GM Swap Completed, can I go back?
 

Good afternoon everyone!

I'm new to the forum but not new to the grease monkey realm. With that being said, here's my question:

The wife and I found a rolling (near complete) 1949 Ford F1 for extremely cheap($500). I have the 'know-how' to repair any cancer on the cab, doors, hood, fenders, etc. The driveline, suspension, wiring, etc don't scare me as I've had enough experience on other Ford classics

The one thing I am afraid of is that one of the previous owners already completed the GM swap on the front end (looks to be a 75'ish Camaro subframe) which theoretically drops the front 4-5".

Front Suspension Alternatives for 1948 - 1960 Ford Trucks, Part Five .: Articles

Neither one of us are fond of the lowered front end, we'd both prefer something closer to stock ride height.

What kind of experience do y'all have with the GM front end in regards to raising back up that 4-5"?

I'd hate to pass on this deal, let me know what ya think!

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7136/...e3e3ba7d24.jpg

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7022/...504d141194.jpg

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3767/...4b72f99c16.jpg

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7437/...23d5b12da7.jpg

If the truck is a good deal I would grab it and look for another frame if you want to go back to stock. If you want to keep the clip you could cut it off and remount it lower which will raise the frame.
Have you put fenders on it so see where it sits now? Dont assume how much it is lowered without hanging fenders on it.

Thank you for the quick reply!

I have an appt again tomorrow to meet the man selling it , ill throw the fenders on and decide from there... hoping it doesnt look too much like a sled!

I'd guess that's going to ride really low, based on how the clip joins the stock frame. There are a lot of ways to fix it tho.

Yeah, best easy would be to do a complete frame swap.

The fenders probably won't fit over that clip very well, at least the inners won't. Also, don't forget that the weight of the engine, etc will bring it down another 3-4 inches. That clip also will make it tougher to mount any engine besides a chevy

To give you a relative idea - mines on a 71 firebird clip with the HD oem springs. 454 in play and sits as follows:

http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/h...psaac86cd7.jpg

Here's one on the roll:

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/unique_imagery/9329825217" title="esky (2 of 2)-2 by Emay - UI, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3687/9329825217_17be4d5e90_b.jpg" width="1024" height="683" alt="esky (2 of 2)-2"></a>

Can you share a picture of the joint between the clip and the stock frame? My recollection is that to get a stance about like yours, the Camaro subframe ends up completely below the stock frame.

I won't be able to get to that side of the garage until my kitchen reno is complete, but yes, I can get one at some point, maybe when I do my spring fluid swaps.

Emay sent you an Private message....

My 53 has a 78 Camaro front clip that looks just like yours and it sits about the same way as Emay's. I haven't put the front fenders on yet but it has a 351W installed. I'll try to post a pic later.

Hey emay what size tires and rims are you running on the rear?

18x9.5 rear 18x8 front.

Rear tires are 285/40/18
Front tires are 235/35/18

Are you thinking of the lower subframe rails? The subframe is somewhat "z" shaped and sometimes swappers weld the lower rails under the frame rails of the vehicle rather than cut them off and "clip" them. The actual frame rails on the subframe stay about the same plane as the frame rails on the vehicle.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...ps7293315a.jpg

Probably, Dave. Most I've seen put the rail under the frame rail and plate it on both sides. With that, you still get a pretty low front end. Pretty sure that's how Homade's truck is, and one other that was at Truckstock.

Well when they cut off the frame, the frame serial numbers was cut off. I would say depending on your state laws you may have a hard to register it as a '49. My state would require a bonded title or a newly constructed truck. $500 is a good price if the bodies is good. I would look for a complete frame with a title.