Has anyone attempted putting a 1940 coupe body onto a 1979 Delta 88 Frame and running gear? I have an excellent running 1979 with a 350 and a good 1940 body. The wheelbase of both autos is 116 inches. The 1940 floors are out so making new floors is a must anyway. The 1940 frame was straight where the 1979 has a curve between the front and back wheels. New floors could be fabbed and even I could straighten out the frame of the 1979.
What was the thread wideth of each car - I can't seem to find that info.

 

Can't help you on the dimensions, Bio-three, but that sure sounds like a neat project!!! Love the body styles of the '40's Oldsmobiles,and that would sure modernize the ride/performance. Good luck!

 

I found one reference that shows backing plate to backing plate on the 1969 as 58" to 59".
And the 1940 as 58" to 61"
So it is close enough. May have to experiment with different offset wheels.
Since the Pate Swap Meet is this week, I kinda wanted to have a list of needs.
The 1969 frame and running gear gives me disc brakes and a great ride. I have a 200-4R overdride transmission so I will trade out the 350 3 speed and de-smog the motor and dress it up a bit.
Should make a nice driver.

 

Sounds like a neat idea and I hope you can make it work. As a suggestion, I would find (they have been on Ebay) the frame dimension sheets that are used for crash repair work on frames. Find one for both cars and study the dimesions closely to see how similar/different the two frames are. Good luck and post pictures if you go forward with it.

 

Um, if you have both cars, perhaps you can use a tape measure? Don't be surprised to find the 79 is much wider than the 40.

Obviously wheelbase and track width are only part of the problem. People who have done similar swaps in the past usually find it easier to cut the entire floor out of the donor car and weld it into the original car so it matches the frame.

 

The 40 is sitting on a stretched S10 frame (a not so nice started project) so I really can't measure the original wideth. The floors in the 40 are completely gone as is the whole body of the 79. I made floors for my previous project so I guess I will fab some for this swap also.