> Date: Thu, 29 Apr 2004 02:22:40 -0400
> From: "Bill Bailey" <bill@oletruck.com>
> Subject: RE: [oletrucks] Off Topic (Somewhat) - Clipping a 47 Chevy Car
>
>
>>>>>>> In the magazine articles they
>>>>>>> dealt with mounting the fenders and radiator, so if you can determine
>>>>>>> which they are, and then find them, you might have your answers there.
>
>
> thanks Steve, I will mention it to him. I haven't seen what he's actually
> talking about so I'm having a little trouble getting in my head exactly what
> his problem is.
The problem is that the engine (and the radiator) will sit
much further back in the clip than it did when the clip was
in the late model car. The old cars have the front axle
centerline right at the front of the V8 engine block, while
the newer cars have the axle centerline about halfway back
on the engine.
>>>>>>> I'm planning to clip my '54. I've looked high and low for information
>>>>>>> about how others have done it. The response I get most often from
>others
>>>>>>> is that Mustang II is the right way, and clipping is the wrong way.
>
> He specifically doesn't want to use the Mustang II because he heard some bad
> things in regard to a unit breaking on the factory welds several years ago.
> I seem to recall seeing something about it on a messageboard somewhere
> myself but never heard the resolution of the incident. My 57 is clipped with
> a 75 or 76 Nova clip and have never had any trouble with it.
Using an original Mustang crossmember is not a good idea,
but there are a lot of aftermarket parts to do the swap that
make it much easier and stronger. And the original frame
stays intact, which makes the front
sheetmetal/bumper/radiator mounting much easier. Although
there is a problem with the steering shaft and exhaust
clearance, it usualy requires a monkey motion steering shaft
with 3 ujoints to clear the header when using the Mustang
front end.
The Nova clip in your truck is appropriate, but the 40s cars
are much smaller and lighter than the TF trucks, so your
experiences don't really translate to the 47 car your friend
is working on.
My opinion is that the GM front subframes from either the
rear steer 69-74 Nova/67-69 Camaro or front steer 75-79
Nova/70-81 Camaro are just too wide for the 40s cars. I
recommend he go with a Mustang II or other aftermarket
suspension. The only exception is if he's a great
fabricator and has no money to buy parts with.
--
Jim
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