 flatout
"2nd Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 231
Loc: Idaho
Reg: 12-15-01
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01-11-22 04:33 PM - Post#2834373
I bought this '51 Coupe in 1995. The engine was disassembled, the interior was shot, but overall it was a good solid car that was originally sold in my home town. I don't have a lot of pictures of the early years, but I'll add what I can find.
My sons and I installed a tired 216 engine that we had around and we drove it like that for a few years. After a while, I built a '54 235 ci and installed a 5 speed and S10 rear end on the stock rear springs. I put about 50,000 miles on it in that configuration.
Edited by flatout on 01-11-22 09:37 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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flatout
"2nd Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 231
Loc: Idaho
Reg: 12-15-01
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01-11-22 04:42 PM - Post#2834374
In response to flatout
1st photo:
The 235 ci was built with the following:
Decked block
Slightly milled head
compression ratio about 9:1
Mild solid lifter cam
modified late model 6 cylinder HEI
Langdon's 2 bbl carburetor
(I don't know how to straighten this picture...)
2nd photo is on a return trip from LA and the LA roadster show.
Averaged about 21 mpg.
3rd photo is at the Bonneville Salt Flats
Edited by flatout on 01-11-22 06:49 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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flatout
"2nd Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 231
Loc: Idaho
Reg: 12-15-01
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01-11-22 04:54 PM - Post#2834376
In response to flatout
The biggest update came in 2017 when I decided to install a Jaguar front suspension and air conditioning.
That project included completely gutting the interior for new front floor pans and installing sound deadening, front to rear rewiring, new steering column and 66 Impala steering wheel and many, many other "clean up" details.
The first step was to find centerline of the stock front end. I was happy with where the tire was in the wheel well, so no adjustment was necessary.
Then it was time to remove the stock suspension
Edited by flatout on 01-11-22 05:08 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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flatout
"2nd Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 231
Loc: Idaho
Reg: 12-15-01
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01-11-22 05:29 PM - Post#2834380
In response to flatout
After doing a lot of measuring, I found that the 1985 Jag front suspension is 2.5" wider than the stock Chevy. I had decided to use the Jag rather than a common aftermarket suspension because I felt it would be more durable. I've seen too many cracked crossmembers and broken and bent components on aftermarket kits. I drive this a lot and don't want any of those issues.
I didn't want to increase the track width so I narrowed the cross member 2.5"
I also narrowed the rack and pinion the same amount so it would keep proper geometry. I also removed the power assist piston so it is now a manual rack.
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flatout
"2nd Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 231
Loc: Idaho
Reg: 12-15-01
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01-11-22 05:50 PM - Post#2834381
In response to flatout
I fit the cross member to the bottom of the frame to see where the ride height would be. I had cut the coil springs in the stock front suspension and I liked the ride height. I didn't want the car to sit any higher in the front with this suspension.
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flatout
"2nd Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 231
Loc: Idaho
Reg: 12-15-01
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01-11-22 06:06 PM - Post#2834383
In response to flatout
I located the centerline of the cross member and referenced it from the front of the frame rail.
After measuring the ride height I decided that the cross member would need to be recessed into the frame rails. This would also provide a good welding joint. I notched the frame rails and slipped the crossmember in and welded it solid.
Edited by flatout on 01-11-22 06:54 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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flatout
"2nd Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 231
Loc: Idaho
Reg: 12-15-01
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01-11-22 07:00 PM - Post#2834387
In response to flatout
I made these upper shock brackets to accept some short shocks I found. After driving with them, I didn't like them so I had to extend the brackets and put on some longer Bilstein shocks. They work really well.
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flatout
"2nd Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 231
Loc: Idaho
Reg: 12-15-01
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01-11-22 07:19 PM - Post#2834388
In response to flatout
The '51 was a front mount engine so I had to make side mounts for the '54 block.
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flatout
"2nd Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 231
Loc: Idaho
Reg: 12-15-01
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01-11-22 07:22 PM - Post#2834389
In response to flatout
This is the frame half of the engine mounts.
Edited by flatout on 01-11-22 07:32 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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flatout
"2nd Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 231
Loc: Idaho
Reg: 12-15-01
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01-11-22 07:29 PM - Post#2834390
In response to flatout
How do you delete a photo in the "manage files" area?
Nevermind. I found the remove button.
Edited by flatout on 01-11-22 07:30 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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55 Shaker
Member
Posts: 1675
Age: 72
Loc: north central IL.
Reg: 03-13-06
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01-11-22 07:56 PM - Post#2834392
In response to flatout
Ken!!! you gotta be proud of that workmanship. 
| The older I get, the more dangerous, I am !!!! |
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flatout
"2nd Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 231
Loc: Idaho
Reg: 12-15-01
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01-11-22 08:17 PM - Post#2834393
In response to flatout
Some black paint covers up all the bare metal.
Then it was time to weld up a zillion holes in the firewall. I elected to eliminate the ribs.
I put a dimple in the firewall to gain extra clearance around the Fenton headers I was installing. I ended up changing it some and making it larger and smoother. I'll try and find a picture.
Edited by flatout on 01-11-22 08:21 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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flatout
"2nd Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 231
Loc: Idaho
Reg: 12-15-01
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01-11-22 08:23 PM - Post#2834394
In response to flatout
Here's a couple of photos during assembly
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flatout
"2nd Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 231
Loc: Idaho
Reg: 12-15-01
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01-11-22 08:24 PM - Post#2834395
In response to 55 Shaker
Thank you!
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 tommy49
"8th Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 3275
Loc: Kaleva, Michigan
Reg: 09-28-12
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01-11-22 08:28 PM - Post#2834396
In response to flatout
Great workmanship, Ken!
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flatout
"2nd Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 231
Loc: Idaho
Reg: 12-15-01
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01-11-22 08:35 PM - Post#2834397
In response to flatout
Now I pay the price for moving the cross member up. I need to modify the inner fender panels. And the vent tube, and the heater box. All to gain clearance for the upper A arms.
Edited by flatout on 01-11-22 08:35 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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flatout
"2nd Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 231
Loc: Idaho
Reg: 12-15-01
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01-11-22 08:41 PM - Post#2834398
In response to flatout
I flipped the drivers side air tube so there would be more clearance for the a/c compressor that was to come.
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flatout
"2nd Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 231
Loc: Idaho
Reg: 12-15-01
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01-11-22 08:46 PM - Post#2834399
In response to tommy49
Great workmanship, Ken!
Thanks Tommy!
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flatout
"2nd Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 231
Loc: Idaho
Reg: 12-15-01
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01-11-22 09:14 PM - Post#2834400
In response to flatout
While it was torn apart it was time for new front floor pans. The rest of the floor is solid. Only the L and R front needed replaced.
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flatout
"2nd Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 231
Loc: Idaho
Reg: 12-15-01
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01-11-22 09:28 PM - Post#2834401
In response to flatout
I wanted to add shoulder belts so I made a "bung" to weld into the B pillar. I trimmed the inner skin so it could be welded in flush.
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flatout
"2nd Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 231
Loc: Idaho
Reg: 12-15-01
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01-11-22 09:35 PM - Post#2834402
In response to flatout
When I cleaned up and painted the vent doors, all of the "horse hair" gaskets had disintegrated. I bought some felt and cut some crescent shapes and worked them into the doors with a couple of screw drivers. It took a while, but they work good now and seal up great.
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 gcrkfrd
"4th Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 406
Age: 75
Loc: Neosho, MO.
Reg: 04-01-18
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01-12-22 09:33 AM - Post#2834418
In response to flatout
Really nice work-
1952 Styleline Sedan, 62-235, Drum brakes, Manual steering, 2" Drop, 8-60 AC, Glass packs, Two Carbs, and a Cast Iron PowerGlide-
Way out behind the Old School
Half a Dozen in a Row, all it needs for Her to go.
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 Dean50
"15th Year" Gold Supporting Member
Posts: 1812
Loc: Detroit area
Reg: 01-02-07
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01-12-22 03:06 PM - Post#2834441
In response to flatout
Always did like that car. Awesome work!
Dean50
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 Keith_Knox
Member #189 Moderator and "20th Year" Platinum Supporting Member
Posts: 6875
Age: 80
Loc: Napa, Ca USA
Reg: 04-02-00
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01-12-22 04:08 PM - Post#2834446
In response to flatout
Outstanding work. I don't have patience for a large build.
29-41, 42-48, 49-54 Moderator
1948 Chevy Fleetmaster Coupe Purchased 6/2010. Stock with rebuilt 52 216 installed May 1966.
1965 Chevy II 2 door post 350 3 speed manual
2019 Ford Ranger Lariat Super Crewcab |
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flatout
"2nd Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 231
Loc: Idaho
Reg: 12-15-01
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01-12-22 08:19 PM - Post#2834460
In response to flatout
Thanks for the complements.
I came across this old Tattersfield dual carb intake that I wanted to run. It was originally for a 216, so the port diameter was different than the 848 head I was running. I needed to use the adapter type intake rings, but I also found that the intake was too close to the Fenton headers I was going to run. I needed to space the intake away from the head about 1/4". I decided to machine some spacers that had different diameters on each end to precisely locate the intake to the head. Hopefully the pictures explain it better.
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flatout
"2nd Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 231
Loc: Idaho
Reg: 12-15-01
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01-12-22 08:33 PM - Post#2834461
In response to flatout
After the intake and Fenton headers were installed, I installed a set of Langdon's progressive 2bbl carbs. I wanted to get away from the rod type throttle linkage and use a cable. I fabricated a bell crank arrangement and modified the linkage I got from Langdon.
I also made new manifold clamps because the stock ones just wouldn't fit right due to the Fentons and the new intake mounting.
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eplantage
Valued Contributor
Posts: 2528
Loc: Southern MN
Reg: 03-15-04
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01-13-22 06:06 AM - Post#2834477
In response to flatout
Beautiful!
Age: 67 at the moment
1950 Chevrolet Sedan Delivery
1953 BelAir Convertible Project
2002 Heritage Springer FLSTSI
1930 Model A Standard Coupe |
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rrausch
"17th Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 14814
Loc: L.A, Cal. & St. Louis...
Reg: 04-07-03
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01-13-22 08:13 AM - Post#2834482
In response to eplantage
Wow! Just... WOW. Beautiful welds and great fabrication skills.
1953 210 Convertible, 261 with dual Carter YF 966S carbs, P.S., Remote Bendix P.B. Booster... shade-tree restoration about done.
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52HardTop
Frequent Contributor
Posts: 1727
Age: 67
Loc: North Haven, Connecticut
Reg: 05-09-04
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01-13-22 01:19 PM - Post#2834489
In response to flatout
In my humble opinion, you have the best intake for your engine. I've found it to be the easiest to tune my carbs with and the runners will allow an unrestricted air fuel flow into the cylinders. They don't look too bad either!!
2011 Camaro SS 426 HP, Red Jewel Tint. Killer!
52 Bel Air a traditional 50s Ride.
51 Convertible a 60s Ride.
51 1/2 Ton pickup soon to be a little of both..
1999 C-5 Corvette Convertible. Mid Life Fun..
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Edited by 52HardTop on 01-13-22 01:21 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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Keith_Knox
Member #189 Moderator and "20th Year" Platinum Supporting Member
Posts: 6875
Age: 80
Loc: Napa, Ca USA
Reg: 04-02-00
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01-13-22 01:55 PM - Post#2834492
In response to flatout
The intake spacers you made are very good. I have bought insert's to install a 216 intake manifold on a 235 or visa versa. Have 2 sets of them.
29-41, 42-48, 49-54 Moderator
1948 Chevy Fleetmaster Coupe Purchased 6/2010. Stock with rebuilt 52 216 installed May 1966.
1965 Chevy II 2 door post 350 3 speed manual
2019 Ford Ranger Lariat Super Crewcab |
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