Crossmemeber Modification Chevrolet Passenger Car

[cbmkr]

Ordered some new crossmembers for the restoration project on my 50 chevy, they did not have the flanges that fit to the inner rocker. Had to make some and tig them on.
Set the 200DX at 35 amps, nice smooth job easy to control the puddle , used 035 wire for filler.

[youngnstudly]

That sounds like a cool project! My dad had a couple of 1950 Chevy Sedan Deliveries years back. One had the hot-rodded 235 with multiple carburation and a 4 speed, the other had a 365-horse Corvette 327 with a 4 speed. Both cool cars! The 6-cylinder one was nosed and decked and had a bunch of custom work done to it.

What body style is your car? 2 door post, hardtop, slope back, convertible? I love the hardtops and slope backs just because you never see them. Even the convertibles are cool for the same reason. They are all pretty cool though.

[cbmkr]

Mine is a Fleetline 4 Door ( lot of people call them fastbacks ), The body lines on these old cars were not close. One of the older GM line workers i know commented if you hit the A pillar hard enough at the hinges with a big hammer while 2 guys inside are pushing on it you can adjust the door pretty easy. If it shut and did not leak water it was good.

Thats the way this one was All the lower body chrome was gone and holes filled and Hood shaved and nose smoothed, No bumpers . 235 Built 485 lift 110 lobe camshaft .060 over bore nice little 5500 rpm engine 3:73 rear with 256 muncie 4 speed.

[youngnstudly]

That's sweet! You won't lose track of it in the grocery store parking lot next to all the late model cars and SUV's! The fact it's not an automatic is even better! My dad's SD had the salt flat discs on it and he was doing the whole Salt flat look for the car, which he bought originally to make a parts delivery car from for his shop.

I always like hearing stories from the guys that worked in the factory (or even shops back in the day). You're right about the old cars being total production cars, paint wasn't great, body lines didn't always line up, they weren't perfect by any means, yet they still sold millions over the years and those cars were good enough then. Now everyone expects perfection with everything!

[cbmkr]

Been a while since i posted any pics of my old chevy, Floors repaired croosmembers replaced all the quarters and doors have been repaired. New front suspension from 85 Jaguar XJ6, GM 10 Bolt with Firebird Disc Brakes. Just finished making the 2 piece hood a one piece and shaving it down and bull nosing the front.

You might see in the background the Aluminum cabinet with the lexan window. Made a 6' x 6' x 36" deep blast cabinet to do fenders,hoods and doors.

The 200DX and my Millermatic mig were both involved in this project.

[DaveO]

Looks like it's coming together nicely! Cool that you're fabbing up equipment to make it happen.

New front suspension from 85 Jaguar XJ6, GM 10 Bolt with Firebird Disc Brakes.

This line made me think of that old song, "One Piece at at Time'.

"But up there at the court house they didn't laugh
Cause to type it up it took the whole staff
And when they got through the title weighed 60 pounds"

[cbmkr]

World Class T5 5 speed also, But still going to use the old 6 Cyl that was race built in the early 70's.

[Rambozo]

Keep those pics coming. Jag in the front instead of the back is different.

[cbmkr]

The front fit too easy , the alignment hole in the jag front that set the wheel base at the plant fit the chevy. There were 8 holes in each side of the chevy's frame to hold the old suspension. The second hole on the outside lined up with the jag hole and set the wheelbase to the chevy's stock measurement. Jag used Chevy bolt pattern and a Saginaw GM power steering pump and hoses. The spring weight was the same also as the jag had a 6 cyl also.

[cbmkr]

Got the hood shaved and both halves welded together, had to modify the fenders as they were off a Deluxe model . Welded up the trim holes and did some patch panel metal repair also. I Will go over this front end for fitment and final details as the whole car will be torn down and off to paint. Looks like paint will be next late week.

After paint i will assemble everything but the front clip and then set the engine and transmission, Then the fenders and hood grill ect.