Build Thread: 1937 LaSalle / Family Hot Rod

[37 Caddy]

Pick a winner. I am trying to figure out how to mount the front brake lines. I have mocked it up differently on both sides of the car. Which is better? Why?

The pics show the mounting tabs and the tight clearances I am working with on both sides. I know the tire shouldn't touch the frame, but that is an issue I will have to address later.

As always, I appreciate your help and brutal criticism.

Option 1:
brake tab left.JPG
brake tab gap left.JPG

Option 2:
brake tab right.JPG
brake tab gap right.JPG

[joe brienza]

hi looks like it will work out fine, hang in there, joe

[37 Caddy]

I thought for sure that I would get a hundred responses when I asked for everyone's opinion on my brake tab options.

I am leaning toward option #2. It would seem to give me better clearance, less opportunity to kink a cable, and I could run the brake lines up and over rather than trying to weave them around a bunch of obstacles on the underside.

I am still seeking opinions, especially if I have missed any key factors relating to running brake lines. This is my first ever attempt.

[joe brienza]

usually the brake lines hug the chassis , most important keep the lines away from manifolds , exhaust pipes notherwords heat , away from swing arms so they wont get crushed , must be careful when the front wheels turn the flexi lines wont hit or rub must be careful that nothing kinks the lines, thats about it,take your time ,

[NTFDAY]

I'd also run adel clamps every so often to the hard lines stationary.

[37 Caddy]

Thanks. I have been very sensitive to the heat concerns. In fact that is why I will likely only run a single exhaust. I have far too much going on under the driver's seat to also try to shove an exhaust pipe under there as well.

I will also install the line clamps. I have been waiting till I get the lines run the way I want.

[speedy55779]

in one of your pics is the inside of your tires touching the frame when you turn them all the way???? the brake lines look good where they are A+

[randyr]

Thanks. I have been very sensitive to the heat concerns. In fact that is why I will likely only run a single exhaust. I have far too much going on under the driver's seat to also try to shove an exhaust pipe under there as well.

I will also install the line clamps. I have been waiting till I get the lines run the way I want.

Hey Caddy, just wanted to say I'm lovin this car. It's going to be very cool!

Also, from looking at the pics of your frame, if you re-route the brake lines from both ends of the car along the center x-member, instead of the outside frame rail, and attach them to the inboard ports of the master cylinder, that should give you much more clearance to run an exhaust pipe on the driver's side of the car too. Of course, I'm assuming that your master cylinder has ports or both sides. It looks like it in the pics. Just a thought.....

[37 Caddy]

Yes, the current set of tires does touch the frame at full stop. That is just one of the many outstanding issues I will have to address before this car is done. I am beginning to come to grips with the fact that I will probably need to get different tires and rims. These are 16x8 and pretty tall. The original Camaro rims were likely 15x7 and not quite so tall. I will cross this bridge when I get there.

As for the brake lines, I did consider running them on the inside along the X-member but that posed a lot more headaches than I felt it was worth. (Passing lines in and out of the frame, etc) While I am worried about heating up the brake lines, I am more worried about boiling the fluid in the master cylinder itself. I may be worrying too much. I have a few friends who can't imagine a hot rod without dual exhaust, but for the "family hot rod" I am okay with having just a single pipe.

By the way, I am hoping to order a muffler and a box full of bends tomorrow.

[37 Caddy]

My box full of exhaust bends showed up on Friday and once I finished the yard work and put the baby to bed (wife left on a business trip tonight) I found time to get to work on the Caddy's exhaust. All in all it is going pretty smoothly. I will certainly take the tacked together system to the muffler shop to make the welds prettier.

Here are some pictures of how far I have gotten and some pictures of tomorrow night's challenge.

My headers have 2 1/4 inch collectors and I am going to use a 3 inch muffler. I am going to make this work by flattening one end of the 3 inch exhaust pipe until it matches the diameter of the 2 1/4 inch pipe and then I am going to siamese the two pipes coming off the header from either side of the engine. Hopefully the pics help explain. Has anybody ever tried this?

Any advice is always appreciated.

exhaust fab 3.JPG

exhaust fab 4.JPG

exhaust fab 1.JPG

exhaust fab 2.JPG

[Dave Severson]

I like option 2 on the brakes, Caddy. The exhaust should work out fine, same way I like to build mine, just hate them gimpy looking exhaust bender bends!!!!

[37 Caddy]

I am proud to share some success with my CHR friends. I have never done any exhaust work before, but I am very pleased with the result. I was even able to blend the 2 into 1 like I had described earlier. I still need to have the welds prettied up by a muffler shop, but all in all I am very happy with how it turned out. And I had enough foresight to leave room to access my oil filter and the starter. Take a look.

exhaust blended 2.JPG

exhaust blended.JPG

exhaust assembly 2.JPG

exhaust assembly collectors.JPG

[Dave Severson]

Looks great, Caddy..... Ya just never know wht you can do til you try it!~!!!!!! Keep going on the car, going to be a nice one!

[39Deluxe]

Nice exhaust work. This gives me hope that I can do the same. I have 2 different sets of mufflers and at least 3 designs I've been thinking about. I have bought a couple of those pre bent mandrals to get started. They are the way to go for smooth results. I have been thinking of crossing over and dumping out the side using that large oval Spin Tech tubing but that stuff is really expen$ive.

Tom

[37 Caddy]

There is no guarantee they won't leak, but the brake lines are in on the LaSalle. They seem to have turned out well and I thank everyone for their help. I have not messed around with the disks or the drums. I plan on having a shop I trust go through those when the car is closer to hitting the road.

Front Brakes 1.JPG

Front Brakes 2.JPG

Front Brakes 3.JPG