Technical 1936 Ford coupe frame help

Greetings,

I'm a newbie here and I'm looking to get into a 1936 Ford 5 window coupe. The car has a 350/350 and a Ford 8" rear. The car sits on the original frame with parallel leaf springs in the rear added and a drop axle in the front.

I have seen many other cars that have mustang 2 suspension added and others with after market frames. An aftermarket frame is not in the budget for me.

Is the original frame strong enough to handle the increased horsepower and torque of the 330hp sbc? Is this current setup adequate and commonly used with modern v8 performance? I'm hoping someone can chime in who has experience in here on these particular cars.

Thanks in advance for the help

 

Yes. No mods really necessary, that haven't already been done to install the 350/350 you have.

 

Algoma, I haven't looked over the car yet but when you say to install the 350 are you referring to some plates that would have been installed to partially box the frame and to weld side engine mounts on? What type of modifications would have been made to install a 350 trans?

Thanks I'm lost when it comes to 30's cars

 

Show us some pictures. Done correctly you should have no problems. Do a search, most likely you have what is needed already.

 

That frame is strong enough as is, as the guys said. Sometime in the future I am going to build a 46 Ford I have, using MMII suspension, and the only changes I will make are to the transmission crossmember for clearance on the new transmission.

Don

 

Don't count out the the ride that you'll get from a dropped axle and split wishbone set up in your 36 coupe. My father has a 36 five window coupe and a roadster both with dropped axle and a 36 three window with a mustang two style aftermarket front suspension and I think the dropped axles drive better. The overhanging spring set up on the 35+ fords was a major improvement over the earlier style with the spring on top of the axle.

 

I will certainly look over the car well and take plenty of photos that I will post here. I'm just trying to do as much research so I know what I'm looking at and what to expect. Not knowing much about the 30's era cars has me concerned if corners are being cut and exactly how well this car is put together. So far everything seems to be just fine! Thanks

 

Thanks everyone for the feedback. If someone has some photos to share of their car frames that are using drop axles, rear leafs or even the cross members with rails and engine mounts for a small block. I would really appreciate that.

I'm hoping this car will be the right one. I bet they're a kick in the pants to drive!

 

This really should be a no brainer. Fitting a SBC and TH350 is as easy as falling off a log, as is fitting parallel leaves at the back.

But as straightforward and done a million times as it is, there are plenty of butchers out there who can screw anything up.

So, what you are describing sounds perfectly fine...but only seeing it will tell the true tale.

Good luck.

 

kinda watching this one...i thought to put a 350 trans in you needed to open up the cradle with the CE type kit to allow the trans to fit.

I have a 350 Chevy with a powerglide and at least that much HP with a stock frame.

 

A couple of years ago I built a 35 ford coupe using a dropped front axle, a 9" rear, and a 327/350 combo. This is almost identical to what you have. While I haven't seen pictures, like other responders said, you should be fine.

 

If you look in to my buildthread you can see what I´ve done. Not a sbc but the work is the same and I have a th350 there.
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=786196

 

Hopefully this car is nice and we make the deal.

 

Ch***is engineering (CE as mentioned above) is one of the most popular suppliers of bolt on components for 35-40 ch***is's. Their parallel leaf spring kit, split wishbone kit and motor mounts work well on these cars. You can take a loook at their site and see if this is what was used.

http://www.ch***isengineeringinc.com/

 

I just installed the CE kit in my 35. Post a picture of your rear end setup and somebody should be able to tell you what you have (CE, TCI, homemade, etc.)

 

another vote for CE--have installed their products in many 40 Fords. See their website--I recall there is a difference bet early and late 36's at rear of frame.

 

i love the ride of a straight axle...nothing else like it.......mustang box , cross steering and disc brakes......if you want handling , panhard rod up front.......kiss...keep it simple and affordable ......