Thread: 1951 Chevy Deluxe Build

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New to the forum and just wanted to say hello. Also I have some questions. Gathering up information for building my 1951 Chevy Deluxe. My great grandpa bought it new and now I'm wanting to help my dad build the car into a hot rod street cruisin car. Looking into putting in a 383 and was wanting to know some steps to start with. I've also looked into putting in a mustang II front end. Thanks for any help.

welcome to chr. i am sure that there are alot of people here that can help you. not familiar with you car but would love to see pictures of it. it is always great to work with family.

Welcome to the club. Iam sure you will find a lot of good people here for advice. enjoy your stay.

Check out www.chassisengineering.com they will have everything you need to do this.

Welcome to CHR! The '51 is a neat old Chebbie, number of folks on here have one from the same era, but this one being Grandpa's, and building it with your Dad makes it an extra special project!!!!! I've got a great source for MII type front suspension, use them on a lot of projects around here....Let me know if I can help you out on any of the suspension issues!

Have fun with the project and keep us updated on your project with some pictures!

Welcome to CHR! I'm new here also. Lot's of knowledge on this site without the bull.

I'm building a 50 Chevy 2 door as we speak. Lets see some pictures of yours. Good luck on the build.

sweet looking car bouncer

Originally Posted by jyardgirl

sweet looking car bouncer

Don't want to steal this thread but thank you jyardgirl.

Welcome. From what I have seen, putting a later suspension in one of these, like the MMII type, is the way to go. The early Chevy front suspension can be rebuilt and updated somewhat, but they still have those kingpins to deal with that require periodic greasing and attention, plus you are still riding around on 60 year old technology. Modern suspension and some radials will make this car handle and ride so much better. Probably will make slipping in a V8 a lot easier too as the crossmembers tend to be more compact on the MMII types.

Keep us posted and put up lots of pictures. It will help anyone else who might be thinking about doing a similar swap in the future. BTW, don't toss out the old spindles and brakes. Put them on EBAY, individually, and you will get some good money for them. 49-54 spindles are hard to come by as are the brake setups, and lots of straight axle guys use an axle with the Chevy ends on them.

Don

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.

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.