Front Axle / Front Suspension: straight axle for a 60 lark?

[mookandairin]

is there a straight axle that bolts up to make the gasser? and what mods are there to do to make a gasser out of a 60 lark? I am tossing around ideas for a look.

[DEEPNHOCK]

Speedway and several others make a universal kit.
I have never seen a pre-built setup made specifically for a Studebaker anything...

(straight)

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Semi-Elliptical-Straight-Axle-Kit-for-Chevy-Spindle,8982.html

(dropped)

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/dropped-semi-elliptical-gasser-axle-kit-for-chevy-spindle,34544.html

[Warren Webb]

The width of the axle might be a factor. Why not locate a front axle from a Champ? Studebakers are on the narrow side. The width would be ok then & you could use the king pins, spindles, brakes, tie rods as an assembly. I would go with a Mercedes steering gearbox (from a W123 chassis) that has a similar pitman arm to the Champ gearbox, then couple it to a column such as an "IDIDIT' or the like.

[mookandairin]

with the motor I got it is the wrong area tho.but it would be bad a**

[mookandairin]

would that fly with the community putting it on the lark having turbos?

[Skybolt]

Your car, your money, your choice. It's all good if it brings you enjoyment.

[mookandairin]

I am thinking,I might try this mod over the winter/spring. I mean you can change the spindles and everything to go with whatever disc brakes you want.not a bad trade off from the "stock" look.and Gassers are making a BIG come back in the hot rod world.everyone at the drags love when the gasser's run.anyways, I am kind of still tossing that one in the air for now.I was thinking about the turbo thing and a gasser.why not? they were making power with what ever they could get their hands on at that time. it just so happened to be blowers.yes, turbos were out there but they were and are in the unknown territory when it comes to cam's and such.they are just now starting to take them seriously in the drag world outside of the import crowd. they thought they all had something to mess with the v8's but we stole that idea right out from under them.now..............we can't be touched by a 4 or a 6 cylinder.that has got to hurt.although,I have seen some incredably fast imports in my day.I am talking about 8 sec 6 cylinder Supras and others like a 9 sec 4 cylinder corolla.but them are rare to say the least and they have close to 30,000 in the motor or more.I think I would have said,screw it and built a v8 and set it in a import for 1/2 the money and went just as fast.but that is their money they are spending.not mine lol

[Ron Dame]

The width of the axle might be a factor. Why not locate a front axle from a Champ? Studebakers are on the narrow side. The width would be ok then & you could use the king pins, spindles, brakes, tie rods as an assembly. I would go with a Mercedes steering gearbox (from a W123 chassis) that has a similar pitman arm to the Champ gearbox, then couple it to a column such as an "IDIDIT' or the like.

Hey Warren, Which year Champs does the Merc steering box work with? It sounds like a better option for power steering than the Hawk conversion others have tried.

[Alan]

It will work with 60-62's. 63-64's with some slight mods. Since they are not cross steer.

[Ron Dame]

It will work with 60-62's. 63-64's with some slight mods. Since they are not cross steer.

I'd love more details for the 8E's.

[JRoberts]

I with Ron, I would love to hear more about the Mercedes set up.

[Alan]

Have not done the Mercedes set up. But have done GM 625's and cross steer R&P's on an 8E. The 8E uses a drag link style with a idler pivot. The box itself is better than the earlier 7E's but the linkage is heavy and clumsy.

[Ron Dame]

Have not done the Mercedes set up. But have done GM 625's and cross steer R&P's on an 8E. The 8E uses a drag link style with a idler pivot. The box itself is better than the earlier 7E's but the linkage is heavy and clumsy.

I'm gonna start a new thread rather than continue hijacking this one

[Warren Webb]

The Mercedes gearbox is the W123 chassis, primarily 78-83 240D, 78-85 300 series. I have seen it in Turning Wheels, february 2010 (I think) in a Champ where it was used with the Mercedes pump on a Stude V-8.

[Bob Andrews]

Hey Warren, Which year Champs does the Merc steering box work with? It sounds like a better option for power steering than the Hawk conversion others have tried.

Don't forget this as a possible option. It's in the works:

http://forum.studebakerdriversclub.com/showthread.php?52858-Converting-manual-box-to-power-steering-UPDATE-7-21