1949 Cadillac Series 61 Build

[nickcornilsen]

C5 suspension components look to me, to be robust enough.

The thing to watch with C5 spindles is the location of the steering arm. There ARE kits to fix this, but the stock location of the outer tie-rod end sphere requires a very high placement of the steering rack to make the bump-steer work. This either puts your engine up higher, or requires you to move it backward.

I used Solidworks to design the suspension and frame for my Nova project. It helped a ton!

[dhutton]

Check out these C5/6 adapters from Dobbertin Performance. I used these to put full C5 suspension, steering, brakes and drivetrain under my 56 Chevy Cameo. A lot of the hard work is done for you. Website also has some good info.

https://www.dobbertinperformance.com/

Don

[QUA-HOON!]

Originally Posted by dhutton

Check out these C5/6 adapters from Dobbertin Performance. I used these to put full C5 suspension, steering, brakes and drivetrain under my 56 Chevy Cameo. A lot of the hard work is done for you. Website also has some good info.

https://www.dobbertinperformance.com/

Don

Thanks for these! I've been looking at these too. I have to wait until it stops raining out.. but I think a lot of people are going to be in the same camp as me after seeing how small and thin the 1949 frame is. My 57 Cadillac looks like a tank compared to this thing.

- Alex

[QUA-HOON!]

Originally Posted by nickcornilsen

C5 suspension components look to me, to be robust enough.

The thing to watch with C5 spindles is the location of the steering arm. There ARE kits to fix this, but the stock location of the outer tie-rod end sphere requires a very high placement of the steering rack to make the bump-steer work. This either puts your engine up higher, or requires you to move it backward.

I used Solidworks to design the suspension and frame for my Nova project. It helped a ton!

Thanks for the reply and the info on the C5 spindles. I was thinking the same thing about the R&P placement.

Are you super familiar with Solidworks? I only ask because a lot of people point to Fusion 360 as a good tool for a hobbyist. So long as I can use Solidworks as a new guy I'd probably use that as my friend has it too.

- Alex

[nickcornilsen]

Originally Posted by QUA-HOON!

Thanks for the reply and the info on the C5 spindles. I was thinking the same thing about the R&P placement.

Are you super familiar with Solidworks? I only ask because a lot of people point to Fusion 360 as a good tool for a hobbyist. So long as I can use Solidworks as a new guy I'd probably use that as my friend has it too.

- Alex

I've been using solidworks for at least 20 years now... but I taught it to myself using you tube and how-to guides. I find it pretty straight forward.

[QUA-HOON!]

Originally Posted by nickcornilsen

I've been using solidworks for at least 20 years now... but I taught it to myself using you tube and how-to guides. I find it pretty straight forward.

I'll give it a shot then! I'll try to figure out how to build a frame in it this weekend to start this building process.

[QUA-HOON!]

Just a small update. I stripped out the interior and power washed the car. I think 5 lbs of dirt / mud came out of it.. I wish I thought of doing the frame as well because it has a ton of dirt on it .. but oh well.. it'll get dusty. I then pushed this tank into the garage and took the front end off to gain clear access to remove the engine. Hoping to remove the engine and transmission today and do the assessment on the engine. Check out this suspension. The upper control arm is also the shock. One thing that's good that I've noticed so far is that the engine is further back than I thought, and the front suspension is in front of the engine. I can also move it 2 more inches back before the firewall needs modification.

- Alex

[QUA-HOON!]

Yanked the engine out last weekend. Wow.. the tail shaft on the automatic is long compared to modern stuff. Engine doesnt rotate and I tried every shift position on the transmission. Like it or not I have to break down the engine to at least make this two chunks instead of one. Maybe we'll see why it got parked. Put some atf on the pistons today after I pulled the heads. It's so gross with all the sludge. Guessing this is a by product of the poor filtration system on this motor. I think the crank will be the decision point for this engine.

- Alex