Welding a 81 camaro subframe to my 1948 plymouth Special Deluxe

[Plymouthy Adams]

plenty of people here have done this same thing...upgrade to disc brakes, numerous suppliers, R&P instal with the Cavalier being the donor..(actual part is TRW design and also used by Mopar but for forward steer, LHS platform) shock relocation, new kingpins and a-arm bushings..various motor mounts for the engine of choice..best part here is the simplicity of upgrading and reasonable cost with no invasive cuts done if you wish to return to stock..you can get aggressive with lowering supports and as with the disc kits, numberous people selling adapters to keep your pedal in place or install of swing arm style...the best part is the geometry is unchanged with your suspension, inclination of the support will not be a problem nor will bumpsteer...

a search by keyword of this forum will get you excellent information, do's and don't and a host of suppliers...

[dezeldoc]

"Olddaddy" aka Charlie on here has a disc brake kit and a few more things contact him and see what he has. as for motor mounts check out speedway motors they have some nice biscuit mounts but you will need to make a frame mount but it is easy, they also have a trans mount that is easy to install.

[knuckleharley]

I understand the cookie cutter aspect of the SBC, not that it would stop me from using one, but beyond that, what's wrong with a SBC???

Seems to me one of the best, most reliable, simplest engines ever built, and they are easy and inexpensive to buy.

What's the rub?? (BESIDES the fact it's common)

They are reliable,but they are not as reliable as a Ford or a Mopar. They are also not as cheap to buy as a Mopar. At least around here.

MY personal beef with them is that every teenage hoodlum in the world just KNOWS they put them in all the old hot rods "because they are the best and the fastest". Which is BullBarack. People put them into hot rods back in the 60's because they fit without a whole lot of cutting,and the had a rear sump oil pan with the starter on the passenger side.

[blueskies]

...I have been convinced not to cut the frame....

I think you will be happy you have come to this conclusion, and also think you will be miles ahead of a clip in terms of time and money. And head scratching.

I have driven my stock suspension '50 through every conceivable road condition at modern traffic speeds and have never felt the need for a different front suspension. My front end is completely stock, including the drum brakes... I have a pair of truck shock mounts to do the shock relocation upgrade, and would like to do a disc swap and new master cylinder when funds allow. A beefier sway bar would reduce body roll some. But there is certainly nothing "wrong" with the factory designed independent front suspension on these cars, they are very drivable.

Pete

[my48soto]

WOW bro you got yourself in a prodicament but these guys will steer you in the right direction. I wanted to do an air bag set up, but after looking around at drop spindles from fat man custom and disc brake set up's it is considerably cheaper. I was just looking into the money to bang ratio:cool: for myself. But hey you do it your way dont let these guys sway you even if they are right.

[my48soto]

You can get the break kit from Master Power Brakes here is the website www.mpbrakes.com, fat man customs has the drop spindles if your into the lowered look.

[Plymouthy Adams]

the Fatman spindles are quite pricely as they seem to be the only show in town..got very lucky and found an unused set of the Fatmans at a swap meet..holding them for the 47 Business Coupe

[BeBop138]

So, does that mean I could use a Buick drive train and still be OK??, after all, Walter P. was head of Buick for a while;):eek:

As I said, money, or lack of same, is usually behind my choices:(

How about a 3 cylinder Perkins diesel???

Pat, my Windsor was the first MoPar I ever bought and before I decided to go with the flat six I was a GM guy--raced Chevs and cruised in comfort in my Buicks---I had a 57 nailhead with the Dynaflow that came real close to being fitted in the ole Windsor. For me it`s always the challange of doing something different. I`am glad I didn`t--it has been fun hoping up the six, brings back memorys of racing my Chev six banger when I was seventeen. Doing all the stuff I wanted to do back then now----build the car the way you like, it`s about the time and memorys you have after that count---Happy Trails:).....Lee

[PatS....]

Lee, I too am staying with the flathead I think...I also have a 440 sitting here and I've done some measuring;)

I just have never felt bound by the same manufacturer theory.

[old woolie]

I understand the cookie cutter aspect of the SBC, not that it would stop me from using one, but beyond that, what's wrong with a SBC???

Seems to me one of the best, most reliable, simplest engines ever built, and they are easy and inexpensive to buy.

What's the rub?? (BESIDES the fact it's common)

I don't believe that I have ever said there was anything wrong with a sbc. They are a good reliable,relativly trouble free engines like many others. I work every day as a mechanic in my own shop now but for many years I worked for others. I am thankfull for GM and Ford as well as other makes for they put groceries on my table and put my kids through school. Doesn't mean I have to like them.

Chevy engines belong between Chevy frame rails, and nowhere else. Same with Ford , Mopar, etc.

[Captain Neon]

I couldn't help but reminded of my father's typical refrain. "I'm not a good enough mechanic to own Harleys or GM vehicles."

[Cpt.Fred]

tony,

i've been through all this over here when i bought my P-10 and started thinking about what to do with it. some guys tell you this, some tell you that.

in the end, i came down to concider a number of facts, that are REALLY important if you go for a car like this the first time in your life:

a) is the person that gives me an advice an experienced mechanic or a tattooed and greased up driver type? nothing against greased up tattooed guys, love to share beers with them. but do they help you if your car breaks down or when you do some thing wrong? that's why there are boards like these.

what exactly do you want to do with your car? do you want to modify it because you found the original handling to be insufficient or because everyone just does it that way? daily driver? race winner? money eater?

c)does a small block really have a better sound and generate more joy while driving, or will you just line up between all the other sbcs and one day end up staring at another guy's flat six because it's so uncommon? i personally wanted a V8 and now i can't wait to drive this engine because i started loving it just by working on it!

d)never change a running system, unless you can prove it's total crap.

and believe me, i really thought about this a long time!

no offence to anyone.

ok, go on, everyone!

[Niel Hoback]

Cap't Fred, as far as advice goes, read my signature.

[Cpt.Fred]

can't see any signature?

[Niel Hoback]

Free advice is worth what you pay for it.

[Cpt.Fred]

just wanted to add what i was thinking...

[falconvan]

I am however quilty of the cookie cutter comment..and to qualify that statement to some degree you can only look at so many IDIDIT, Genie, Ron Drake, Dakota Digital, billet accessories and them awful looking designer front seats..etc etc before you are ready to gag..not knocking anyone who has that..but it gets boring after a bit.

This I totally agree with; I prefer more stock looking while at the same time trying to make it friendlier for long distance driving. I never cared for the flamed steering wheels, digital gauges, and 21st century looking interiors.

[dezeldoc]

I got a buddy that everytime he see's my 50 with the flattie he goes ape **it on it! " them junk motors were nothing but under powered junk when they were new, cut that front end off and put a big block in it, make it so ya can drive it!" I reminded him of the last two i listened to him on, nope this one is stayin original, it ain't no race car it will run just fine!! i don't care what someone else does to THEIR car just want to throw a few pointers in so hopefully they don't make the same mistakes i made when someone says to cut it up to make it better. as for the chevy thing i own a few of them but you won't find it in a mopar or ford, same goes for them they will go where they were ment to go, in their brand.

[greg g]

I have a 2 litre diesel engine from a decomissioned Russian Submarine to go in my Studie truck if the V8 dies. 3 cylinder turbo diesel was for in port steering thrusters, heating the captains tea, and for powering officers clothes washer......

A lot of that old America iron down there is powered by Russia truck diesels.

[dezeldoc]

Here ya go this ought to shut ya up! figure out what this is in my saratoga!

My old p/u,

and my new one with my kids toy,

there is a theme going on here!

[Merle Coggins]

Here ya go this ought to shut ya up! figure out what this is in my saratoga!

Looks like Mercedes diesel. (there's a logo on the valve cover )

[Plymouthy Adams]

Merle..you just got to get out of bed earlier...Doc had you coming out of the trap..

That setup has the makings of a fantastic long running economical powerplant..

[dezeldoc]

Dang forgot to save the edit job on the pic!

[BobT-47P15]

Think they could add just a couple more fan blades???????

[mackster]

a) is the person that gives me an advice an experienced mechanic or a tattooed and greased up driver type? nothing against greased up tattooed guys, love to share beers with them. but do they help you if your car breaks down or when you do some thing wrong? that's why there are boards like these.

I dont think that what you wear makes you a good friend or more willing to help out if your friend's car breaks down. . .Im all greasy but just recently within two weeks, I've fixed a honda for my wife, an old VW for my friend, a new vw beetle for my sister. and Im gona give my friend a hand with his corolla that had some wiring problems.. .Im just saying.

If you are greasy or not, you can come down and give me a hand on mine!