Projects Subframing

If the Camoro/Nova subframe is to wide for your applications try GM A-body. Just cut them a couple inches behind the upper control arms. There 34" wide 3"
narrower and aftermarket suspension and brakes are available. Or you can use the Camaro spindles and disc brakes by modifying the upper control arms and machining some new sleeves for the ball joints. This will give you better roll centers for better handling. I'm glad to see that people are using suspensions more suited to the vehicle weight. The Mustang II swaps are much to common on cars that are to heavy for their application. In the 70's and 80's we had no choice but to use these. I did a couple of completey fabricated front suspensions for customers but the cost was way to much to justify finished product.

 

You all have very good points ,use or not to use a camaro ,thanks you .

 

Hkestes- Does your plymouth have a v-8 or is it still stock?where did you get the parts to rebuild your front if you dont mind asking.

 

Isn't subframing the antithesis of what this whole site is about!? If you want to know how to subframe a car get "street rodder" magazine and don't forget you 350/350 combo to go with it.

 

My 48 has still has the flathead but my last one had a 383/727. The Mopar flathead weighs in right at 600 pounds which is roughly the same weight as a full cast iron small block Chevy. So, there will be no issues there.

The one issue that you would have with putting an SBC in your 48 would be the steering box location. That can be addressed by going to a rack and pinion setup or by shifting the engine about 1.5 inches to the passenger side and using the right exhaust.

There are several places that carry the parts to rebuild the stock fron suspension.

Roberts http://www.robertsmotorparts.com/index.html
Bernbaum http://www.oldmoparts.com/
Rock Auto http://www.rockauto.com/
NAPA, Autozone, Kanter and others.

As for the Rack and Pinion, I know that FatMans and PlyDo both carry these kits.

You can get disc brake kits from Olddaddy http://www.rustyhope.com/index.html or Scarebird here on the HAMB or ECI and PlyDo. Or follow this link to put together your own http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=356710

Shock relocation is a pretty straight forward job and will make a big improvement in ride quality. Olddaddy sells the brackets for this or you can fab your own pretty easy http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=215548&highlight=plymouth+shock+mount

While this article is specifically about a 51 Plymouth Suburban front end rebuild it all pretty much applies to our 48's as well
http://www.rodandcustommagazine.com/techarticles/135_0501_1951_plymouth_suburban_wagon/index.html

 

i have a 47 plymouth 4 door if you lookimg for a front disc brake is kit for $400.00 the 47 ply frame are verry good and ther soled . look for me car

 

Wow there is a lot more supplys than i thought ,thans hkestes,i will be doing a lot more thinkng before i chop-cut-rebuild.
This was going to be a long turm project i still have a few rust areas to take care of also but really not that whole lot just under the foot pillers .
Hey hyestes have you replaced the rubber at the foot boards yet been trying to find them also.God bless and Thanks for your help .

 

Dave, this link will show an 80's S-10 front clip being put onto a 51 Fleetline frame. In the end, the track are about 4 inches per side more narrow that the original 51. If you look around the album from this link, you will see that we are running 8 inch wide rims which still leaves the wheel/tire combo tucked inside the wheelwell a couple of inches more than we really wanted.
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/album.php?albumid=1403&pictureid=11126

 

I have a 47 ford sedan on a 79 camaro subframe. I didn't do it but it works well for my car, whoever did it must have measured so well cause the car tracks very straight. I did notice the width but that isn't really a problem as I also changed to a bit wider rear and run wider rubber out back. sure makes the sbc fit at hom...please no crap for the chevy in the ford. It was in there when I bought the car and ran so well I left it in there. here are a couple pics of the frame. if you want I think I have some more close up ones

 

A friend of mine has a 70s camaro clip in his '48 plymouth and its too wide. Hes running FWD rims and its still to close to the fenders to lower the car where he wants it. I would put an S-10 clip in your car. I did a tech on here of how to put one in a '50 Ford shoebox. I did give quite a bit of detail on how its done, check it out. The S-10 is narrow and will let you get your car down low and your tires won't hit the fenders lock to lock. There is an unlimited aftermarket supply for anything for the S-10 too. They handle good and steer awesome. I've clipped dozens upon dozens of cars and trucks and never had a problem. Like resqd37Zep said, fishplates are your friend!!
Good luck

-Shiny

 

Camaro's are wide wheel base.Unless your doing a cadillac or buick, Nova's or S-10's are a better choice.They are narrower.

 

They are little wider than most ,any idea what is the measurements from a early 70 camaro and a mid 70's are they the same ?

 

No, I just have an old piece of carpet that was in the car when I bought it. Will replace it when I do the interior.

At one point there was a guy selling the rubber mats over on the P15-D24 site but he is no longer selling them. Don't know of any other source. Have heard others say they used rubber backed carpeted door mats that you see like at 7-11 layed rubber side up.

 

yes they are the same, like i mentioned before 61 inches

 

thats right you did sorry got lost in thoughts---- thanks 53choptop.