zmandet
08-10-2008, 03:16 PM
Greeting's everyone!
This is my first time posting to this board, so I may as well break the Ice and put out some of the information that I discovered in installing R & P in my car.
I have a 55 2dr sedan, steel mini tubs, springs moved inboard, B/B turbo 400. I elected to use the original "Classic Chevy Crossmember" square tube, bolts to both sides of the frame in place of the steeering box / idler arm, (this uses the Chevy Citation manual or power rack) after many trial and error fittings with several sets of headers I was able to locate a set of big block headers that were very nice looking and fit along side of the frame, (transmission horns must be removed) these headers are made by Patriot, and fit very nice, keeping the exhaust along side of the frame rails. I located a manual Citiation rack at a jobber in Ann Arbor, Mich. $ 190.00 rebuilt, a power rack is easier to find and cheaper too. (Celebrity, Pontiac Phoenix etc.) I used an original 55-57 column that I modified, (Iditdit makes a very nice column for this conversion) I have three borgeson joints in the steering shaft along with a heim joint for support, this fits very well with the headers and helps to clean up the engine compartment. The Classic crossmember also fits the big block very well without any cutting etc. this entire setup is very nice, it is all american parts and they are not some cheap import crap like some of the companies are currently selling! Classic gives you step by step instructions on all modifications to make to your rack,(shortening the tie rod ends, and re-threading them) or you can buy one from them already done. I hope this helps out some of the folks that are considering this swap, I now I spent a lot of time trying to get this right and i was assisted a great deal by information that I found on this site as well as many others too!
This is my first time posting to this board, so I may as well break the Ice and put out some of the information that I discovered in installing R & P in my car.
I have a 55 2dr sedan, steel mini tubs, springs moved inboard, B/B turbo 400. I elected to use the original "Classic Chevy Crossmember" square tube, bolts to both sides of the frame in place of the steeering box / idler arm, (this uses the Chevy Citation manual or power rack) after many trial and error fittings with several sets of headers I was able to locate a set of big block headers that were very nice looking and fit along side of the frame, (transmission horns must be removed) these headers are made by Patriot, and fit very nice, keeping the exhaust along side of the frame rails. I located a manual Citiation rack at a jobber in Ann Arbor, Mich. $ 190.00 rebuilt, a power rack is easier to find and cheaper too. (Celebrity, Pontiac Phoenix etc.) I used an original 55-57 column that I modified, (Iditdit makes a very nice column for this conversion) I have three borgeson joints in the steering shaft along with a heim joint for support, this fits very well with the headers and helps to clean up the engine compartment. The Classic crossmember also fits the big block very well without any cutting etc. this entire setup is very nice, it is all american parts and they are not some cheap import crap like some of the companies are currently selling! Classic gives you step by step instructions on all modifications to make to your rack,(shortening the tie rod ends, and re-threading them) or you can buy one from them already done. I hope this helps out some of the folks that are considering this swap, I now I spent a lot of time trying to get this right and i was assisted a great deal by information that I found on this site as well as many others too!