Updating Suspension in a 57 Buick

Discussion in 'Classic Buicks' started by 421-6speed, Jan 14, 2012.

  1. 421-6speed

    421-6speed Well-Known Member

    I got the shields made and fitted to the bumper ends. Now I just need to get everything welded back together and the bumpers will be ready for plating. I am going to make a stainless exhaust tip that will resemble the original shield. The tip will be welded to the end of the exhaust pipe and use the original hanger. It should work real good and keep the exhaust out of the bumper ends.

    Bumper Ends Exhaust Shield 1.jpg Bumper Ends Exhaust Shield 2.jpg Bumper Ends Exhaust Shield 3.jpg Bumper Ends Exhaust Hanger.jpg Bumper Ends Exhaust Shield Original 1.jpg Bumper Ends Exhaust Shield Original 2.jpg
     
    Last edited: Oct 5, 2018
  2. 421-6speed

    421-6speed Well-Known Member

    I decided to use a hydroboost system for the brakes. I got this out of a Astro Van. I am not going to use the Astro Van master cylinder but a 92-02 Camaro master.

    Hydroboost 1.jpg Hydroboost 2.jpg Hydroboost 3.jpg
     
    Last edited: Oct 5, 2018
  3. 421-6speed

    421-6speed Well-Known Member

    I bought a set of Ed Miller C4-C5 caliper brackets so I could install my C5 Zo6 Rotors and Calipers. I was a little disappointed in the bracket. I could have made these myself but decided to buy them as his site said included all hardware and figured it would save me some running around as I don't stock Metric Fasteners. The abutment brackets that mount to the spindle use a 14-2 mm bolt. Ed tapped the bracket for a 12mm bolt and then supplied 12-1.25mm bolts. Well needless to say that was a sloppy fit and I was not to happy so I drilled out the brackets to 9/16" then used the stock abutment bracket bolts from the C4 and bought four 14-2mm nuts. Then set everything up and tacked the nuts to the brackets. What should have taken me fifteen minutes ended up taking half a day by the time I ran into town...[​IMG]All in all it did turn out good. Here are few pics.

    C4-C5 Front Brakes Ed Miller Brackets 1.jpg C4- C5 Front Brakes Ed Miller Brackets 2.jpg C4- C5 Front Brakes Ed Miller Brackets 3.jpg C4-C5 Front Brakes Ed Miller Brackets 4.jpg C5 Front Brakes Driver Caliper.jpg C5 Front Brakes Wheel.jpg
     
    Last edited: Oct 5, 2018
  4. 421-6speed

    421-6speed Well-Known Member

    Got the bumper ends back yesterday in copper. Welded the plates back in with the new shields I made to seal up the bumper ends from exhaust. Now I have to block out the copper to 220 then take them back to the plater for final chrome.

    Bumper Ends In Copper 1.jpg Bumper Ends In Copper 5.jpg Bumper Ends In Copper 7.jpg
     
    Last edited: Oct 5, 2018
  5. 421-6speed

    421-6speed Well-Known Member

    I got the bumper ends blocked out today. I took them down with 220 then hit them with 320 and then hit the edges and a quick once over with 600.

    Bumper Ends In Copper Blocked 1.jpg Bumper Ends In Copper Blocked 2.jpg
     
    Last edited: Oct 5, 2018
  6. 421-6speed

    421-6speed Well-Known Member

    I knew my grill was in nice shape but, it needed to be cleaned up and, sense I have been working with the Chrome guy I figured I had better get the grill out and see if it was good enough to use as is or, if it was going to need to go to the chrome shop. After 2-days of cleaning the 56 years of dirt from between the bars it looks great. The chrome on this thing is like new and does not have a single pit...:Brow: The eye brow and the bumper are also in nice shape but will be headed off to the chrome shop...:dollar:

    I also have 2-trim pieces I need to identify and, then I am not sure where the top ends of the grill bolt to. If there is a bracket that needs to identify or what? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks Dan

    Grill & Bumper.jpg Unknown Trim 3.jpg Grill 2.jpg
     
    Last edited: Oct 5, 2018
  7. Smartin

    Smartin antiqueautomotiveservice.com Staff Member

    The two pieces you have pictured cover the top door hinges with a single screw in the center. I'll get a photo of mine installed in a bit.
     
  8. Smartin

    Smartin antiqueautomotiveservice.com Staff Member

  9. 421-6speed

    421-6speed Well-Known Member

    Martin, Thank You. I had a feeling they were some kind of cover but I would not have thought of the door hinges...:Dou:
     
  10. 421-6speed

    421-6speed Well-Known Member

    I'm headed back to the chrome shop in the morning. Picking up a bunch of stuff that is in copper and ready for me to block out. Then dropping off my rear bumper parts ready for final plating along with the rear taillight housings and front bumper ends that I will get back in copper. Here is the center section all blocked in 320. I think the final product is going to look great...[​IMG]

    Rear Bumper Center Blocked in 320 -1.jpg Rear Bumper Center Blocked in 320 -2.jpg
     
    Last edited: Oct 5, 2018
  11. 421-6speed

    421-6speed Well-Known Member

    Well we made it through the hollidays and and now can get back to the important stuff. Most of the chrome is done. I pulled the body back off and am making the brake and fuel lines now. I did fit a 59'-60' Impala fuel tank in but I'm still not completely happy with the fit. I have a few more ideas but will get back to that later. Here are some pics prior to pulling the body.

    Grill & Bumper.jpg Front End Assembled Driver Side.jpg
     
    Last edited: Oct 5, 2018
  12. 421-6speed

    421-6speed Well-Known Member

    Guess I need to post a few pics of my progress. I assembled the front end to check how everything was going to fit then disassembled and pulled the body to finish off the last of the chassis. I decided to make my own carrier bearing using the original cup from the 66' Wildcat drive line I am using. I cut the spot welds off the flange that attached to the cut and then bolted to the frame of the Wildcat. Then used a piece of 2-1/2" box tubing to make the pedestal. It worked out real nice. I also welded in a piece of 3/16" plate on the bottom of the X-member to give the carrier bearing a nice mounting surface. In order to make the Wildcat drive line fit my chassis I had to cut a section out of the front drive line and then add a section to the back drive line. This gave me the mocked up drive line to take to be rebuilt. The reason I decided to use the original carrier is now I can install new U-joints in what I have and have a new rear tube installed, balance it and I am done. If I would have bought a new billet carrier I would have had to build a whole new drive line. This drive line also has a slip joint. I also made up the tabs for the rear sway bar links and welded them on. Now I am plumbing the brakes and will post some pics of that soon.

    Carrier Bearing 4.jpg Carrier Bearing 5.jpg Carrier Bearing 7.jpg Carrier Bearing Frame Mount.jpg Rear Sway Bar Link Mount 1.jpg Rear Sway Bar Link Mount 2.jpg
     
    Last edited: Oct 5, 2018
  13. 56buickboy

    56buickboy Well-Known Member

    Great progress Dan, I am enjoying following your build and updated pictures.

    I am sure you will need a holiday (vacation) down here in NZ to recover when you have finished though.

    A second pair of hands, and the knowledge you have would certainly help with my build project. :grin:

    Keep up the good work.

    Ross
     
  14. bhambulldog

    bhambulldog 1955 76-RoadmasterRiviera

    Very Nice!!

    As we say here, It looks store bought! (That's good!:TU:)
     
  15. Stickerdick

    Stickerdick New Member

    With those rims and tires, are you going to need to modify the wheel wells or the openings?
     
  16. 421-6speed

    421-6speed Well-Known Member

    Ross, I might just take you up on that proposal. My mom has some friends in NZ and she keeps telling me we need to go down there and visit. I am not joking here...
    :TU:
    ---------- Post added at 09:53 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:47 AM ----------

    I think I may have answered your question aready in another thread but, just in case. No there have been no modifications to the body to fit the wheels and tire combo. The wheels and tires where custom orderd to fit the car. These cars have huge wheel wells. Its just a matter of some simple math to get the figures correct to make the fit.

    ---------- Post added at 09:55 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:53 AM ----------

    James, That is what I strive for to make it look like it came that way...:TU: Thanks for the complement.

    On another note. I have been working on fuel and brake lines. I will post some pics a little later.
     
  17. 421-6speed

    421-6speed Well-Known Member

    I dropped the frame off at the powder coater Tuesday and picked it up today. Also have the 425 assembled. I tried to use the PML valley cover with oil fill and PCV with the Eelco 3X2 intake. In order to make it woke it has to be turned around back wards as shown in the pic and would need to have the carburetor planes milled and the holes re-drilled so I decided to go with another valley cover. Next step is assemble the chassis. The rear end housing is up at Scribner Welding having the final welding on the brackets & control arms.

    Frame Powder Coated 1.jpg Frame Powder Coated 2.jpg Frame Powder Coated 3.jpg 425 Eelco 3X2 Backwards & PML Vally Cover.jpg 425 Assembled.jpg
     
    Last edited: Oct 5, 2018
  18. 56buickboy

    56buickboy Well-Known Member

    It is all coming together nicely Dan. Each time you share I am impressed with the amount of progress you are making. What is the answer for good chassis "electrical earths" after powder coating?

    Do you have to drill or sand back to bare steel or do star type lock washers or similar create enough of an electrical contact?

    What color red have you used on the engine? Disappointing the valley cover doesn't fit as intended.

    Is that Chev or GMC pickup sitting in the back ground another of your projects waiting its turn for nailhead power?

    Keep us updated, I have enjoyed this build.
     
  19. 421-6speed

    421-6speed Well-Known Member

    Ross, Yes I will drill and tap for the ground on the frame. The red on engine is a generic red I picked out. I chose the red because the engine is a 1966 425. The pickup is basically done except for paint. I need to finish it up but I keep getting sidetracked.
     
  20. 421-6speed

    421-6speed Well-Known Member

    I got the front end assembled and the brake & fuel lines installed this weekend. I had made up the brake & fuel lines prior to powder coating the frame.

    Frame Powder Coated Front Suspension Assembled 1.jpg Frame Powder Coated Brake Line Front.jpg Fuel Line 1.jpg Fuel Line 2.jpg
     
    Last edited: Oct 5, 2018

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