I'm investigating changing the front suspension/brake/v8. S10? G body? After market? Looked at lower & upper A arm swaps No! Suggestions? So far in my hunting the numbers are 1/2 to 2/3s less expensive than trying to go stock.

 

I moved your thread to the Vintage forum as these guys have covered most of the upgrades in your question and can point your in the right direction.

 

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My '47 convertible has a MII type front suspension by Ground Hog. It was on it when I bought it but hadn't been fully installed. I kept it and bought longer A arms and did away with the strut common to MII lower A arms plus put on a good set of forged steel spindles that gave me a two inch drop. New coil springs from Eaton Detroit Spring and rebuilt rack and pinion steering. Its not a driver yet--still in project stage, but what little driving around I've done on driveway and parking lots has been OK. I can see quite a bit of frame modification was done to accommodate that setup by the previous owner who is a professional hot rod builder in Southern Oregon. I intend to run it with that setup once paint and upholstery are done. Since it has a stout crossmember and good aftermarket tubular A arms I believe the MII suspension will be enough for the weight of the Olds. When I raise the front end of mine with a floor jack on the crossmember I can feel some frame flex with this setup. However even the stock Olds convertible will have some frame flex.

But, if I were doing it from scratch my first choice would be a Fatman front frame stub that they make for our Oldsmobiles and engineer so sheet metal can go back on without major hassle. I'd likely use whatever suspension they recommend for that stub kit. If you know what engine you will use they can put the engine mounts on that stub for you. I personally like the idea of a frame stub made for your particular frame by a company like Fatman who has been in business a good long while.

Another option would be an existing cars front clip. A Camaro front clip with suspension seems to be a frequent donor. I believe someone on here has done that with their 40s Oldsmobile. I think the frame width is similar so mating the Olds frame to Camaro clip might not be too difficult. Hopefully you will get some feedback from soneone who has been there and done that.

If you have a thing for something more exotic I think 47 Coupe (?) on this forum has adapted a complete Corvette C4 front suspension to his car. There was a posting and some pictures a few weeks ago on that. Using the entire front suspension including corvette cross member is the right way to go if you're going Corvette. C4 front suspensions have come down in price from what they used to bring, but parts for the suspension are not cheap. A newer C5 front suspension apparently presents more problems and he didn't recommend them. I had a C4 front suspension on a 36 Chevy hot rod I had a few years back and it was a great setup. The only downside I can think of is that it kind of locks you into using coil-over spring and shock arrangement plus C4s were a sport suspension and not at all cushy.

There are other options out there like Jaguar IFS But I've never done a project involving one so can't comment on how it would adapt to our Oldsmobiles.+
Jerry

 

Thanks 47 Convertible I'm looking into lots of options, but I need a dimensioned frame drawing, any ideas, I posted a new thread in hopes someone has a source, otherwise I draw it myself and share the info.

 

Hi, I'm the guy Jerry is talking about that did a C4 front suspension swap. It is fairly easy if you have some mechanical skill. You will need to cut the front of the frame and fabricate new front rails to accommodate the new suspension. Like I said, it's not difficult, but you must take MANY measurements before you cut anything! I have some frame drawings I made for the front rails to make sure I got things in the proper places, but not the entire frame. Also, is your convertible a 60 series or a 70 series? The frames are somewhat different. I can copy my drawings for you and send them to you if you want, but it will have to wait a day or so for me to dig them up and get them scanned. I will be happy to help you any way I can if you choose to go this route.

Dennis

 

Dennis, Apologies to you. I think I misidentified you in my post. Now I know: Sporty45.
Jerry

 

Thanks Sporty45, Great pic, like the frame support, would love you to send anything related to your build. It's not a Drag Car, it's a Cruiser, but with enough to go when wanted or needed. Decisions where made last night to move foward, front end upgrade, V8 Crate 383 Jegs (I have one in my 84 Elky), Trans either TH700R4 or 4L60, Rear end ? 41 Olds in it, may go 12 bolt or even newer, Driveshaft easy when it's time. As for my mechanical ability, worked for Olds Dealership as apprentice mechanic, on to a body shop or two, Dragged "67" 442's (Owned 16 of them, parts, drivers) low 10's w/automatic, built and rebuilt Chevy 4x4's (mine & friends), Frame off; 53 - M38A1 ******, 66 Chevelle (belongs to a friend, not finished $$$), 67 Chevelle (My Son's unfinished project). Other projects 86 Blazer K5, 84 El Camino (Almost done), etc... I am trying to find a place for the new master cylinder/booster, battery and hydraulic motor/pump for the top. In the process of taking inventory, lots of doubles of things we're not going to use, i.e.; Generators, Bell Housings, Starter, Engine (Needs rebuild), Transmission (Newly Rebuilt), used front suspension. I have "60" Olds parts as well; Windshield & Rear Window, etc... Dad had a 1960 "88" with well over 1,000,000 miles on it! Maybe TMI, but it good to know who your dealing with. Thanks Dennis

 

No problem Jerry, you knew who ya meant!

Sounds like you have more experience than I do, so this should be a piece of cake for you! My car is going to be just a cruiser as well, at least for now. My engine is a bone stock 77 Olds 350, so not much power there, and the tranny is a mid 80's 200R4. I chose that tranny because it bolts right up to the Olds and it is a good mate for my 350. I will dig out my drawings and send them to you, but you haven't said what series your car is yet. If it is a 70's series the frame will be somewhat different than my 66 coupe's frame. Don't think it will make a lot of difference though in the front end install, but the wheel base is longer at 125" compared to my 119". Actually might make it easier because I think there is more room between the firewall and radiator. I have spoken with a guy in Australia on the H.A.M.B that did a C4 swap in his 46 70's series car and he is using a sbc like you. I will ask him, if you want, if he is willing to share some info with you too.

BTW, I sold a 66 chevelle to buy my Olds! I had done a lot to it too. It was originally a 6 cyl. with a 3 speed on the column and a bench seat interior. By the time I sold it I had put in a set of buckets and console and a 396 with a 4 speed and 12 bolt posi. Wish I still had the car now, the guy I sold it to has done a bunch to it and says he would want waaaay more than I sold it to him for!

 

I have scanned my drawings for you. I don't know how to attach them to a PM, so shoot me a PM with your email address and I will send them off to you.

Dennis

 

Thanks again Dennis, I may be going another route. I have been measuring the frame and mapping it on ACAD. Using lasers and the old fashion tape, square & bevel square. Recently was offered a "Donor" car (1975 El Camino SS). This has all the components I want to incorporate in to the new ride for the "47". However I have been searching for frame and suspension dimensions with no luck. So I sent an email to GM, maybe they come through? Wheel base is only 3 inches short of the "47"'s, little stretching on the frame stretcher and vole la, just slider her under. But alas I don't think it will be just that easy. There will be body mount issues, drive shaft, sheetmetal, battery, brake assembly (Pedals must remain in the stock position, through the floor, could be interesting). The El Camino ha a boxed frame all ready, so it's at least as strong as the existing and capable of supporting the convertible body as well as staying straight. So I'm waiting until I hear for GM, hoping this coming week! Still trying to figure out how to link my Shutterfly account to share may pictures.

 

No problem, glad I was able to help. Have you looked into just grafting the front clip from the El Camino? It may not be too hard if the frame width is somewhat similar. Also a lot easier, IMHO, than trying to do a complete frame swap. In any event, good luck with the build, and keep us posted on your progress!

 

Sporty45 I'm still working on it, laser measuring the entire frame (found 11 stress fractures, not good. Dad's guessing mileage at 650,000), have a donor car 75 El Camino SS still looking for frame dimensions, really don't want to spend 120 hrs doing a full frame measure. Any thoughts welcome.

 

Wow, you are being much more thorough than I was when setting up my frame! If you are asking if I have any thoughts on using the Elky front end to graft in, I can't help as I never considered anything other than the C4 front suspension. There are others here that have used different set ups on their cars, so maybe they will chime in. If you are looking for more frame measurements then let me know how I can help and I will do what I can.