Thread: Old Plymouth

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I hope you can help me. I just hauled home a 1928 Plymouth coupe and am planning out how to "rod" it. The front suspension is very visible, so I don't really want to try a clip or a Mustang 2. The car is original with a straight axle and twin leaf springs. If I keep this suspension, is there a source for king pin spindles with discs and modern wheel bolt pattern? The existing spindles run to huge drums and are rivetted to the wood wheels. Not really the look I am going for! I know nothing about king pins/spindles so I don't know what I'd modify or what is available. Any advice is appreciated.

Richard

Richard,

What are you doing with the origional parts from your 28. I have an origional restored 28 and am always looking for parts.

Mike

I don't know of anyone that makes brake kits for a 28 Plymouth spindle. You may have to make your own adapters. another alternative might be a front axle from a 46 to 48 Ford pickup. They had twin leaf springs and there are a lot of brake kits available for them. Another good straight axle to use is the early Ford Econoline. (61 to 66). What's the distance between your springs. I can measure some axles and see what comes closest to yours.
AL

Al's suggestion is a good one, but you have more alternatives. As I read your question I thought about the Chevrolet straight axle with disk brakes that I hope to sell someday in the future.

But rather than deal with the factory straight I-beam kind of things, why not look for a tubular (even chrome) axle for which you can get a disk brake kit.

I'd sell the stock stuff to someone like Mike...

I agree. Try one of the aftermarket frame builders. I have a TCI frame under a 29 A bone and it really simplifies attaching late model (modern) brakes, springs, shocks, etc, etc.

Harris

Richard
I measured the front axle from my 47 Ford pickup and the center of the springs are 28 1/2 inches apart. The Econoline measured 36 inches. I don't have any other straight axles. Plymouth made some tubular front axles that early hot rodders used on their old Fords. I don't know if they adapted Ford spindles to them or used the Plymouth brakes. Maybe there's an old timer on here that had some experience with them.
AL

I've decided to investigate whether late model wheel hubs can be fitted to the original spindles with an adapter. My neighbor showed me the "kit" that allows modern hubs (with discs) to be fitted to his Ford. Essentially just stepped bushings that slide over the spindle and set the proper ID's and distances for the bearings on a late model hub. All I need now is the time to go scavenge some late model hubs from a wrecker and see which ones could be made to fit. The Plymouth spindle is very long and small diameter, so I think it should be possible.

I know I'm in the minority here, but I like the look of the original cast "I-Beam" axle versus a tube.

Richard, I agree with you, I like the Ibeam better than the tube also, I am going to use a Ibeam from a 1950s truck that my Grandpa converted into the axel for a trailer he hauled the plow on way back when. I just recently dug it up last year. Not only is the price right for me, but I like the looks of it also.

I have inhareted a 90% restored 28 plymouth and am looking a good price range to start my bid If you have any idea please respond. Angel