Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

Check with Master Power Brakes. I haven't used them yet but have heard good things from other people. Maybe someone else has the same bracket and you could copy it? I will keep my eye open as I am always looking through catalogs and web sites.

Bernie

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

Sorry it took a bit to get back with you. I have Air Ride's shockwave bags up front. With the bag full I have about 5 inchs of clearance from the crossmeber and when they are empty I have about 1.5 inchs of clearance. If you have stock springs and spindle you should have about 8 inches of clearance. I had two inch dropped coils at first but it was'nt low enough for me.

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

So do you know yet how much ground clearance you'll have at ride height? Are you going to run 100% air at ride height = 5"?

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

At this point I don't really know for sure. I know I won't run the bag full as it would be to rough of a ride. More then likely I'll run about 75% full and I figure about 3.5 to 4 inches of clearance for driving and when I show it I'll dump all the air out. Are you going to run bags or dropped spindles?

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

Thanks for the info...I'll be running bags, not shockwaves, but the old school firestone bags.

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

Here are pics of the cutouts in the subframe for the airbags. I borrowed a pick I found on www.porterbuiltstreetrods.com. Looks like they know what they're doing.

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

I have a little more trimming to do before I'm done.

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

Looks like you been busy at it.
your progressing pretty darn good !!

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

Looks good so far. The guy from Porterbuilt knows his stuff and seems to be a cool dude too. I've seen that super sweet blue 55 for sale for $90k on a web site I ran across the other day.

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

Pics of Trans Am suspension parts back from acid washing.

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

Master Power brakes has a master with booster for $280.00 part # BM1752, but I am kinda confused as to how the bracket adapter fits in with all this. I have also heard that chevy s10 and s15 master/boosters will work. Anybody else with helpful info?:o

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

nice thread i keep my eye on this one

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

good thread! i need help - anybody know what year camaro clips can be used? i found a decent priced 1975 trans am that i could use but wonder if it will fit like the one 56chevy1300 is doing here? i am having trouble finding out exactly which year camaro/firebird subframes are the same.
thanks - post reply here or email me at hotrodsbyray@yahoo.com. much appreciated!

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

All 1970 to 1981 Camaro & Firebird's will work. You can also use a Nova clip, it's the same as the Camaro & Firebird.

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

Good source for finding the camaro clips is www.car-parts.com

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

The 70-73 Camaro clips have different frame horns at the front than the 74-81 clips. The 5mph bumper law mandated in '74 required the beefing up of the frame horns to support the shock absorbers that attached to the front bumper. These frames will work, but you have to get a little creative when it comes time to make the mounts for your stock 55-59 bumper. Everything else from the horns back is the same. The 68-72 Nova clip is the same as the 67-69 Camaro/Firebird clips. These are slightly narrower than the 70-81 clips and they have the steering box mounted behind the crossmember (rear steer) whereas the 70-81 clips have the box mounted forward of the crossmember (front steer). The only disadvantage of the Nova clips is that it can get very tight when you have to run the exhaust, and they never came with the massive sway bars that some of the 70-81 clips had (Z28 and Trans Am). The disc brake design is better on the 70-81s, too. Any of these clips will work just fine, but some are better than others.
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****

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

thanks a bunch guys - just the info i needed. the guy has a 75 firebird with 455 and AT. no rust. engine was "grenaded" by the owners teenage son. not sure what he meant by "grenaded" but it cant be good! he wants $600 for the whole car. i really only need the front suspension - i gues i could part the rest and metal scap whats left.
this web site is sooo neat!

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

75-79 nova clips work well. i am using a 77. it has 11" discs and the suspension is the same as camaros/trans ams.

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

1-ton of fun-
That is excellent info! I never knew that the 75-79 Nova clips were the same as the 2nd Generation Camaro/Trans Am clips. That is especially good news, because the availability of the Camaro/Trans Am clips has rapidly dwindled in the last few years. But come to think of it....I haven't seen a 75-79 Nova lately in a wrecking yard, either.
________
Toyota mr2 specifications

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

i bet he didnt whent eazy on his son after he told him the engine was blown up.
could be a simple thing like a headgasket or something serious like a rod sticking out the side , it would be nice when you could fix the engine it would make the car worth a lot more when its time to sell it on .

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

Updated pics...finally had some time to get to paint (forgot to mask the floor). Not quite done with the cutouts for the airbags, but needed to get some paint on the bare metal.

Last 2 pics are of the steering box...I damaged one of the threaded holes...anyone know how I can get this repaired?

Thanks!

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

If you don't mind me asking, what kind of paint did you use?

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

I used Dupont Epoxy Primer/Sealer 2590S...check the first page of my thread, I took a pic of the label. This stuff is awesome for frames and chassis parts, it gives you a factory finish.

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

next time dont bother masking the floor just trow a bucket of water out under the job at hand and nutting will fly up against the paint no more

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

On that steering box the best bet is probably to get a new one. Because those boxes are cast iron they can be a little tough to straighten out without breaking. The toughest part will be removing the flares in order to chase the threads if you try and fix that one. The only other thing you might try is taking a tap and grinding a relief in the bottom that is tapered the opposite of the flare. Then gently try to pick up the threads and maybe the tap will follow. Hope this helps.

Bernie

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

wow really nice work! i liked the truck stock and i think it will look good your way too. your definatly doing it right!

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

It is looking really good! I agree that a new steering box may be your best bet. If it is possible to save then I would though. Since it came on a Trans Am and not a Firebird it is likley a quick ratio one.

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

if it where an aluminium one you could machine out the hole and press/weld in a bush with new tread ....its iron so welding is nearly impossible , the house itself is realy big and has lots of parts inside so pressing a frosen bush in a heated hole isnt going to work either without damaging the insides , epoxy a piece of pipe with fitting in could work if you can make a strong enough bond .
maibe reaming and tapping the little hole in the bottom and screw in an adapter to the piece you needed to screw in originally ..... if you put teflon tape on the tread it might work if you can tap enough tread in there

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

Could it be possible to grind the first 2 or 3 threads off. It doesn't look like it's damaged deeper in. It may be worth a try. Excellent thread!!!

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

Hey 56chevy1300,
I just was looking over all of your thread and felt inclined to tell you what a awesome job you did on your Camaro sub-frame! Your truck is really coming along nicely. Keep up the great work!!

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

Hi guys...thanks for the advice and for the kinds words...I have enjoyed sharing my progress with others who love these old trucks! Not what I wanted to hear about the steering box, and I do believe it is quick ratio. I guess I'll have to go shopping for a new one.

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

I received my subframe video last week and was a bit disappointed in the lack of detail on the core support mounting. Having done a G body subframe before on a 54 I found out this was one area that could cause several headaches. When I asked No Limit about this they told me I was the first person in 20 years to complain. All I was asking for was more information.

Their video is helpful but it could be so much better.

I called them on their $15 shipping fee and they halved it which was still too much IMO for a video.

Good work on your sub frame. I will be starting on my for my 58 this summer once the 54 is on the road.

Thanks for sharing your project.

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

If I have the one I took off of my Camaro subframe it's all yours for the taking. It is not a quick ratio but you can't beat the price....... If you are interested I will look for it and find out what it would cost you to ship it.

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

Hi Houston54, I agree that the video does lack detail about the core support...what kind of headaches are you anticipating? So far, my installation has gone quite smooth, but I have not bolted everything back into place yet.

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

Hi Jebb...wow, thats very generous of you! I am going to do some homework to see if this one can be fixed or what one would cost at a local wrecker. If its more to buy one here that to have yours shipped, then I'll take it!

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

With the front sheet metal being indexed off the core support you could have alignment and fitment issues when you reinstall the front clip if those mounts are not dead on. On my 54 I had to fab a whole new crossmember and even using a jig off the old mounting holes I am having challenges getting everything fitting as it should.
The task force trucks lend themselved to sub frames much more so than the AD series trucks like my 54. I am hoping it is not an issue when I go to do mine.

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

For your steering box issues try this web site. http://www.steeringsolutions.com/
There is a toll free # and talk to Randy. He might have a fix or a replacement. They are located in Surrey, B.C.

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

I agree however I did test fit the core support and there is some play with the mounting position (left/right/forward/back); the only issue I can is if the support it too high...I guess time will tell!

QUOTE=Houston54;2062293]With the front sheet metal being indexed off the core support you could have alignment and fitment issues when you reinstall the front clip if those mounts are not dead on. On my 54 I had to fab a whole new crossmember and even using a jig off the old mounting holes I am having challenges getting everything fitting as it should.
The task force trucks lend themselved to sub frames much more so than the AD series trucks like my 54. I am hoping it is not an issue when I go to do mine.[/QUOTE]

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

Thanks poncho villa, I have emailed Randy at Steering Solutions and am just waiting for a response.

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

Wow, Randy was fast in getting back to me. Here's what he wrote:

"May be possible to take the dent out and tap. If tapping the input would have to come out anyways because of filings. say from 30.00 to more than it is worth to do. One of those thing that one does not know until they try to repair. Have fixed numerous gears with similar troubles and also failed on others. Worst case scenario is the housing goes in the scrap bin and you purchase a Reman. Not a big deal as that gear is ready to be redone anyways from the looks of her. Thirty years is pretty good life out of a gear. Base price on a Reman with existing configuration is 249.00 . Depending on what upgrades to the gear that you wish to include the price could go as high as 369.00.

Thanks Randy"

Okay where do I go from here?