Hot Rods Finally making decisions on my '40 Ford

Bought my coupe over two years ago, after it sat in the second floor of a warehouse since 1964. It's been sitting up on my lift ever since, due to starting a new business, involvement with my other hobbies, and mostly from indecision on my part. The car has a '49 Merc flat and a few minor mods, but mostly stock. The motor is free, but not running yet. My original intention was to make it safe (rebuild brakes and suspension) and drive it. I really like the traditional idea, but you know the drill- how far do you go? Are stock brakes safe enough? Should I convert to dual master? Disc brakes? Better rear end? etc. etc. Well, some of you won't approve, but I made a deal on a real nice complete '40 ch***is with M2 front, vette rear, RodLite wheels, almost new tires, rolling and ready to go, for $2K. I won't get rid of my existing ch***is, but this would make a solid, reliable, safe driver that I would be comfortable letting my wife drive. The body might end up back on the original ch***is some day after I go through it all, but for now, I think this is the right decision. My question is engine choice. First off, it will NOT be a small block Chevy! I wouldn't mind using the Merc, but that would mean sticking with the manual trans, and again, I would like to see the wife use it some. I also will not cut the firewall. The car is too solid to cut on. The engines I have here are: Ford 351C, Ford 460, Chrysler 318 and 440s, 555" Chevy, and a 572" Chrysler Hemi. Most likely won't be using either of the big ones! I'm leaning towards a 440, depending on fitment. I think it's a bit shorter than the 351C, and the distributor is in the front, unlike the 318. I would like to hear your experiences with any of the above engines in a '40 without cutting the firewall. Thanks for the help.

 

Well, no response on that question, so let's try another one. Please tell me your method of lifting the body off the frame. I have a two post above ground lift. Where are the best places to attach straps, or possibly set the body directly on the lift arms? Thanks again.

 

Used a sturdy piece of lumber with a couple of flat plates on either side so it will tilt from side to side. Make sure it is as far back in the door jamb as possible, it will still be back heavy. I did this all by myself. Probably not the best tactic for doing this, but worked for me. See my thread "Fresh off the trailer".

 

A 40 Ford Coupe for Uncle Mike Build Thread
Look thru this thread for a great idea on lifting the body.

 

Thanks, guys. I wondered about lifting it through the doorways, just didn't want to hurt anything.

 

okie, That's pretty much what I was wondering- where the best lift points would be. I can position the 4 arms of my lift over these points, and drop down straps or chains without using spreader bars. That's quite a detailed thread- glad I found a good car, and also glad I'm not quite as picky as he is!

 

Waiting for pictures of your coupe as you start.

 

Will get started soon. Picking up the ch***is on Friday. I'll take some pics- it will keep me motivated!

 

LOL... picky? Yes I guess I am, maybe that's why it has taken me over 4 years to get this far!As far as using the merc goes they do make adapters for C4 automatics and 5 speeds. I used the 4 point pick with individual tuggits ( or chain falls) many years ago on 40 sedan . It worked fine. any time you use a 4 point pick or spreader bar you can safely pick the body by yourself and easily control the placement of the body back onto the frame. The spreader bar method just cuts the amount of trips around the car while in the process of lifting or lowering. The spreader bars were really quite simple to make and only took a couple of hours.

Best of luck on your coupe build. I hope you have fun with your build and even more fun driving the coupe!

 

Here is a speedway add on line for a C4 adapter. Will Capp also offers a lot of choices which may come in handy since you have so many engines to choose from.

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Flath...&CAGPSPN=pla&gclid=CJjpouaYlMICFSgV7Aodt3gAKQ

 

No offence intended on the "picky" comment- probably should have said "dedicated" or "talented", which you certainly are! I wish I still had the p***ion to make this car as nice as yours, but I'm afraid if I dive in too deep, I'll never get it done enough to enjoy it- I know my limitations! I appreciate the tips ( I certainly need them) and I wouldn't mind using the Merc. Adapting to an automatic would be a good alternative. I sure hope to be driving it by spring.

 

No problem, my car club buddies have certainly used stronger wording to describe my attention to detail,and I am sure my uncle would have been quite happy to drive the car as it was. It just so happens he is my only uncle and I happen to value him quite highly and did not want to read about his getting run over on the Seattle freeways.......

I understand the desire to get in and just get it running,on the road and enjoy it. Life is short and we have none to waste. I also have a spring goal for this coupe. Of course I have been saying that for the last two years. I really think we might make it this year though.Well maybe June.....

I just finished my 6 week surgery recovery period so now I can get back on the project. The frame and running gear are next and I hope that goes pretty quick as I have the front axle and rear end all ready to go. The maim body is currently getting final body work and paint and the rest of the parts are already painted.

Now I just have to kick this HAMB addiction so I can concentrate on the car!

Sam Profit

 

Wow, a Cleveland would be cool. I know it has been done, but you are right on the thought of sizing per firewall clearance. Sooooo many cool 1937-40 Ford Coupe/sedan owners here.....more so can't forget the truck versions.....a lot of cool trucksters too.

Bump for better advice then a drooly mouth Torino schmuck. Where is the '40 mafia when ya' need 'em ??

 

Carry on--love them 40's-have picked many coupes off the frame with 4x4's thru the doors and 1/4 windows wrapped in moving blankets and an overhead lift. Also have jacked up the body,set on 4x4's on oil drums and rolled the ch***is out.

 

A hotroder after my own heart,....keeping the flatly ....if you don't want to shift, put the c4 in it and drive that baby!


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I am not familiar with all of the engines you have listed but of those listed the 351 Cleavland sounds like the best choice. This Ford barn thread might be helpful. You might have to change the oil pan and I think they have a short water pump kit that will help squeeze the engine package between your firewall and the radiator. I think most people end up running an electric pusher fan in front of the radiator.

http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=23287

 

A local guy installed a 392 in his 39 a few years back. As I recall he had to do a little surgery to p***enger side firewall towards the bottom. I think he used a turbo 350 trans.

Hemi thread. I think there is one 426 style hemi pictured in this thread.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/fitting-a-331-hemi-in-a-1940-ford.927622/

 

I really appreciate all the response. It just makes me want to tear into it and get it done. At this point, I'm leaning strongly toward the 351C. It's a CJ version that I found years ago with only 50K miles on it. I put it in a pro-street style Fairmont in about 1983 (yeah, I'm old) and that's where it still is. For that car, I built a rear sump pan, and welded up a pair of short exhaust manifolds, which means it's pretty much ready to go in the '40 with the M2 suspension. I looked at that cool SnowWhite water pump setup, which should solve the length problem. My new ch***is has a vette rear with 4.11 gears, so i will use an AOD trans. If I would happen to use the Merc motor, I'll still use the AOD. I do have an early Hemi around also (330), but it needs everything. I'm just looking for a stone reliable cruiser that I won't be afraid of driving anywhere, and I think the Cleveland would do that for me. Gotta make a decision soon- time to get to work! Thanks again for the help and encouragement.

 

I looked at a setup that Speedway sells to shorten the Ford length at an event last summer. Pretty nice setup that uses a Chrysler pump if I remember correctly.

 

Anything is reliable if put together properly. All motors came in a production cars that people drove everywhere. It really depends on what you are comfortable with.

 

I've dropped a W motor in mine, big block size, and a T5. Ever such a light m***age to the p***enger side firewall, there's enough room at the front for a fan, but the nose of the engine sits a bit too high for a fan to pull thru the rad, so may have to go electric. have a look at my build thread for firewall mod. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/348-powered-40-ford-sedan.936487/
A friend of mine in Oz has a 351 in his coupe, it does fit, but it is tight.

 

That's exactly right, and the comfort level is why I'm probably using the Cleveland. Even if the Merc was brand new, I'd still feel better not using it.

neilswheels, that's a nice car you're building. Looks like you started with a good one, and the craftsmanship is great. Good luck with it.

 

Cleveland all the way. Love the idea of a Ford in a Ford.

 

Sorry about the doubled up pics. I can't seem to figure out how to delete the extras.

 

Hey that did fit in there very good Toolz.Nice job!
As to the extra pictures you should be able to right click your mouse on the picture and hit delete. You may have to click the edit ****on first.

 

Nice work. Call it mock up. You are right in making stuff pretty....always left waiting. Mock up means driving. I like that fine.

 

Here is a '40 Ford Coupe with a 351C in it: http://www.hotrod.com/cars/featured/1204sr-1940-ford-coupe/

 

Don't think mine will turn out remotely similar, but that's quite a car! Even if I had the skills (and money) to do that, I would have a hard time doing it to a 75 year old car. Now if I could get one of those reproduction bodies......

 

I haven't touched a '40 Ford in, well, 40 years (and it was a sedan), but like what you are doing...keep it safe and drivable...you seem well on your way to achieving both...

 

My father has a '40 Ford with a 351 (firewall still intact) sitting in it stashed away in his garage. He built it in highschool, daily drove it, then when someone backed into the front grill bending the fan, bashing the radiator, and pushing the front fenders out, it just sat. He longs to drive it again, but has always been too busy with work to find the time. That emerald green body looks just like it. It reminds me of my childhood. ha