Technical best U joint for Ford closed drive moderate horsepower?

not too familiar with this stuff,
I need a U joint that can take a little punishment that fits the '38-'48 Ford car and light truck.
what do I look for and where do I look?
I did a few searches and all I see are the '28-'48 units that look like Model A stuff-
very fragile looking.
what are my options?

It will go in my '27 roadster, 324 Olds, LaSalle transmission, '40 something driveshaft, Rodsville quickchange, '50 Mercury axles, (relatively) lots of rubber on back..
maybe 300 horsepower, no dragstrip launches.. well maybe one or two

 

If you're looking for a closed drive type, you don't have many choices. The Ford B-7090 uj with the solid bushings or the Lincoln Zephyr version with the needle bearings. The repop u-joints are problematic. I would stay with the original factory part. If the one you have is sloppy in the bushings, you can order a repair kit for it (new spider and bushings). There is no kit for the LZ joint as far as I know.

The Ford UJ is a pretty tough part. I see wear in the bushings but I've never seen a broken one. You are more likely to break something else in the driveline than those u-joints. Keep them greased and it'll probably outlast you.

 

I have two used u joints, both needle bearing type.
Took one apart to clean and inspect,
it's too worn to use.
I'm ***uming the other is too.

So, I have Lincoln Zephyr joints?
And I'm looking for original replacements?

 

You can see in the picture the needles have worn grooves on their inner races.

Ignore the bearing box, it's a Cad LaSalle throw out bearing.

 

Those grooves are why the guys recommend the Ford style. The bushings won't carve grooves.

I find WAY more good joints at swap meets than loose ones.

 

thanks,
unfortunately swap meets are far and few between around here,
next one isn't for a couple months.
I will try the local old part vendors Monday.
in the mean time I took the second one apart and it looked pretty good so I cleaned it up, greased it and re***embled it and filed it away.

I noticed the first one had also been modified to fit inside the smaller ball cup,
both inside the splined transmission side and the outside corners of the back yoke.

like so:

 

Just helped a friend change one in his 40 Ford sedan. He used the Bob Drake LZ type u-joint with roller bearings. Fit good and tight and looks to be high quality. He is also relatively close to you. Several other friends here have used them in the past year and have no complaints.