straight axle question?

[kustumizer]

Not sure if this will get deleted, but ive been thinking about putting a straight axle under my comet and a v8 and making a gasser style car. Its a 62 mercury comet. Has anybody put a straight axle underneath a style car like this and what are some tasks i would be looking forward to if i decided to do this? The axle will becoming out of a 63 econoline van if that helps. Thanks Nate

[TINGLER]

I don't know what the underside of a comet looks like, but if its like my Fairlane, there is no frame. Only a unibody construction.
I have contemplated making the Fairlane into a gasser as well, but I don't think I would trust the frontend very much if it were mounted on the "frame rails" that are already there.

This car was on ebay not long ago and it had rectangular tubing rails put under it. That to me looked like the way to go. But I don't know.....
Radshit on here would probably be the guy to ask. Shoot him a PM.

[Morrisman]

You can put any axle under any car, and any engine into any car. Just depends on how much work you want to do http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
You could run some 2 x 4 box section forward from the rear, tie the ladder bars into the back end, kick it up for engine mounts and suspension to tie into at the front. Just bolt the body to it. Best bet is to roll under the jacked up car with some lengths of 2 x 4 wood (it's lighter than steel) and see what looks right.
At least with a gasser you don't got to worry about ground clearance http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Mutt]

All you need are sub-frame connectors. They attach to the front and rear sub-frames and weld to the floors. Do a search for sub-frame connectors to get an idea. Usually about $100.00 to buy. Or you can make them if you have some simple tools and some tubing.

[Zeke]

This is close.

[kustumizer]

Thats pretty much what im looking to build if i do it. Thanks Nate

[Deuce Roadster]

[ QUOTE ]
Its a 62 mercury comet.The axle will becoming out of a 63 econoline van if that helps. Thanks Nate

[/ QUOTE ]

Years back I owned a 62 Falcon.... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

I narrowed a Econoline axle and put it under the Falcon. This was back in the mid 60's when that was "the look". Put a FE series Ford in it. 57 Ford rear end with air shocks.

It was nose heavy, drove like a tank and was SLOW as a snail.........but it looked COOL http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

The real good thing about it was that I did not ruin anything decent......them old Falcons was $100 apiece then.....I got 2 for $170.

.

[burger]

Nate,

Your Comet looks cool with the direction you're already headed in. It's not the right car to make a gasser out of.


Ed

[2tall2beahotrodder]

You going to drive 1400 miles to the HAMB drags in a gasser comet.. Damn you got some balls...

[Jimv]

edmurder is right, if it was a 2 door i'd say go for it, but it won't look right as a 4 door.
Sorry, but a gasser should be a short wheel based coupe!!
JimV

[kustumizer]

yeah i see were you guys are coming from! Thanks Nate

[Radshit]

Putting a straight axle under your Comet is not a problem, but if you use an Econoline axle you will have a few things to overcome........One, it's too wide and looks awkward in unnarrowed form...

Two, the spring perches do not line up with the uni-body frame....

..I had a 66 Falcon with an Econoline axle, and a 68 Ranchero with the same...both had to be narrowed to look decent.......


But I used a 51 F-1 axle on my 65 Comet and not only was it the right width.....but the spring prech distance was perfect for the uni-body (frame)....yes uni-bodies incoporate a built in frame that, while not a seperate frame....it still is strong enough to anchor some frame perches to........

I still plan to do a tech on the install in my Comet.......being how this is tech week...I guess I better get my ass in gear....

[prime mover]

I would much enjoy that radshit, I'm thinking of going straight axle on my fairlane and its the same chassis as your comet so I could follow closely.

[TINGLER]

[ QUOTE ]
I would much enjoy that radshit, I'm thinking of going straight axle on my fairlane and its the same chassis as your comet so I could follow closely.


[/ QUOTE ]

Same here.

I would be glued to the set.

[Deyomatic]

Kustomizer, it sounds like the next time I'm back in NH I'll be making a point to head up to the Lakes region to check out what you have going on.

Keep up the progress.