[fiscus]

Can a straight axle setup be lighter than a conventional setup with control arms? I figure it is possible. I know it makes more room for headers, any other advantages? Better launch?

[Henry Highrise]

The straight axle front ends on the old gassers were done that way mainly raise the front and shift weight for a better launch etc.

[trees]

An old time gasser friend of mine said he used them for one thing only and that was so he could raise the front of the car and keep the motor low. The rules then were you had to run a hood and nothing could stick up above the hood line. The raised front with the motor dropped to just clear the axle let him run a tall intake with a tall spacer between carb and intake or a later tunnel ram.

Trees

[AntnyL]

In addition to making it easy to raise the front end to shift more weight to the rear, the straight axle also keeps the front wheels plumb when the wheels come off the ground and come back down. An IFS allows the wheels to droop. So when the front comes back down, the plumb wheels on a straight axle make for a safer, more controllable run.

[61bone]

If memory serves, the center of the crank could be no more than 24" off the ground and thats what it took to get it there. Side effects were lighter frontend, better weight transfer, more caster could be dialed in for better straight line direction, better control of body torque roll and arguably less air drag. Least thats why I did it, Cool was not a factor.

[...jasper...]

"Fiscus" straight axles are put in almost anything. Im not sure how much of the straight axle you can see. But I have a car in the galley that has 1930 ford straight axle under it. This is the second gasser I built. Its does not have the ride of a Caddy. But its not bad,and they look cool. You can buy anything you need for the axle new. Even a disc brake set up like I have. But remember, lots of guys install them wrong. And it makes the car hell to drive. We can like let go of the wheel at 60 mph and it runs straight. Also after you install it. You have to find someone that know how to aligned straight axle front ends. Most that think they can can't. Its totally different then a late model front ends. I live in a town of over 4 million people and its only one garage that I would trust to align mine. Take your time,and measure twice. If you find it easy your doing something wrong. We also have a 56 chevy car with a straight axle under it. Ill get a picture of it also.
Good Luck !

[kruzr]

Good info.....My bud is going to put one in a 55Chevy,new front clip(tubing)........
Found Jim Meyers site lot of good info there on 55's setup.......

[Jmark]

This bestest thing about them for me?????? They look totally awesome!!!!

Mark

[Chevrolet4x4s]

Originally Posted by Jmark

This bestest thing about them for me?????? They look totally awesome!!!!

Mark

Yes they do

Shane

[brocluno]

They allowed the cross member to be cut away and placed where you want it. That meant you can run headers, motor plates, engine mounts, all sorts of things that are easier to mount or fab. Also, you can drop the pan and service the engine without pulling it. All around tidy front end without the weight of the IFS and massive cross member needed to control/mount IFS.

On the cheap you could get the front end from a pick-up or a van including steering box for a few $$. Better built set-ups used chrome-moly tube axles, coil overs and even disk brakes (although they drag). Many were built with good drums off big GM cars like Buick and the stopped OK. Dollars got you lighter and stiffer. But the ideas were the same

[BillyShope]

Originally Posted by 61bone

If memory serves, the center of the crank could be no more than 24" off the ground....

And still can't. You're reviving some old memories. (I'm 10 years your senior.) Though I can't prove it, of course, it's my belief that the 24 inch rule was put in the books to eliminate the Ramchargers C/A from competition. It had gotten to the point that, when the car showed up at a strip, the Chevy powered cars would refuse to run, claiming that it was unfair to have to compete against a factory car. While the Ramchargers were later to truly become a "factory" group, the claim was not true at the time. Anyway, I'm certain this brought pressure on the NHRA. At essentially the same time, the pounds per cubic inch number for C/A was changed, allowing Chevy powered cars to reclaim the records. (Of course, they still had to beat Billy Rasmussen's DeSoto powered C/A.)

Incidentally, the front suspension of the C/A was stock.
http://www.racetec.cc/shope