Technical Step notch plate thickness

So I got a "new" set of leaf springs for my '51. They're from a '53 sedan but they still have a positive arch, where as my original springs had been heated into a negative arch. Anyway, I put them in with 3" blocks and now my axle hits my frame/exhaust pipes which made me decide I need a notch sooner than later. I had the gambino notch in my cart but then I saw how much shipping was going to be . On that note I'm making my own. Now, I saw his notch was 3/16" plate. The frame is about 1/8" thick. Now for the question...is 3/16" ideal or just common? In other words, should I use 3/16 or should I use 1/8 like Chevy did? I'll be adding the bottom frame lip along the entire length of the notch if that makes a difference as well as adding the 5/16" strip along the inner/upper notch cover.

 

I always go overkill when I build anything. I would use the thicker steel.

 

Thanks for the response man. I decided as soon as I posted, that I'm just going with the 3/16" since it's such a small difference. I tried to delete the thread but I dont know how.

 

3/16"

 

yup

 

Don't delete it. Post pictures of the surgery. Inquiring minds want to know!

 

Yea what he said

 

Yuppers, inquiring minds want to see all the incriminating pictures of this project.
I'd agree on the blooming shipping costs though. I sent a cast aluminum valve cover for my 292 off to be polished yesterday and now I won't even be able to afford the cheap beer for the rest of the week.

 

Do any of you guys know the frame rail height (from the bottom of the top hat lip to the top of the frame rail) where the pencils pointing? The paper says 4 37/64" is the tallest...it looks about half as tall. RMONTY, is the body still off your car?

 

I'll measure when I get home.

 

Thanks brother. That's the one thing I forgot to measure while I was under there. I want to make my notch place twice as tall as the frame is.

 

As luck (YOUR LUCK!) would have it, I put the 4 door body on the frame yesterday to start slicing and dicing. I was able to get a fairly accurate measurement however and you are correct, it is nowhere near 4 37/64".....more like 2 and 15/16" inches. I measured where the factory bump stop is for the rear axle.

 

The idea is to spread the load caused by removing the section over a larger area this reinforcing it. I personally wouldn't use a straight edge on the ends of the plate but scallop them, radius the corners. Less stress






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