1957 Corvette #10

[Lynn H.]

Re: 1957 Corvette #10

I just thought I would mention, that it is threads like this that made me decide to make this my home page.
THANKS guys, where else could you possibly get this kind of information???
Lynn Houk

[Karl L.]

Re: 1957 Corvette #10

"CHEER'S TOM!!!"

GREAT INFO FOR ALL!

Karl.

[Brett H.]

Re: 1957 Corvette #10

Since restoring many 53 cars, I agree with Tom Parsons. I have seen several replaced crossmembers that, at one time, had the passenger car steering adapter linkage attached in the saddle. Also the two holes with the square tabs welded around the holes. I normally weld the holes shut and remove the tabs, since 53's will show the holes, unless you do. Nearly half of the cars that I restore seem to have been bumped in the nose at one time or another, causing a replacement crossmember.

[Tom P.]

Re: 1957 Corvette #10

Since restoring many 53 cars, I agree with Tom Parsons. I have seen several replaced crossmembers that, at one time, had the passenger car steering adapter linkage attached in the saddle. Also the two holes with the square tabs welded around the holes. I normally weld the holes shut and remove the tabs, since 53's will show the holes, unless you do. Nearly half of the cars that I restore seem to have been bumped in the nose at one time or another, causing a replacement crossmember.

WHOOPS, WHOOPS, WHOOPS, Sorry, I totally forgot about the 6cyl (53-4) Vettes not having the fan shroud and the holes from pass car cross members would in fact show. But of course, as already mentioned, that is toooooooooooooooo easy to fix simply by welding shut the holes, removing the square reinforcements (from 49-51 cross members) and then grinding down and smoothing the welds.
Also, I presume everyone remembers the instructions/photos that I posted a few months ago for a complete rebuild of the 53-62 cross member/suspension.

[Tom P.]

Re: 1957 Corvette #10

Oh yes, and did anyone notice that it has a 60-62 front sway bar???

[Tom P.]

Re: 1957 Corvette #10

This cross member is out of a 57 Vette which I just finished rebuilding. You can very clearly see the 2 flats where the engine mounts were located for the 49-51 pass cars. Even though the mounts were not used in 52-later cars, there was no reason to change the dies which stamped out this piece. Thus, those flats remained up through the 62 Vettes.


In this picture, you can see one of the 2 large holes in the bottom of the cross member. Again, these holes were ORIGINALLY used ONLY for the 49-51 pass cars. The purpose of the holes was to insert a socket on a long extension for the bolt on the underside of the 49-51 pass car front engine mounts to attach them to the top of the cross member. And again, the holes were not needed for 52-later cars, but there was no need to changes the dies. Plus, the holes make excellent drain holes.

[Stuart F.]

Re: 1957 Corvette #10

Well written Tom. Brings back a lot of memories of my V8 installation in my first car; a 50 Chevy coupe about which we have exchanged posts in the past. I must say, your front mounts look a lot better than did mine, but then I was dealing with the enclosed drive train and truck gear box which determined where the engine landed in the chassis. Took us a few tries to get it right with our unsophisticated back yard mechanic approach. I still recall your clutch linkage and how, if I could go back in time, I'd borrow your version. You must have done your work in the front yard.

I too read the article on #10 with great interest. I just passed on some old 1956 magazines that had references to the first Fuelie Vette to our mutual friend on the left coast, including the Tom Mc----'s (??) road test.

Stu Fox

[Tom P.]

Re: 1957 Corvette #10

Stu,
As I'm sure you know, V8 conversions were quite common in those old Chevys (as well as many other cars). I have to admit though, the mounts and clutch linkage were NOT my design. I took ideas from other older and wiser guys who had done conversions before me. One guy in particular had a 52 Chevy hardtop with a V8 conversion and he showed me how to use the existing factory pedals and clutch linkage with links of chain for an extension. I did mine in 67 and I still drive it nearly everyday.
The V8 conversions in various cars were popular enough back then that Hurst made engine mounts and frame adapters for the more common swaps. Hurst mounts are what I used for the V8 swap in the 51.

[Tom P.]

Re: 1957 Corvette #10

Since restoring many 53 cars, I agree with Tom Parsons. I have seen several replaced crossmembers that, at one time, had the passenger car steering adapter linkage attached in the saddle. Also the two holes with the square tabs welded around the holes. I normally weld the holes shut and remove the tabs, since 53's will show the holes, unless you do. Nearly half of the cars that I restore seem to have been bumped in the nose at one time or another, causing a replacement crossmember.

Brett,
I went the other way with my 51 Chevy.
MANY years ago (when early Vette parts were dirt cheap in salvage yards) I rounded up the center steering arm/bracket, tie rods and L&R steering arms from an early Vette and installed them on the 51. That eliminated a LOT of steering slop in the 51, mainly because of the superior ball bearing joint in the Vette center steering arm (pass cars used a kingpin/bushing type setup which wore out quickly).

[Stuart F.]

Re: 1957 Corvette #10

Tom;

Thanks for that info. I did do my swap back in 1956 so I guess I was pioneering in uncharted waters. That also explains why I still have so many magazines yet from that era as I was trying to learn all I could about the then new Chevy V8. There just wasn't much of any swap stuff in Hot Rod Mags around then. Well, we didn't get it perfect, but it did work and it ran well - specially when I put in the 58 Fuelie engine. But that extra power and torque brought to light the weaknesses in my torque tube drive train. Those truck boxes kept dropping out the countershafts, but the junk yards were full of them, and I could change them from inside the car. The white spring B & B clutches caused a lot of throw out arm changes too what with the linkage I was using. Ah, the good old days.

Stu Fox

[Stuart F.]

Re: 1957 Corvette #10

Brett;

Just as a side note here with regards to front end damaged Vettes; Don't you suppose that a lot of C-1 and C-2's with front end damage is related to the drum brakes? My 63 is a case in point in that it had the Sintered Metallic brakes (worse case scenario). When those suckers are cold it's almost impossible to stop. I have replaced my front bumper brackets twice now from running into and under things including a wall of railroad ties and a small truck.

Stu Fox