The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop Question about "front clipping" a 1950

I have a 1950 Chev 1/2 shortbox. I heard the old Nova front clips were an easy mod. I even heard someone say the sub frame slid directly in between the original frame. This almost sounds to easy that is why I need to ask before a guy takes the plunge. Has anyone done this? Have pics or a video? Thanks Darcy

Reference the sticky at the top of this page. All the info on this project that you could ever want and then some. Good luck.

I Checked the sticky out and no mention of welding in a Nova sub frame. I`d love to see a build done with one. I heard the almost slide right between the rails of the 47-53`s.

You are correct, no one mentions the Nova swap. I had a frame once that had the Nova conversion on it and it looked the same as my Camero conversion on the '47 3100 frame I have now. If you can use a tape measure and a welder you can do it. Good luck with your project.

Might want to check with " BC52 " on this forum. He has a 52 with Nova clip. Fellows name is Boyd. He is on the B.C. Bolters site.

Thank you!

Darcy,

I put a 69 Nova clip on my 49 suburban several years ago and have had no issues . Not to difficult just need to take correct measurements to get wheelbase correct and graft the subframe to the frame. I bought clip for $ 200 and spent $2-250 to rebuild a s in new condition, plus $100 for w certified welder to burn it in once I had it tacked together. I'll try to find some pics if you send me a PM. Just need to be a good welder or find one to do the job

Sid

I've mated a '79 Firebird front subframe to my '54 halfton. It was a near-perfect fit. Any Firebird from '71 thru '80 should work the same. --Al

Anyone know their Novas? I was told my clip was around 1974. It has the shock absorber bumper mounts which makes me believe its newer. Bushing kits and rotors, etc are not the same between the earlier ones and mid 70`s.

68-72 are rear steer 73 and later are front steer

Mine is rear steer. I have been told by the builder that it is a 74.I can't answer about bumper mounts.If there were any,they are gone.

There are several ways to graft a clip on; some choose to butt the truck frame into the Camaro/Firebird/Nova clip and leave the new frame run back under the truck frame for added strength but trimming off the under hanging part gives a much cleaner look. Before I remove the IFS from the donor car I like to use an angel finder on the upper A-frame cross bar to see what angle it is at. This is the anti dive angle for braking and also gets it close enough to align when finished. A "T" post laid on it's side and fastened to the cowl or firewall and with a plumb bob hanging through the center of the spindle on each side with the wheels straight ahead is handy as it keeps both hands free to adjust the new clip into place.

http://s32.photobucket.com/user/coilover/media/truckrollpansclips010.jpg.html

http://s32.photobucket.com/user/coilover/media/truckrollpansclips009.jpg.html

http://s32.photobucket.com/user/coilover/media/truckrollpansclips007.jpg.html

I hate clipped frames from an engineering point of view. you will need to fish plate the joints.

I much prefer an IFS kit under the stock frame.

The joint is way stronger than any other part of the frame so one needs to taper the boxing plate or make a parabola shaped cut in the end to give a transition area from super rigid (the joint) to wet spaghetti (the "C" channel frame). If cut square and used hard cracks can develop where flex meets rigid.