Pridemore Disc brake or Subframe swap which to do?

[Deleted User]

One more set of questions for everyone.



I purchased the Pridemore disc kit a few years ago and am just getting to my 49 hopefully this month. My plans changed and I was going to use a GM G-body sub frame on the front instead. Something like a 84 El Camino. I had a line on one for two months and they guy flaked on me. 3rd time a Craigslist guy has dumped on me in the last month. I'm tired of it...



Now I’m pissed and scrambeling to find another frame, They are very hit or miss to find up here because all the G-bodies get burned up in race cars up here.



So I am planning on putting one of my 454’s in my 49 and I have 10 days off in three weeks and would like to start on the front, I’m scrambling to find another frame but it’s not looking good. Then I thought I do have the Pridemore kit……



So any advice will be of help. After the GF moving out, out of money, I’m pulling my hair out and need to start on some Hudson metal to get my mind off of it all.



Question #1. I have searched a lot and can’t find much on a G-body subframe swap in a step down. I would like any info, rumors, hearsay whatever on the swap..



#2 This will not be a show car, I am doing a 2 door conversion and a motor swap to get it on the road next summer (the 2 door swap may wait if I can get the front end figured out and make it driveable)



#3 Would you guys skip the subframe swap and stick the Pridemore kit under it and call it good?



My main problem is the steering components make it hard to figure out how to stuff a Gm motor in there, is there a Rack and Pinion that I can swap or reverse the spindles and make this a front steer?



Or option #4 is to jump off a bridge. I



have 3 other cars going right now and I am going to stop and focus on the 49, but I'm still not sold on the stock suspension or should I be?

lsfirth

SEWERAT wrote:

One more set of questions for everyone.



I purchased the Pridemore disc kit a few years ago and am just getting to my 49 hopefully this month. My plans changed and I was going to use a GM G-body sub frame on the front instead. Something like a 84 El Camino. I had a line on one for two months and they guy flaked on me. 3rd time a Craigslist guy has dumped on me in the last month. I'm tired of it...



Now I’m pissed and scrambeling to find another frame, They are very hit or miss to find up here because all the G-bodies get burned up in race cars up here.



So I am planning on putting one of my 454’s in my 49 and I have 10 days off in three weeks and would like to start on the front, I’m scrambling to find another frame but it’s not looking good. Then I thought I do have the Pridemore kit……



So any advice will be of help. After the GF moving out, out of money, I’m pulling my hair out and need to start on some Hudson metal to get my mind off of it all.



Question #1. I have searched a lot and can’t find much on a G-body subframe swap in a step down. I would like any info, rumors, hearsay whatever on the swap..



#2 This will not be a show car, I am doing a 2 door conversion and a motor swap to get it on the road next summer (the 2 door swap may wait if I can get the front end figured out and make it driveable)



#3 Would you guys skip the subframe swap and stick the Pridemore kit under it and call it good?



My main problem is the steering components make it hard to figure out how to stuff a Gm motor in there, is there a Rack and Pinion that I can swap or reverse the spindles and make this a front steer?



Or option #4 is to jump off a bridge. I



have 3 other cars going right now and I am going to stop and focus on the 49, but I'm still not sold on the stock suspension or should I be?

If you want to save the most money, then definitely OPTION #4.



Just kidding. You should check out Rambo's Ride website....he does just that....put a BBC into his stepdown using all stock (but some mods) to his steering/suspension. Honestly, the stock hudson front suspension is very solid and has great geometry, but if you're looking to lower it, I have not seen any drop spindles made for these....which seems odd to me. If you look half way through my "mustang II in my '49 brougham" thread, you'll see a guy put a chrysler front clip in....looks very nice....maybe you could look for one of these???



Keep us aprised of your progress!!!



Thanks,

Lee

[Deleted User]

What Lee said go to Dans website. Stick with the stock frame I have a Pridemore kit, works great.:



www.49c8.com



454 Chev, stock Hudson framerail:.

[Deleted User]

I've been looking over Rambo's site and the Eastwood one for a few years now, both very descriptive but I'm not quite sure what he did to the firewall, looks like he had to cut it out. That doesn't worry me at all, I'm just not going to make mine anywhere as nice and need to figure out if it can be put it with out too many mods to the body, I have a 55 in line that will need more attention and this will be a driver as fast as I can for the summer.



I think Rambo (Sorry don't know his real name) comes on here a lot right?? I can't quite figure out what was done there. I can use a small block, but I have a running 454 which I figured why not put it in a Hudson. :rolleyes:

rambos_ride

SEWERAT wrote:

I've been looking over Rambo's site and the Eastwood one for a few years now, both very descriptive but I'm not quite sure what he did to the firewall, looks like he had to cut it out. That doesn't worry me at all, I'm just not going to make mine anywhere as nice and need to figure out if it can be put it with out too many mods to the body, I have a 55 in line that will need more attention and this will be a driver as fast as I can for the summer.

I think Rambo (Sorry don't know his real name) comes on here a lot right?? I can't quite figure out what was done there. I can use a small block, but I have a running 454 which I figured why not put it in a Hudson. :rolleyes:

Rambo's my dog - I'm Dan :D

Nothing like BBC power! Although, a small block would not require some of the mods I had to make.

I only had to modify the firewall to allow for an HEI distributor - mostly because I didn't want to relocate the front motor mounts again to gain the needed clearance.

There's about 6 total mods that are needed to make it all fit together - so I guess it's more up to your comfort level.

If you want to Private Message me we can exchange contact information - that way we can talk and I'd be glad to outline what I did.

Unknown

SEWERAT wrote:

I've been looking over Rambo's site and the Eastwood one for a few years now, both very descriptive but I'm not quite sure what he did to the firewall, looks like he had to cut it out. That doesn't worry me at all, I'm just not going to make mine anywhere as nice and need to figure out if it can be put it with out too many mods to the body, I have a 55 in line that will need more attention and this will be a driver as fast as I can for the summer.



I think Rambo (Sorry don't know his real name) comes on here a lot right?? I can't quite figure out what was done there. I can use a small block, but I have a running 454 which I figured why not put it in a Hudson. :rolleyes:

Id trade the 454 for a 351 or 302 Ford , they will be a way cleaner fit - if you ask me . And I know you didnt .

[Deleted User]

Dan, thanks Bro ill send one your way, would love to pick your brain for sure!



Stateline, Sorry, I'm Chevy thru and thru.. Except for my Hudson, and Some Model A's. Sorry Ill have to pass, but it NEVER hurts to ask!

SuperDave

If you got the Pridemore kit more than a year or so ago,,you might check with Richard on some newer upgrades he has made. I have an early version on my stock front end and added a GM hydroboost mastercylinder to the firewall. I robbed it off an Astro Van. Just drilled the required holes and bolted it on. The pedal needed no alterations either. It gives you the powerboost plus it separates the front and rear brakes. In my mind it's a lot safer. The brakes are as good as any modern car I have driven. The GM engine you have probably already has the power steering pump on it, or at least the brackets are junk yard available. Good Luck, Dave W. Fl

Ol racer

FYI

The Stock Hudson front ends were built durable enough to withstand rough roads before our modern Interstate system was built, not to mention winning a lot of Races on bumpy unpaved Tracks), however replacement Key components, when needed are becoming scarce.

I believe Rack & Pinion Installation in a Stepdown was described in an earlier Forum Thread. Suggest typing the words in the Search Window.



The Pridemore Disc conversion is a great addition.....

Kdancy

SuperDave wrote:

If you got the Pridemore kit more than a year or so ago,,you might check with Richard on some newer upgrades he has made. I have an early version on my stock front end and added a GM hydroboost mastercylinder to the firewall. I robbed it off an Astro Van. Just drilled the required holes and bolted it on. The pedal needed no alterations either. It gives you the powerboost plus it separates the front and rear brakes. In my mind it's a lot safer. The brakes are as good as any modern car I have driven. The GM engine you have probably already has the power steering pump on it, or at least the brackets are junk yard available. Good Luck, Dave W. Fl

What year Astro Van? Picture of your install? Sounds like something I would like to do on a couple of 50's cars.

SuperDave

Kdancy wrote:

What year Astro Van? Picture of your install? Sounds like something I would like to do on a couple of 50's cars.

There are probably several different years, but mine is from a 96 Safari (GM version of the Astro). On my 49 I wasn't using the voltage regulator so it only required removing it and cutting away a little of the horizontal box cross stiffiner. I did make a short brace from the MC up to the firewall to remove any flexing of the firewall from the pedal pressure. The whole assembly extends more than a foot into the engine compartment, but doesn't need the width of a vacuum booster. Since I already had power Rack and Pinion steering the plumbing was easy. and NO I don't recommend the R&P installation unles you are a glutten for punishment.. I would not do it again. :eek:

[Deleted User]

So Dave, is this manual brakes or power (w/o need of a Vacuum booster)? I would be interested in this system as a possible to go with my Fatman's MII system if it's not as bulky as a vacuum booster. I assume yours is set-up for front disc/rear drums? I wonder if there is one with a wider pedal as I'm going with an automatic?

SuperDave

jsrail wrote:

So Dave, is this manual brakes or power (w/o need of a Vacuum booster)? I would be interested in this system as a possible to go with my Fatman's MII system if it's not as bulky as a vacuum booster. I assume yours is set-up for front disc/rear drums? I wonder if there is one with a wider pedal as I'm going with an automatic?

Yes it's power, but uses hydraulic pressure instead of the vacuum canister. I think they were perfected for use on Diesel vehicles which have no available vacuum, and found a home in places that were a tight fit for vacuum assisted MC. I have noticed that GM used several power brake setupos on the small van, so you may have to open a few hoods to find the one you want. This setup uses the stock rear drums and the Pridemore front discs. No need for the residual valves since the MC is mounted high. The pedal would easily be changed with a little welding. Also this system is used on P'cup trucks so no doubt would have a wider pedal. I just got lucky with the pedal arm being factory bent to fit perfectly and not be too wide and interfere with the clutch. The Astro/Safari van has very little foot room! The brakes feel exactly like my Safari van. I found that I have good brakes even with the engine shut off and no hydraulic pressure, so it is very safe. I also put a small red light on the left of the dash hooked up to the equailzer on the MC to warn me if I loose pressure on one side of the brakes. This setup makes it very difficult to change the clutch fluid on a stock engine transmission. Also hard to reach the oil dip stick (I made an expension tube and a longer dip stick). A small inconvenience when compared to the great brakes I have. I think this setup would be a "no brainer" for a car with a modern power plant such as Cheby... It does stand out from the firewall and DOES NOT look stock! Bought individually it would be expensive, but from a wrecking yard, the whole mess could be bought very cheaply and easy to remove from the donar truck. I used some of the GM brake lines and hydraulic lines as well. Just carefully re-bent them.

[Deleted User]

Dave, where does it get the hydraulic pressure from?

SuperDave

jsrail wrote:

Dave, where does it get the hydraulic pressure from?

Every installation I have been exposed to' including a couple motorhomes, is the Power steering pump provides pressure to the booster, then the line goes from the booster to the Power steering box or rack, then back to the reservoir. All in series.I have a remote reservoir on the left side fender apron back by the hood hinge. Actually the same one from the donar van. You will need a remote since the brake booster is higher than the PS pump (in my case where the generator was). I modified a 85 Chevy Pickup Saginaw pump tank to use with the system. I soldered a cover over where the filler cap was. Only because the pump was missing on the van I got the system from.



The pump that would have been on the van would have had provision for the remote filler tank. It also would have had a different drive belt. So I used a pump I already had. All the lines connected with no problem since GM was fairly universal with the hydraulic fittings across their spectrum of vehicles.

Take a walk through a salvage yard and scope out whats available..If nothing else, you'll have some fun.:)