Hi everyone,
I am new here, just put up a short story in the new member page as well. I have bought a 53 pick up that was started by someone that had to sell. Unfortunatly for him but good for me. A dream of a life time so to speak. It has had most of the work done for suspension. He installed a kit from Flatout Eng. and used an 86 vette suspension. He has installed a power brake booster but nothing else. Motor mounts for the 86 vette motor are in as well.
So for a few questions and bear in mind this is all new for me so if it sounds dumb please excuse me. I would like to build the motor to about 400 hp. Should I be boxing in the frame or is it strong enough? The goal here is to drive it, not race it so comfort is important.
I found some parts on line from LMC Truck and got there cataloge. Also found mid fifties. Ordered a catologe from them as well. Anywhere else to look for stuff?
Was looking at polishing the suspension. How do I do that?
Is there somewhere to look for parts diagrams for the vette suspension. Flat out is to send me an instruction book but I think I need some nuts and bolts and don't even know what size/type to get.
Once the suspension is together what should I do next? Brake lines, motor set in place, fuel line, body set up?
Is there anyone that lives in the Ottawa area that could help guide/mentor me a bit with this?
I will stop there, sorry, just very excited. Like a 51 year kid in a candy store.
Marten

 

Good luck with your project, be sure to measure everything very well before you begin. The geometry of the Corvette is not like anything you will find on a Ford. The engine in a C4 Corvette sits BEHIND the rack & pinion...this places the engine way back in the engine compartment (read, recessed firewall). There are ways to work around this but you have to know what you are getting into ahead of time.


Here is a pic of me polishing my Corvette suspension...not a pretty picture especially since no one will ever see all the hard work I did, well maybe the guy at JiffyLube.

 

Hi Charlie,
How did you polish your parts? They look go enough for me and what I would like to do.

 

Welcome to the forum, Marten! You might get more answers to your questions if you post some pictures of what you have.
I don't think the Flat Out Engineering kit is too common, but there are a lot of sharp guys here that can advise you when they see some details.
"just very excited, like a 51 year kid in a candy store." I like you attitude!

 

Welcome Marten! If you add a location to your profile ( select 'User CP'), you'll give others a better view of your whereabouts.

 

Here's what the parts looked like pre-assembly...you really have to be committed to this task, it is very tedious and requires some special equipment. I have a pdf booklet that a guy (professional polisher) on the HAMB wrote about polishing, when I find it I will post it here.

 

Here's the booklet...


The gentleman who wrote this guide I believe is now deceased but prior to his passing he distributed the book freely to those interested. I helped him convert the format to psf to make it easier to post. Anything you may need in the world of metal polishing info should be found here.

 

So here are some pictures of what I have done so far. Not sure what the next steps should be. I have ordered the disc and pads for all corners. Any advise is good. I am so overwhelmed that I don't even know what questions to ask. Should I put motor in place next or put body on first to see if suspension all works with body? I need to put in brake lines as well. Again do I order kit, buy brake line, what clips/fasteners do I need. Ahh so confused.



overall picture of rear end. Flat out engineering kit




close up of rear suspension




Front suspension. Kit from Flat out engineering




master cylinder and brake assembly




top view of front suspension

Thanks to everyone for looking and listening
Marten