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Part 3: Suspension intention: modern steering, ride dampening for our '40
Find out how you can get involved with the next 'Wheel of Dreams' project. Email Michael Clark today!
michaelclark@mts.net.
michaelclark@mts.net.
This is the story of the '40 Chev raffled off in '08. Reprinted with the kind permission of Michael Clark.
Edmonton; where hot rod suspensions are born.
Oh sure, they have some sports teams out there that you may have heard of, but for those in the auto-know, Edmonton is the home to Macgyvers Street Rod Products. (www.macgyvers.com) One of the first items on the donation list for the Wheels of Dreams 1940 Chevrolet Master 85 was a Mustang II-style front suspension. "It brings the driving precision to a whole new level," said Jamie Johnston, the Sorcerer of the Spray Gun at the Hillbilly Garage. "It's the same basic design that's used on new cars today." There's plenty to choose from for street rod projects; just to point and click your way over to the likes of eBay and other discount clearing houses. Some of those systems may seem like a bargain, until you start analyzing the parts up close. "The Macgyvers system is one of the best out there," said Don Park, Head Mechanic at the Hillbilly Garage. "Everything fits like it's supposed to."
Making it fit starts with a custom crossmember, which requires a variety of measurements before the unit is built by MacGyvers. "You would think most 1940 Chevy frames are the same," said Park. "It's surprising how different they can be." With the frame freshly sandblasted by the good folks at Winnipeg Sandblasting, Park takes a variety of measurements to ensure that the crossmember is perfectly square and level. Angles are checked and double-checked before the unit is welded securely to the frame. "This is the foundation for the front suspension," said Park. "Those welds have to stick." Park was busy welding the upper spring pockets on the top of the frame during this week's interview. He also did some trimming on the original front crossmember, to allow a proper fit for the new suspension items. The good news it that the original mounting point for the radiator cradle has been retained. It's a major attachment point for the front clip of the Chevy, and never something that you want to move.
The Macgyvers gang came through in fine style with their donation. The standard stamped steel control arms were upgraded to tubular steel, and the regular shocks and springs have made way for deluxe QA1 Motorsports adjustable coilovers, with 12-way damping adjustment. The system uses a Ford The Macgyvers gang came through in fine style with their donation. The standard stamped steel control arms were upgraded to tubular steel, and the regular shocks and springs have made way for deluxe QA1 Motorsports adjustable coilovers, with 12-way damping adjustment. The system uses a Ford original equipment-spec power rack and pinion, while brakes are single piston GM calipers with Ford Granada discs, which fit easily onto the Ford-spec spindles.
Oh sure, they have some sports teams out there that you may have heard of, but for those in the auto-know, Edmonton is the home to Macgyvers Street Rod Products. (www.macgyvers.com) One of the first items on the donation list for the Wheels of Dreams 1940 Chevrolet Master 85 was a Mustang II-style front suspension. "It brings the driving precision to a whole new level," said Jamie Johnston, the Sorcerer of the Spray Gun at the Hillbilly Garage. "It's the same basic design that's used on new cars today." There's plenty to choose from for street rod projects; just to point and click your way over to the likes of eBay and other discount clearing houses. Some of those systems may seem like a bargain, until you start analyzing the parts up close. "The Macgyvers system is one of the best out there," said Don Park, Head Mechanic at the Hillbilly Garage. "Everything fits like it's supposed to."
Making it fit starts with a custom crossmember, which requires a variety of measurements before the unit is built by MacGyvers. "You would think most 1940 Chevy frames are the same," said Park. "It's surprising how different they can be." With the frame freshly sandblasted by the good folks at Winnipeg Sandblasting, Park takes a variety of measurements to ensure that the crossmember is perfectly square and level. Angles are checked and double-checked before the unit is welded securely to the frame. "This is the foundation for the front suspension," said Park. "Those welds have to stick." Park was busy welding the upper spring pockets on the top of the frame during this week's interview. He also did some trimming on the original front crossmember, to allow a proper fit for the new suspension items. The good news it that the original mounting point for the radiator cradle has been retained. It's a major attachment point for the front clip of the Chevy, and never something that you want to move.
The Macgyvers gang came through in fine style with their donation. The standard stamped steel control arms were upgraded to tubular steel, and the regular shocks and springs have made way for deluxe QA1 Motorsports adjustable coilovers, with 12-way damping adjustment. The system uses a Ford The Macgyvers gang came through in fine style with their donation. The standard stamped steel control arms were upgraded to tubular steel, and the regular shocks and springs have made way for deluxe QA1 Motorsports adjustable coilovers, with 12-way damping adjustment. The system uses a Ford original equipment-spec power rack and pinion, while brakes are single piston GM calipers with Ford Granada discs, which fit easily onto the Ford-spec spindles.
Even though the discs are Ford derived, they use a GM bolt pattern. (We don't have room for two different spare tires.) The donor 10-bolt rear axle is now in capable hand of Precision Transmission, who has already supplied a rebuilt, and virtually bulletproof Turbo Hydramatic 350 transmission. The rear axle will be torn down to replace any worn bearings, gears, and critical seals.
Once the rear axle is ready to turn, it will receive modified mounting brackets for attachment to the original leaf spring system. "Leaf springs are tried and true," said Park. "They're the best bang for your buck." Luckily, none of the original leaves have been broken, and will only require a light sandblast and refinish. New bushing will iron out any squeaks. Another carryover is the parking brake mechanism, as well as the original mounting points for the emergency brake cables. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it," said Park.
There's already some new players of note. Winnipeg's own FJO Racing Products has confirmed that they're 'in'. At minimum, that means a digital gauge array for the Chevy, but we're very hopeful that their 341B Engine Management System might just make an appearance. Mary Blonski, who has experienced stunning growth with the upstart Manitoba Camaro Club, has pledged to assistance of her members in any way possible. One of them, Grip Singh, is digging through his garage as we speak for any small block Chevy parts that we can use. (He's built about a half dozen of them, so the chances are good he'll be find something.) All parts and/or services for the Wheels of Dreams 1940 Chevy have been, and will continue to be accepted only as outright donations. When complete, the car will be raffled off, with all proceeds going to benefit The Rainbow Society.
Once the rear axle is ready to turn, it will receive modified mounting brackets for attachment to the original leaf spring system. "Leaf springs are tried and true," said Park. "They're the best bang for your buck." Luckily, none of the original leaves have been broken, and will only require a light sandblast and refinish. New bushing will iron out any squeaks. Another carryover is the parking brake mechanism, as well as the original mounting points for the emergency brake cables. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it," said Park.
There's already some new players of note. Winnipeg's own FJO Racing Products has confirmed that they're 'in'. At minimum, that means a digital gauge array for the Chevy, but we're very hopeful that their 341B Engine Management System might just make an appearance. Mary Blonski, who has experienced stunning growth with the upstart Manitoba Camaro Club, has pledged to assistance of her members in any way possible. One of them, Grip Singh, is digging through his garage as we speak for any small block Chevy parts that we can use. (He's built about a half dozen of them, so the chances are good he'll be find something.) All parts and/or services for the Wheels of Dreams 1940 Chevy have been, and will continue to be accepted only as outright donations. When complete, the car will be raffled off, with all proceeds going to benefit The Rainbow Society.
The steering rack is an OEM Ford piece.
Part 2 of the story can be found here.
