We have been looking for the wife a 40's sedan. Really like the 46-48 Fords, but have ran across a 1940 Chevy 2dr that she likes, supposedly all original car. I have more knowledge of the Fords than the Chevy's, so I've got a few questions. It supposedly has the stock inline 6, I'm guessing this is a babbit rod engine? How good are they for modern highway travel? We drive our cars, and want something for her that will do highway speeds and be reliable. I figure it has a closed driveline, too, so how much trouble would it be to drop in a later small block 305 or 350 and automatic and a later open rear? Any off the shelf mount kits out there? I only have weekends free, so would want to do the swap in a couple of them if possible. Would drive it as is while I gathered up parts. She wants power steering and AC, too, would probably do that when I did the engine swap. Not sure what front end is under it, I'm hoping it is straight axle and not knee action. Any thoughts there? What is easiest straight axle to swap in if it does turn out to be a knee action? Just looking for info, may not even fool with it and keep looking for a Ford.
IMHO The 40 at 50 mph would be fine. As far as the front end I think they could be any of the three you wrote about. I know 39 had all three. Some of those had vacuum shift which is a PITA. But they make real nice drivers when done up with some modern parts.
I want one we can drive right now. I'm willing to buy a real nice stocker, then add the modern stuff down the road, or not, all depends on what she wants to do. That's why this sedan caught my eye, looks to be in pretty good condition, not sure how hard it is to modernize the old Chevy's, know Fords much better. The perfect car would be a 46-48 Ford Tudor sedan with a modern engine, trans and rear already, maybe just needing a little interior or paint work. Remember this is for the wife, so she wants more creature comforts than I would have to have.
stuff is pretty easy to get: chassis engineering for front end ac, rubber parts no problem, patch panels www.emsautomotive.com only some unique to 40 chrome trim would be difficult, the ems guy
They had poured babbit bearings and splash lubrication, keep speed below 55 and it will last a long time, how long who knows. For modern hiway use you will have to gut it like a trout and replace engine, trans, driveshaft, rear axle, for a start. The front suspension and brakes are not the greatest either. I doubt you could use any prewar car for sustained hiway travel today without major modifications, possible exceptions being the heavy models like Cadillac, Packard, Chrysler Imperial or New Yorker.
38 was the last year for the knee action front susp, 40's had either a strate axle or independent front with a-frames and coils. from what you said you'd like to have, Chassis engineering has a bolt-on Mustang II style front suspension, along with rear leaf spring , motor/trans kits that would be easy to install. Good luck, show us some photos if you get it.
I ran my 53 Chevrolet with the closed drive line for about four years. (Put alot of miles on it that way!) I drove it from upstate N.Y. to Englishtown N.J. , and mid state Mass. at Interstate speeds. The had (still has a two ton 261 Chevrolet 6 see avatar) and a stock 3:70 gear. I change to open drive when I redid the engine. (Using 50's Corvette 3 SPD floor shift and 57 Chevrolet rear) The last Chevrolet car axle was 1941. The Chevrolet frame change very little from the early 40's to 54.
Sounds like you should wait for what you like and know more about and how to work on and maintain. I have a daily driver mostly stock 48 with a souped-up bigger/later drop-in engine and freeway rear gears. I don't recommend using the original 216 engine and 4:11 rear for frequent freeway trips with today's traffic flow. Around town and country roads is OK though. 1940 Chevs are nice and if you find a survivor that's mostly original, please leave it as is. Somebody will take care of it and enjoy it for another 70 + years.
If your wife likes the '40 Chevy then I think your choice has been made. As far as power steering goes the large diameter wheel and narrow tires don't need it. Freeway speeds will kill the 216 sooner rather than later and it is fairly easy to transplant a SBC driveline. Find a gen II Camaro for a donor. Several vendors make mount kits but if you have minimal fabricating skills it's easy to make side mounts. The transmission cross member is riveted in and can be a bear to grind them out if you want to make it removable. If you ask why, remember the old trans comes out through a hole in the floor and any modern automatic needs to come out the bottom. One last thing to consider is the 1940 model year is a standalone and almost nothing from pre or post 1940 will interchange: trim, sheet metal or rubber.
A 10 bolt from a early camaro or nova (60 - 60.5") works great. Remove a couple leaves and/or add some lowering blocks. Up front, the stock independent can be rebuilt if so desired and add a set of '53 Chevy drums and you have 5 on 4 3/4" all the way around. Makes for a simple and reliable suspension. My father hot rodded a 40 sedan this way in '69 and still going strong.
Good advice from all, thanks. I'm not scared to tear one apart to change things, like I said, just not real familiar with Chevy stuff. I love fabbing stuff, but if stuff is available off the shelf, it just makes life easier. I doubt we would be running interstate speeds very often, mostly State highways, 55-60 MPH. I think the wife is in love more with the long roof and sloping tail more than any specific car, she likes both the Ford Tudors and the Chevy sedans. I prefer a coupe body myself, but it will be hers, as long as momma's happy, everybody's happy!
Biggest holdback is the torque tube drive and the fairly low gears. 4.11 gears and even with tall rear tires your max safe cruising speed is about 65 on a 216. Nice potential in the 40 Chevy, just confirm what you are looking at and how much work do you want to get into? As stated, a swap to open drive rear with 58-60 inch width is good easy fit. 55-57 Chevy, 68-72 Nova, 67-69 Camaro are all good options. SBC fits easy, combine with a later OD trans and great cruiser.
I used a 57 ford rear axle under mine. Fit nice. I drove those 40s cars when I was in high school and never cared for their handling and brakes. My buddy, Gene rolled his 40 coupe on the heights above town and I never forgot it...said it just wouldn't turn and then snapped loose. I put a mustang-type front under mine......and used a 70s trans-am 1.25" sway bar. .they're so easy to install. The 216 in my 40 standard tudor sedan [straight axle] locked up tight while driving one afternoon...at a high idle, no less. Really pissed me off. I don't trust 'em at all anymore. I always replace them with insert 235s or chevy v/8s. Chassis Engineering sells bolt-in front suspensions, rear suspensions, rear and front sway bars with bracketry, motor mount brackets etc etc.
Well, I fooled around too long, couldn't get a hold of the guy, and it got sold. Always something else out there some where.
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