53 Stude-Chevy

[John (Maryland)]

Will.

Listed is a quick run-down and pictures showing most of the changes. Steve Kramer did the work and TIG welding. The changes have resulted in a strong, adjustable, and aligned front end (The front end is set at 5.7+ castor and that can be be adjusted).  Fixes are not too hard now knowing what it is needed and how to do it.
Lower A-arms
  Added an across brace tube.
  Completed welding of the lower arms.
  Reduced size of shock opening to permit more material around shock bolts.
Upper A-arms
  Replaced upper a-arms with new steel cross-shafts rather than aluminum.
  Changed length of a-arms.
  Original uppers looked used.
Steering rack and mount
  Adding a tube brace to reduce cantilever bending.
  Shortened length of tie-rod threaded attachment.
Upper A-arm chassis mount
  Repositioned inboard by drilling new frame holes to correct camber errors.
  Added one additional bolt holding upper a-arms
  Welded tube bracing for a-arm bolts into chassis.
  Modified for aesthetics.
  Completed the welding.
Spindles and ball joints   
  TIG spot-welded the ball joint to the a-arm so they would not loosen.
  Returned lowered spindles for standard height spindles.
  Both the lowered and standard height spindles could not be installed with the correct camber (4 degrees + was the best reached).
  Had a lot of trouble installing upper and lower ball joints - extremely tight, bought new uppers.
Brakes
  Strange custom-made caliper mounts and special hubs for Strange disc brakes.
  Have not yet located necessary Ford spindle nuts.

R.
John.

[Cajun Kid]

Will, I have spoken to John on my choice of front suspension,, but he had allready ordered his stuff.

I had FatMan (Charlotte, NC)  build me a custom front stub assembly with 9 degrees caster and adjustable either way 4 degrees 4 degrees +/-  so have a range between 5 and 13 degrees.. but feel  9 degrees is the right number.

Charles

[will6er]

John and  Charles-

Thanks for pointing me hopefully in the right direction. My plans are to run Gas Coupe so I need to use the stock frame. This cuts down on some of my options.

Now, just to hit the Lottery so I can get going.

Thanks again.

Will

[Cajun Kid]

Will,  that sheds a bit more restricted light on the choices.. Since I am running Altered I did not have to use the stock frame, so I decided to do a one off perimeter frame.

Good luck,, I enjoy driving my cars (settting records is fun too) but the sense of accomplishment in the build and design is just as good (or close ) 

Enjoy the process

Charles

[John (Maryland)]

Will.

Hello.

Do you have a photo of your project?  I went with the Slick front end to run gas coupe as well.  That front end can be upgraded to work great and it is not too difficult now that we know what has to be done. Not every change made for my car is necessary.  A lot of time was spent in the design mode, etc, actual changes could be done rather quickly, IF one has a TIG welder, that is not just the machine, but someone that knows how to use it (ha).

There is a problem however for gas coupe.  The cantilever mount holding the steering rack protrudes a significant distance rearward causing interference problems with the engine oil pan. In other words, it is not easy to get the engine located w/i the gas coupe setback rule of 2%.  So either the engine has to be moved back beyond the 2% or the engine has to be raised to clear the rack mount. If beyond 2%, then its Altered Gas Coupe.

In the end, it is just something to work out and, in my opinion, well worth the effort if one likes Studebakers.   

R.
John.

[GH]

Some years ago, I put a Chrysler 392 Hemi in a 59 Studebaker with the stock front end. I just cut a notch in the forward part of the oil pan and it cleared the bellcrank...

[John (Maryland)]

Charles.

The seat mount is 1/8 and 3/16 with bracing. The holes are being filled in the under chassis and all original welds are being checked, seams filled, and sanded as needed. The chassis and chassis welding are near completion.

R.
John.

[Cajun Kid]

John,

Thanks for the update,,, 

I am impressed with all the work you and your welder have done on the cage and chassis,, I love the BIG  X Brace under the car.

FYI - My seat is Bolted Direct to the Cage and Chassis in 7 places with 7/16 Grade 8's and my seat belt mounting tabs are duel 3/16 plate welded direct to the Frame Rails and Cross Braces.

Keep it up

Charles

[John (Maryland)]

The body has been reinstalled for completing fabrication of the rear housing and housing ends.   

R. John.

[stratman59]

Two seats you must planning on driving around town a little or are you  planning giving Charles a ride in a fast car. 

Robbie

P,S  just having fun Charles!!!

[Cajun Kid]

Hey John, It is looking good.

Two seats you must planning on driving around town a little or are you  planning giving Charles a ride in a fast car. 

Robbie

P,S  just having fun Charles!!!

Now Now Robbie,,, I know you are just poking fun....BUT...When you really wanna feel the rush of speed!!!
make sure you use the lil Porta Pottie first !!! and then you can drive my car...(don't want my seat messed in  )

Charles

[John (Maryland)]

Robbie.

The passenger seat is removable but needed to ensure clearances with the driveshaft tunnel, etc.; may drive on the street with a soft motor; will also use for teaching my grandson to drive a race car.


Charles.

You are way ahead diligently working days and nights (not a joke).
R.
John.

[stratman59]

You  got me there Charles, but we are still having fun
Robbie

[John (Maryland)]

A couple more pics.

R.
John.

[will6er]

John -

I'm trying to figure out how to post my photos.










Guess I haven't figured it out yet.

Will