1950 Plymouth Three Window Coupe - Ramrodder: Part IV - Tech

A notch was cut in the top of the framerail to accommodate the gearbox-it, too, will be boxed. We ran out of time and didn't get the drag link done, but we'll show how it connects to the right steering arm when the column is installed.

Speedway axles come in 44, 46, 48 and 50-inch widths with custom widths available on a special order basis (we used a 50-inch). The tie rod (and soon the drag link) is tucked in behind the axle for a clean look. Front tires for drag strip use are Mickey Thompson 26.0/4.5-15 on forged aluminum M/T wheels.

For rear suspension we used these unique coilovers from Art Morrison. Standard shocks slip into adapters that accept the springs. Threaded collars on the adapters and mounting brackets with a variety of mounting holes allow for easy suspension adjustments.

The shocks simply slip into the adapters and are secured with a bolt through the bottom bushing.

We had already located the Currie 9-Plus axle housing via a pair of Art Morrison ladder bars. To position it side-to-side a Morrison Panhard bar was added.

We were going to attach the upper spring mounts to the inside of the framerails-instead we added an 1-1/4-inch square tubing crossmember and welded the mounts to it.

For reinforcement, gussets were formed to fit around the upper mounts then welded in place. Small gussets will be added above the crossmember as well.

While our rear suspension is more suited to the drag strip than the street, we're willing to make some compromises due to the intended use of the car. We're not planning on driving it cross-country and the soft bushings in the fronts of the ladder bars add some compliance-plus we have a few tricks up our sleeve that will make it adaptable to the situation.

Our 9-inch centersection from Currie has 3.78:1 gears and a Tru-Trac limited-slip. Surprisingly, the stock Plymouth rear fender wells will easily accommodate a 10-inch wide tire up and maybe wider with a carefully selected combination of rearend width and wheel offset.

Currie also supplied the 31-spline axles with new bearings and retainers. Considerably stronger than stock shafts, these alloy axles will stand up to the torque generated by our blown Hemi.

Rear brakes are 11-inch drums from Currie. We used their very affordable package that included everything, including new drums. When install these assemblies, the shoe with the short lining goes to the front to the car.

Gassers have to have radiused rear fenders, right? Only how do you get it right when you cut them? With the housing at ride height we used an axle puller to locate the center of the axle, we then drilled a hole in an old yardstick and slipped it over the puller's shaft.

Our tires are almost 30 inches tall, so we drilled a hole in the yard stick 15 inches from the puller's shaft, stuck in a felt-tip pin and marked the fenders for cutting.

An abrasive wheel was used to cut the fenders-the trick is to go slowly. Once cut the edges were cleaned up and smoothed with a flexible sanding disc. When the bodywork is done, reinforcement will be added to the opening.

On the strip we'll be using P295/65R15 (30x12.50s) Mickey Thompson ET street radials, street rubber hasn't been decided on but the size will be the same.