Thread: 1951 Chevy Deluxe Build

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Call it whatever you want, it was still designed to carry a little fourbanger in a 2000 pound econobox back in the '60's. Might be okay to roll on and off a trailer. It won't stand up under a 3500 pound car with a V8, if you are actually going to drive it in the real world. The original front end works well, and did so under Corvettes up until '63. Sure, if you chuck enough cash at aftermarket parts it can be made to work, but the stock Chevy stuff is already there and working.
By the way, did you ever drive a MII? Worst piece of crap on the American road!

Originally Posted by R Pope

By the way, did you ever drive a MII? Worst piece of crap on the American road!

I've sold and installed front suspension systems for better then 25 years now--none of them had stamped steel arms and floppy rubber joints like the OEM parts... The only thing that is MII is some of the geometry, and little of that! The quality units have little if any bump steer issues, anti-dive angle that keeps the front up under braking, and excellent adjustability on camber and caster static settings and gain settings. The MII nomenclature is nothing more then a name...kind of like everyone calling filler "bondo". The only thing MII on the quality units these days is the spindle, and the quality one's are forged spindles vs. the cast OEM units...

I've owned numerous Mustangs in the '79 to '05 range. None of them were world class handling when stock, but with some tweaking and parts changes they'll do an admirable job.... and yes, it talkes money to do this.... I work hard for my money and spend the majority of it on cars...I just like quality, I guess.

A '79 Mustang is a whole 'nother animal compared to a '78.
Sure, the quasi-MII stuff is pretty good, but why spend a truckload of money to end up no better off than you were? If you were starting with, say, a knuckle-joint '39 Chevy with no useable parts, the MII might be the way to go.
I have a few old Chev's, a '52 and a '54, and there is nothing wrong with the way they work. I have also had to drag some Mustang II's off the road after they tripped over their own front wheels for no apparent reason. One went end over end on a straight road when a cross wind unloaded one front wheel. No thank you!

Originally Posted by Hotrodin51

Thanks for all the replies and info fellas. Once I get the garage cleaned up and tart working on her I will start posting some pics. One other question is it adviseable to do the engine and chassis work before paint and body or is it the other way around. Thanks again.

I do all the engine and chassis work first. If your rebuilding stock you can paint as you go along. If your fabricating everything I like to mock it all up first then take it back apart for paint.

Well I just figured get the engine bay and other drivetrain ducks in a row and then paint to prevent scratchin the paint while working. Planning on leaving the body and everything the same well except for the factory paint, then just give it some more power and handling improvements.

One more question. How dumb would it be to put a 454 bolted to a Turbo 400 into the car or is it even possible. Have a buddy who bought a truck for the axles and it came with 454 and a turbo 400 which he is gonna sell. Any info appreciated.

do it.the 454 would be cool.

Think the 454 would be cool also but I dont think it would fit or at least not with out a lot of modification considering it would have to have a turbo 400 and probably a 12 bolt rear. My favored plans are a 383 with a built 200r4 and a 10 bolt 8.5.

my chevy has had some 454 s now 548 with a blower. stock front with the bell crank center arm is juck . could you get the 454 in there with that old front end maybe but fender well headers would be a must . i clip my car many years ago so the BBC is a drop in. with the stock front the a bbc would be a hand full to turn the car at a dead stop my car with the stock front and SBC was not that much fun with the clip and power steer thing fun to drive