Wading into Dangerous Waters - Lowering 55 Olds - My first real Inquiry Thread

[Olds Dad]

OK – I’m in that purgatory between “FNG” and “Newbie”, and I’ve tried to contribute, asked a few questions, and pissed off someone with enough clout to get me banned for sure (all good now) – but I’ve yet to really ask a “HAMB How To” question. So here it goes


Got a ’55 Olds 88 2 door post – super solid, super straight – really only needs to be blocked and painted to be perfect…Zero rust

The car has a ’57 Olds 371 and a factory 3 speed syncromesh. I’d like to make it a ‘mild’ custom with that lowered “Stance” that is frequently talked about here.

I don’t have the cash to get into bag systems, Fat Man front ends, etc. This is a ‘get my feet wet in HAMBing” project.

So my question is, can I just install (i.e. replace) the spindles with lowered ones (assuming they make them), and modify/replace the rear springs to lower the stance, or am I way oversimplifying things?

I know you folks are typically helpful about this stuff, but I’m also bracing for the sarcasm and cynicism (both of which I love about this siteSo – where do I start?

[badshifter]

S-10 frame swap. Simple.

Just kidding! Cool project. If you put "lower 55 olds" in your thread title you'll get more helpful viewers. Newbie.....

[Olds Dad]

Originally Posted by badshifter

S-10 frame swap. Simple.

Just kidding! Cool project. If you put "lower 55 olds" in your thread title you'll get more helpful viewers. Newbie.....

Exactly what I was looking for (sarcasm and direction) - thanks

[31Vicky with a hemi]

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Yep change your title
Edit, go advanced , and have at it.

[48fordnut]

I cut one coil off of the ft coils and 2'' blocks on the rear of my 55 pontiac. rides great.

[NONAME]

My 56 was a low buck rod with a 57 371 and a early 4 speed hydro. sold it for $2800 AND MADE MONEY.
I cut 1 1/2 coils out of the front and home made 3 inch blocks in the rear. gas shocks and radial tires and rode and drove like stock

[Olds Dad]

Originally Posted by NONAME

My 56 was a low buck rod with a 57 371 and a early 4 speed hydro. sold it for $2800 AND MADE MONEY.
I cut 1 1/2 coils out of the front and home made 3 inch blocks in the rear. gas shocks and radial tires and rode and drove like stock

Awesome car - what do you mean by "home made 3 inch blocks" - how does this lower the car? Please forgive what I'm sure is a stupid question.

[Saxman]

I'm glad to see you're jumping in, Gordon. Your Olds is a very cool starting point.

[Olds Dad]

Originally Posted by Saxman

I'm glad to see you're jumping in, Gordon.

Yep...balls deep!

thanks!

[Saxman]

Originally Posted by Olds Dad

Yep...balls deep!

thanks!

No guts, no glory!

[chopolds]

Yup, that's all you need to do. Cut a coil or more, and lowering blocks. Luckily, the Olds' have a pretty good kick-up in the rear, so they ride relatively well, when lowered.

[40StudeDude]

If you don't piss off someone on here daily, you are not contributing...!!!

I used three inch blox in the rear of my '55 Caddy...didn't affect the ride.. As for the front, I went a bit farther than you are, I used a '78 Pontiac Trans Am sub frame...with a heavy sway bar...fit like it was made for it...and am using stock TA coils...a bit on the heavy side but they work fine...

Wanna see my build? Go here: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/s...55+caddy+build There's about 40 pages now...

R-

[Olds Dad]

Originally Posted by 40StudeDude

If you don't piss off someone on here daily, you are not contributing...!!!

I used three inch blox in the rear of my '55 Caddy...didn't affect the ride.. As for the front, I went a bit farther than you are, I used a '78 Pontiac Trans Am sub frame...with a heavy sway bar...fit like it was made for it...and am using stock TA coils...a bit on the heavy side but they work fine...

Wanna see my build? Go here: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/s...55+caddy+build There's about 40 pages now...

R-

Love that build thread!

[Squablow]

If you're not familiar, "lowering blocks" go in between the rear axle and the rear leaf springs. The leaves are under the axle, so putting a block (basically a spacer) between the axle and the leaves effectively lowers the car the height of the block. If your shocks mount directly to your axle, you may have to find shorter shocks. If they mount to the plate under the leaf springs, then you don't have to worry about that.

Lowering blocks are available on eBay, through Speedway Motors, even AutoZone carries them. They'll come with longer replacement U-bolts to install them. A pretty simple thing that you can do in your driveway.

As for the front springs, it's as simple as removing each coil, cutting off one turn of the spring (depending on how low you want to go) and replacing them back into the stock location. Again, if you take a lot of front spring out, you may have to find shorter shocks. But one turn off of the spring (which should give you about a 2" drop) should still be OK.

A hard day's work and about $30 should do the job.

[Olds Dad]

Originally Posted by Squablow

If you're not familiar, "lowering blocks" go in between the rear axle and the rear leaf springs. The leaves are under the axle, so putting a block (basically a spacer) between the axle and the leaves effectively lowers the car the height of the block. If your shocks mount directly to your axle, you may have to find shorter shocks. If they mount to the plate under the leaf springs, then you don't have to worry about that.

Lowering blocks are available on eBay, through Speedway Motors, even AutoZone carries them. They'll come with longer replacement U-bolts to install them. A pretty simple thing that you can do in your driveway.

As for the front springs, it's as simple as removing each coil, cutting off one turn of the spring (depending on how low you want to go) and replacing them back into the stock location. Again, if you take a lot of front spring out, you may have to find shorter shocks. But one turn off of the spring (which should give you about a 2" drop) should still be OK.

A hard day's work and about $30 should do the job.

Perfectly clear now...thanks

[nutajunka]

LOL, at your title.....

You would think we're a bunch of sharks around here.....

The best way to lower your olds is to put it on a trailer and lower it into my driveway, OK?

[fuxl]

Glad you started this post.
I'm planning on doing the same thing to lower the rear of my '56.

Yeah it needs to be lower right?

Shouldn't be too hard to do, but since I almost drive it daily now, I'll have to plan carefully.

Please don't be afraid to share your progress with us! We're not all that bad

[Olds Dad]

Originally Posted by fuxl

Glad you started this post.
I'm planning on doing the same thing to lower the rear of my '56.

Yeah it needs to be lower right?

Shouldn't be too hard to do, but since I almost drive it daily now, I'll have to plan carefully.

Please don't be afraid to share your progress with us! We're not all that bad

Love that '56 - Got a '55 Holiday Sedan in the works as well - too many cars, too little time, never enough $$

[fuxl]

Originally Posted by Olds Dad

Love that '56 - Got a '55 Holiday Sedan in the works as well - too many cars, too little time, never enough $$

Thanks, man! I like the collection in your garage. You got 4 '55 Olds? That's just awesome!

Please create an album in your profile, and share some pics of your rides.
I got a sweet spot for Oldsmobiles myself. But my collection is not nearly as big. Yet.

[Olds Dad]

Originally Posted by fuxl

Thanks, man! I like the collection in your garage. You got 4 '55 Olds? That's just awesome!

Please create an album in your profile, and share some pics of your rides.
I got a sweet spot for Oldsmobiles myself. But my collection is not nearly as big. Yet.

Well, the Four '55's isn't as glorious as it sounds. Only one is presently on the road (my daily driver - four door sedan - rattle can special).

My 2 door sedan is the one I'm asking about here.

I then have 2 holiday sedans (4 door hardtops) in various stages of restoration. They will all get there - just takes the time I dont have.