Re: 1949 Chevy 3600 into a daily driver
 

UP next is front shock mounting.

The over the frame headers are taking up a bunch of room. Not sure if I can fit them behind the LCA. looking at in front of the LCA now.

Amy suggestions?

Re: 1949 Chevy 3600 into a daily driver
 

Steering might be in the way even more.

Re: 1949 Chevy 3600 into a daily driver
 

Looks great. It is always great when it is a roller again.

Shannon

Re: 1949 Chevy 3600 into a daily driver
 

Like Lower, I think the tie rods will be in the way in front. Can you build a top mount that tucks in under the header? Might make the shock pretty short though. Alternative would be shock waves in the front.

Re: 1949 Chevy 3600 into a daily driver
 

There is a little room there, but it does get tight.

https://kustomcreations.smugmug.com/...00822580-L.jpg

https://kustomcreations.smugmug.com/...1011278-X2.jpg

I am not sure if I can get underneath the header unless I notch the frame a bit for clearance.

Might have to source some shorter shocks. The one I have is about 9" compressed.

Re: 1949 Chevy 3600 into a daily driver
 

I used s-10 shocks and this is what my mount turned out like do you have 4" behind the a-arm?
Attachment 1518919

Re: 1949 Chevy 3600 into a daily driver
 

Not the best picture, but it gives you an idea.

https://kustomcreations.smugmug.com/...5737_HDR-L.jpg

The #1 cyl exhaust pipe is right where I need to mount a upper shock bracket. Off of memory it is only about 2"-3" above the frame. I tried fitting the bracket I built last night under the header and it would not fit. That bracket is about .75" too short.

Re: 1949 Chevy 3600 into a daily driver
 

First thing I need to get my toe out set so I know exactly how much room I have to work with.

After that I can come up with a plan.

Earlier in the project these little obstacles were really fun, but now they are a real irritation. There is very little info out there regarding this crossmember, on bags, etc. Feels like I am reinventing the wheel......


One thing I am tossing around now is a small notch in the LCA allowing clearance for the shock in the front. I have room, but I am not sure if I have enough. Simple sketch below.....Obviously not to scale.

https://kustomcreations.smugmug.com/...4634690-X2.jpg

Re: 1949 Chevy 3600 into a daily driver
 

Looks like youre gonna have to revise that #1 cyl pipe, cut it and move in inwards until you have enough room to get your shaft by it. then just tweek the pipes back together where they collect and weld em up.

see my photochopp

Re: 1949 Chevy 3600 into a daily driver
 

It would actually be beneficial to shorten up all 4 pipes 2", but that eliminates my steering column path.

Re: 1949 Chevy 3600 into a daily driver
 

I don't know if was brought up before but what about just some center dump headers?

Re: 1949 Chevy 3600 into a daily driver
 

I feel your pain on overcoming the obstacles Coach. Have the 4th set of engine mounts in mine and still not 100% happy.

I wouldn't notch the control arm as I don't know what it will do to the strength of it. Obviously reduce it though don't know how much.

There almost looks like there is room with the shock mounted in front. Like you said, set toe and re-evaluate.

You don't want a shock so short that it bottoms out before the suspension bottoms out on the control arm snubber.

Keep the faith, you will get it figured out.

Re: 1949 Chevy 3600 into a daily driver
 

I have a set of center dump block huggers, but unfortunately they will not work with this massive Danforth Crossmember.

I am pretty set on keeping these headers unless I run out of options.

Re: 1949 Chevy 3600 into a daily driver
 

I am not going to lie....it is a bit discouraging. It is fun to spend and evening in the garage and end on a good positive note. Ending with your brain filled with questions is a a huge drain.

Step by step.....first up set the toe.

Re: 1949 Chevy 3600 into a daily driver
 

are you going to run a sway bar? I havent done it but I remember seeing guys run their shocks on the sway bar. otherwise I think you can just rotate the first header pipe slightly up and have room for a shock off the back of the arm. If you had tubular arms there might be room to run them down through the upper, just spitballing.


thats not a very good alternative for a bagged truck that lays out, shockwaves only have 4" of lift and that is maxed out, meaning it will ride like a square wheel only 4" raised from full droop. shockwaves make more sense on a ride that has good ground clearance already and needs a 2" drop when parked to look more sinister.

Re: 1949 Chevy 3600 into a daily driver
 

Coach529, here is how I did Ken's steering. I ended up having to use 3 joints with a stand off on the middle one to get it by the fender well headers. You might have to cut down the end of the steering column to shorten it up to the edge of the fire wall. Then that would get your joint back a little further. Steering can be a ***** sometimes.

Shannon

Re: 1949 Chevy 3600 into a daily driver
 

[QUOTE=joedoh;7550455]are you going to run a sway bar? I havent done it but I remember seeing guys run their shocks on the sway bar. otherwise I think you can just rotate the first header pipe slightly up and have room for a shock off the back of the arm. If you had tubular arms there might be room to run them down through the upper, just spitballing.[QUOTE]

I have a sway bar for this front end.....but I am not sure right now if I will have room.

Tubular arms are not in the budget......

I hope to get the toe set tonight so I will have a better idea...

Re: 1949 Chevy 3600 into a daily driver
 

I had a breakthrough couple hours in the shop and ended on a positive note.

I set my toe in and decided the front of the LCA would not work. I needed to go on the back of the LCA......but had to clear the headers. I kept thinking about straightening out the shock a bit, rather than leaning it back towards the frame. I took some 2" flat and bent it up and put a quick gusset on side to brace it and tacked it on the frame.

https://kustomcreations.smugmug.com/..._DSC5547-L.jpg

https://kustomcreations.smugmug.com/..._DSC5552-L.jpg

First I bolted the shock to the side of the LCA but I was not happy with the minimal clearance. I then made a quick mounting tab and tack it to the LCA and that gives me almost 2" of clearance when the spindle is on the stop. I might bump the bottom of the shock out towards the ball joint another inch or so.

https://kustomcreations.smugmug.com/...DSC5553-X2.jpg

I plan to gusset the other side of the mount as well as build another mounting tab on the LCA.

https://kustomcreations.smugmug.com/..._DSC5556-L.jpg

Re: 1949 Chevy 3600 into a daily driver
 

Current punch list, although I am sure I am missing some stuff!!

https://kustomcreations.smugmug.com/...age-001-XL.jpg

Re: 1949 Chevy 3600 into a daily driver
 

well you should have that list knocked out by next weekend.

Marc

Re: 1949 Chevy 3600 into a daily driver
 

Don't think I am quite that motivated........

Re: 1949 Chevy 3600 into a daily driver
 

punch list!

Re: 1949 Chevy 3600 into a daily driver
 

Hey Coach, congratulations on finding a solution to your shock mount! Looks good. It is really rewarding to solve these fabrication problems.

Re: 1949 Chevy 3600 into a daily driver
 

Quiet Saturday, which almost happens.

Wife went to an auction with our youngest, and the oldest was away at some training for work. That only left me and my 12 year old at home and he was preoccupied with some homework. Only dad in the garage.......PERFECT!!

Picked up some steel and went to work.

The beginning of a column support.....

https://kustomcreations.smugmug.com/..._DSC5562-L.jpg

20 minutes later

https://kustomcreations.smugmug.com/..._DSC5564-L.jpg

I did not think the dowel rod was going to hold up long term....so it was replaced with some 3/4" rolled steel bar.

https://kustomcreations.smugmug.com/..._DSC5566-L.jpg

Pinned with roll pins and started welding.

https://kustomcreations.smugmug.com/..._DSC5569-L.jpg

Motor back out and the modified motor mount was final welded, as well as the shock mounts.

https://kustomcreations.smugmug.com/...DSC5570-X2.jpg

After all that.........it got a coat of paint.....

https://kustomcreations.smugmug.com/..._DSC5571-L.jpg

Re: 1949 Chevy 3600 into a daily driver
 

It is always nice to knock a problem off the punch list!!