'48 Chevy Coupe, Need help
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'48 Chevy Coupe, Need help
Posted: February 07 2005 10:05 AM
 
Chris Weatherford (aka greenman004) [ View ] [ ssmonte72@hotmail.com ] [ Car Ads ] [ Blogs ]
Centerton, Arkansas
 

I have a '48 Chevy coupe that my grandfather gave me. It's had an older resto done, but it's still got all the original running gear. ( front and rear suspension, and rearend.) Also has a 235 straight six, and three on the tree, and has been converted to 12 volt. It has been in dry storage now for about 8 years. I got the car about 3 years ago. My grandfather has recently been diagnosed with Alzhiemers and every time I see him he asks me if I've been able to do anything with his "ol Chevy".



I have'nt been able to do anything with it yet, but now I'm trying to find a way to make this car go down the road before my grandfather's condition becomes more serious and he doesnt even remember the car at all.



I know that the entire brake system (all original) needs a lot of attention. I dont have a lot of money, so I'm tying to figure out the best (but easy on the wallet) way to make the brakes safe again. I know a Mustang II kit is out of the question. (too expensive for me). I've checked out some of the "disc brake conversion kits" that are available, but I'm not too sure if they will work with the stock front suspension. (spindle).



So I guess what I need to know is, what's the best thing to do, for the least amount of money to restore the brake system. I only have about $2000 to spend on the car. And I'm not sure if that will be enough. Some of that money will be needed to get the motor running again. (It still turns over and I'm pretty sure it will run). And I'll probably have to pay someone to do the brake work.



Any help, ideas, suggestions, or comments are welcome. Thanks!



 
 
Comments
 
Posted by REBORN55  -  02/04/2005 05:40 PM
If you can get your parts locally you ought to be able to get a dealer discount and same some money there. You ought to be able to trade out some body work for labor on the brake job and other mechanics on the car.
Ken [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] De soto, Illinois
 
Posted by artie  -  02/03/2005 08:37 AM
Just do a brake job so at least you can drive it and let him see it then start saveing for the mods that you want to do to it. The car looks very good.
artie [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] ozark, Missouri
 
Posted by BigAlBre  -  02/03/2005 09:20 AM
Greenman, Chevy's Of The 40's would be a good source for parts and information.... their contact info is above this thread... tell em we sent ya...
Big Al sittin back in paradise. [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] St Pete Beach, Florida Charter Member since June 1999
 
Posted by BigAlBre  -  02/03/2005 10:50 AM
Greenman... some good advise here on checking out the car and getting the brakes up to par.... after that you can look for a donner car (nova, camaro etc) and use the entire drivetrain and maybe even the front clip... if you do most of the work (leave the welding to experts) that $2000 will go a long way.... keep us informed of your progress... you can get a lot of help here..... Al PS.. Chevy's Of The 40's should have the brake parts you need....
Big Al sittin back in paradise. [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] St Pete Beach, Florida Charter Member since June 1999
 
Posted by johns56  -  02/03/2005 09:58 AM
i'm with arti. give it a brake job or have a shop do it, forget about a m2 for awhile, get the motor running and with that six it's not that hard to do, test drive it in a place where you can't hurt yourself or the car and take grandpa for a ride. not a lot of money spent and then you can take your time and do the rest of the car as you want it.
johns56 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] phoenix, Arizona
 
Posted by orphans2  -  02/03/2005 11:58 AM

IF your grandfather just wants to see that you have the car running and running well and he doesn't need a conversion to rocket ship, than do the brakes, go over the engine, and carb make sure every thing is as it should be. If the engine isn't shot, then it will be more than enough to speed you and your grandfather around town. If you want to change out the column shift to a floor shift, you could check the bone yards for a fresher column of the correct size, than see about getting a floor mounted shifter that will work with your trannny. Or you can leave the column shift as is and make it a later project for change.



As for the brakes, make sure the system juices flow. Check the drums and wheel cylinders and the shoes, replace what ever is necessary. Brake work doesn't have to be expensive if you can do most of the work yourself. I have a bigger, heavier car with 4 wheel drums, and it stops fine, a little fade maybe, but it stops. You also may want to think about going to a dual master cylinder for safety sake, if the car still has a single master cylinder.



Like BigAl said, if you can do most of the work yourself the money you have will go a long way. If you have questions about the work or your work, come back here and ask. The door is always open and the lights are on.
orphans2 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Stewartstown, Pennsylvannia Charter Member since November 2001
 
Posted by donl  -  02/04/2005 11:59 AM
Greenman, You got some good advice from everybody. Chevs of the 40's is a good source.It's kind of in our neighborhood, my son in law has been buying from themfor the last year. He is working on a 37 Chevy and he did a complete suspension rebuild: Brakes, drums, cylinders, we bent the lines and installed new king pins in his straight axle, it was his first time going that deep into a project, but he did fine. Maiden voyage was up to Sandpoint for "Lost in the 50's" and everything functioned just fine. Take your time, and ask questions. Good luck!
donl [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] athol, Idaho
 
Posted by artie  -  02/04/2005 07:28 AM
Hell get one of your buddies at the shop. Trade the work out. Put big rubber bumpers all the way around and drive over to me. You can do some fiberglass work on the motor home and I will do your brakes.
artie [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] ozark, Missouri
 
Posted by greenman004  -  02/03/2005 11:04 PM

You guys are great.... I didnt expect to hear from so many people.



I know that I will need to get drums, shoes, wheel cylinders, and brake lines for all 4 corners.(and probably a new master cylider too) About how much should this stuff, plus labor, cost?? (I'm a bodyman at a Dodge dealership and my mechanical skills arent too good. I could weld anything you asked me to, but when it comes to brakes on a '48 Chevy, I probably shouldnt touch them.



Thanks a-million for the info so far.
greenman004 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Centerton, Arkansas
 
Posted by orphans2  -  02/04/2005 02:07 PM

I recently purchased 4 new wheel cylinders for my 57 for $120 from Kanter. 4 sets of shoes was about $80. Didn't need drums, but they would have been about $50 each. NAPA might be a source for most parts you may need.. You may not need new drums, maybe just refinishing. If you work for a dealership, maybe one of the mechanics can help you out if you don't wnat to do it yourself. Otherwise figure about $50/hour for installation. Time required depends on how difficult the job is. It took me a long time, about 6 hours, to put in new wheel cylinders and get the brakes adjusted and bled, but mine were overdue.
orphans2 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Stewartstown, Pennsylvannia Charter Member since November 2001
 
Posted by greenman004  -  02/07/2005 12:23 AM
lucky, the cars running gear is all stock with the exception of the engine. According to my grandfather it's a 235 from a '56 or '57 Chevy.
greenman004 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Centerton, Arkansas
 
Posted by brian41chevy  -  02/06/2005 10:33 AM
Chris I've seen some conversions like this and would steer clear. That Monte Carlo frame is wider than the 48. The frame rails are totaly different and it would be alot easier to either do a sub frame or a mustang II.
There is a fine line between hobby and mental illness [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] New Lenox, Illinois Charter Member since November 2004
 
Posted by K1Panelnut  -  02/03/2005 10:44 AM
Do you have anybody that you know and trust that could check out the mechanicals on the car for you? Ask friends who they they take their cars to for work,whatever you do get a estimate in writing before work is performed and never tell the person doing the work how much money you have to spend unless the list of things to be done runs over your budget and you can negotiate a better price.One last thing,you sure are a lucky grandkid and never forget to tell Gramps thanks every time you see him....
K1Panelnut [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Winston-Salem, North Carolina
 
Posted by greenman004  -  02/06/2005 01:17 AM

Again, thanks for all the help. This site is great. I'll be sure to post updates on my progress, and be sure to come here if I've got any more questions. Hopefully my grandfather will get to ride in his "ol Chevy" again. It's all I can think about lately..... getting his car running and seeing the smile on his face.



Thanks again everyone. Chris
greenman004 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Centerton, Arkansas
 
Posted by greenman004  -  02/06/2005 01:36 AM

Oh yea, I also own a '72 Monte Carlo and I'm pretty sure that a '48 Chevy and this Monte have the same wheel base. (116") And I've come across a '48 on a Monte chassis before.



How difficult of a project would this be... to set the '48 body on the Monte chassis?? The Monte has a pretty rough body (way worse than the picture shows) but it's got a good built up 350, a good 350 tranny, and a decent rear-end. And most importantly, it's got a good suspension with poly urethane bushings, and disc brakes up front.



What's involved with this kind of project. Is it just finding a good way to bolt the body down...?? Anybody got experience with this kind of thing ???
greenman004 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Centerton, Arkansas
 
Posted by greenman004  -  02/06/2005 02:08 AM

Could the Monte chassis, '48 body idea be done with my $2000(+,-) budget?? Or would this end up being more expensive?
greenman004 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Centerton, Arkansas
 
Posted by storm  -  02/04/2005 07:26 AM
You should go to the Chevys of the 40's web site that Al mentioned. I just took a look and they have everything you need. Probably 500 to 700 for parts. You say you work in a dealership. Do you have any buddies that are mechanics who could help you out? As someone mentioned before, if you are changing everything you should probably upgrade to the dual master cylinder for the added safety. For a little more money this vendor also has disc brake conversion kits for your car. If the drums aren't too far gone you can have them cut which would save you quite a bit of cash. Good luck!
storm [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Lafayette, New Jersey
 
Posted by lucky  -  02/06/2005 08:18 AM

Greenman, Good advice from these folks.Another place for good used parts and Technical know how is Chevytalk.com.log on there, They can help with any part you need as well as instructions on how to.2000. should get that car going with plenty left over.If Your car is original drivetrain,it has a216 not a 235 engine.hope this helps.
lucky [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] no, Georgia
 
Posted by Crazyhorse Rod Shop  -  02/06/2005 11:01 AM
careful leon , everytime i use the c word i get my butt chewed.
dont poke the porchdog........he bites [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] BLUFF DALE, Texas Charter Member since March 2003
 
Posted by Rods & Customs by Leon  -  02/06/2005 01:55 AM
One cost effective option you have is a camero frt clip. Find a good donor with a motor and trans, your on you way to a nice street rod
Rods & Customs by Leon [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Highlands, Texas Charter Member since May 2004
 
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