How do i install front clip on 40 pontiac

[51mercgirl]

Im curious as to how to install a 1974'sh firebird front clip on a 1940 Pontiac..is there any photos available for this? thanks in advance

[rustynewyorker]

Probably going to be way too wide of a track, first step is measure, measure, measure, and measure again.

[krooser]

I'm not a big fan of clipping these cars but it's been done a million times. The track width is pretty wide for a '40.

Maybe an S10 would be better or even a GM metric front stub.

[harpo1313]

doesnt the 40 have a ind front? drop it and a disc kit.maybe a sway bar.

[51mercgirl]

"Probably going to be way too wide of a track"
Rusty,can you please clarify what you mean by that???thanks....

[rustynewyorker]

The wheels will stick out of the fenders like a four wheel drive truck and the tires will rub when you turn to go around a corner.

If you have to ask questions this basic, I would highly suggest hiring out the work, or sticking with what's there, because cutting the whole front off the car and putting another one on is not a job for a novice.

[19Fordy]

1940 Pontiacs DO HAVE an independent front suspension. Buy rebuilt kits and make it like new. You will be happier in the long run. Kanter has kits.
http://www.kanter.com/p56-fek.html

[davidbistolas]

Originally Posted by 51mercgirl

Im curious as to how to install a 1974'sh firebird front clip on a 1940 Pontiac..is there any photos available for this? thanks in advance

Not a swap for the faint of heart or skill! The firebird is considerably wider than the stock front end.

What's the reasoning behind the switch?

[1949 caddyman]

Also the 1970 & up Camaros & Firebirds had a front steer system with the steering box up front of the control arms. Do you have room on that body for it? If no then a 1967-1969 frame swap may fit better. They had a rear steer box.

[363Door]

You need a rear steer clip as the front steer the box will stick thru the front fender,
I have a '67 clip under mine and the wheel clearance is fine.

[Davyj]

You would be better off with a clip from a 78 > 84 malibu / cutlass / monte Carlo. they are also similar to an 80's S 10 the trick is to measure the angle of the top shaft on the A-frames and make sure it goes in exactly the same as it came from the donor car. if you set this wrong the car will never steer properly. As for the steering box being out front, if you measure carefully, you can set the wheels back about an inch or so in the wheel wells. If you use Dropped spindles , then the clip does not have to be as high on the original frame, therefore the box should clear the front fender. I have one of these on our 38 Chev and it works fantastic. nice soft ride and cheap replacement parts too.

[51mercgirl]

thanks everyone for your input,I have a very gifted man who can do alot of the work. He isnt afraid to seek advice or knowledge from others...so sometimes being the good GF i am I will come here to help out to find some answers. we settled on a 72' Nova front clip rear steer.Work wont begin until we are 100% and we also have to move out a project or 2.

[Terrible Tom]

I have done it a couple of times and it's not that hard. Yes, the clip may be a little too wide but you can make it work with different wheels. The front steer is an issue but you can make that work too with some trimming. Rear steer would simplify things. Bestadvice is to have a nice, flat surface to work on. Measure everything several times. Consider the caster and camber. I did mine by myself in a day or two. It will drive circles around the original suspension when you are done, plus you can get it nice and low if you want. My first one was on an International that I no longer own.
Tom

[vtwhead]

FWIW, I have seen an article somewhere where they narrowed the crossmember by an inch or so to reduce the track width. It appeared to work out fine. Don"t know if it is worth the effort or not.