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1938 pontiac

6K views 5 replies 4 participants last post by  Don Lyon 
#1 ·
I am just beginning a project of 38 pontiac sedan 2 door. Would it be better for me to use orig chassis, sub-frame it, or set the body on another frame?
 
#2 · (Edited)
I would suggest using an early 70's Camaro/Firebird/Nove subframe. I used a 1970 subframe when I was building my 40 Pontiac. But I cut both frames and butted them together and used plates to finish it off. What I would suggest is to use the whole subframe making openings in the stock frame for the sub to fit into. This is how my 39 Chevy was done. See the attached photo. [I wish I had taken pic of the complete change over but I didn't]. As you can see the subframe fits through the frame and I was able to use the stock subframe trans mount. I also have Fat Man shortened upper and lower A arms.
The most important part is measure, measure, measure!! Make sure that the wheel base is the same as it was when stock and everything is square when it is TACKED together. When you are sure it is, make your permanent welds.
Installing a Mustang II front end is another way, but I'm not sure that they make a kit for a Pontiac. They didn't make one 20 years ago when I was building the Pontiac.
I personally would not recommend using a complete frame from another car. They seldom fit or look right without a LOT of tweaking.
Just my $0.02.
mike
 

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#5 ·
I have a 37 Pontiac Business Coupe. Have the same questions. Saw that someone used a 80 Camaro subframe. The car came with a 318 Mopar. Fits real nice. Doesn't require any cutting of frame or movement of steering box. It may not be hot rod "kosher" since it is not a GM motor in a GM body, but I may just go to a built 340 given how well this block/setup fits.
 
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