him.LOL
Him and Duane oughtta be havin' all the fun soon.
Duane keeps raggin' on me about my POS,"Hurry up and get it together so we can all go cruisin'".

 

Thanks for the help.Happy to hear that I can use it.I'll post pics when I get it home.Definitely something different. -Strat.