Stepdown Questions

Bob 51 Super Six wrote:

Hello Again to All,



I just want to thank everyone again for the warm welcome.



As I said, I will have questions, so here goes.



I know this has been addressed in the past, but I am looking for some advce on replacing the rocker panels on my '51 Super Six. Mine are in not too good a shape and I am missing the two stainless steel trim strips on both sides of the car. The trim strips are on both of my fender skirts. Would I be better off to look at the reproduction rocker panels or try to find some good original panels? Do the repro panels come with the trim mounting clips or would I have to get the clips elsewhere?



Also, does anyone at the forum have any experience with the pre-formed brake lines (either stainless steel or regular steel) from Inline Tube.com? They offer pre-formed lines for '51-'54 Hornets, which I assume will work on any 6 cylinder, long wheelbase Stepdown.



Thanks for any help you can give me on these questions.



Bob

Welcome Bob,



As far as I know, the only repro rockers are available from Green Mountain Auto Parts (or something like that). I'm not sure if one can find originals anywhere. Keep asking around. The trim mounting channels you'd need are carried by K-Gap. You'd have to attach these yourself with screws or rivets, etc. I used stainless steel screws on my '49 Super Six.



I bought new stainless steel brake lines from Inline Tube also. It turns out that the only pattern they have (which is required to make repros) is just the two lines that go across the rear axle. These will fit your car. They don't really have any more Hudson preforms to offer, so along with these two lines, I bought the straight set, and formed them myself. Since these stainless lines are so incredibly hard, I was unable to get a satifactory flare installed without buying some expensive tools, so instead, I cut the various lines to length after careful measurement, added the fittings, and sent the straight lines back to Inline and had them add the flares. Other than some extra postage, this worked out well for me.



Here's a link to K-Gap; http://www.k-gapstore.com/servlet/StoreFront?

Bob 51 Super Six wrote:

Hi Hudsonguy,



Thanks for your input. I have been to K-Gap's site. Really looks useful. Thanks for the Inline Tube info. How was there turn around time?



Bob

It was pretty quick. I can't remember exactly, but I think they only had them for a day or so, before they were sending them back to me. I imagine it only took them a few minutes to actually add the flares. Including shipping time, I think it was about a week or two.



As far as the initial order, that as well was about a couple of weeks wait.

Bob,



Bill Albright can furnish retainers for the larger rocker panel molding if needed on yours. I bought a number form him about a month ago- used, but cleaned up nicely with only phosphoric acid and a wire brush. Kgap sells SS smaller ones in 12" strips. Hudson used 5 1/2' pieces, so can cut to get two. $5.00 ea 12' pc.



NOS rocker panels come on eBay, in the WTN and on this forum from time to time. Usually at $200.00 +. Forum chatter has noted that the repro panels don't have the exact configuration of the originals. Hudson panels were slightly bowed, repro apparently are straight. Can search the forum archives with forum search engine.



Welcome aboard!



Walt-LA