Projects Henry J drivetrain on a budget

1952 Henry J all original 161

what drivetrain -rear axle and front spindle disc brake setup will work?
The old out dated original brakes ****s! Right rear wheel won’t turn. I’d rather have a brake system front and rear that is easier finding parts on a BUDGET that works and I can install. I’ve heard ford parts work & S10 but am a newbie to all this
Thanks in advance

 

I told you a great option for the front. AMC stubs and drums or disks. A rear out of an OT Volvo 240 fits and is actually a version of a Dana rear, factory uneven 4 bar setup as well.

 

Just asked a guy about a 1983 volvo 240 wagon rear axle.Should I try to get the spindle/front brake ***embly? Not familar with the AMC parts you were talking /referring to.

 

So I found an 89 S10 Blazer ch***is complete with engine and transmission that is going to work for me. The Henry J wheel base is 100" long. The S10 Blazer is 100.5" so it should be pretty much an exact fit.

 

Please post pics. This outta be good!

 

One more screwed up mess that is unfinished coming up for sale on FB marketplace me thinks.
Some times you just have to stop listening to the guys down at the spit and whittle club who think that S-10 ch***is are the fix all for everything and do some real homework.

 

Volvo rear. AMC stubs fromt

 

S10 ch***is sold yesterday5/20/23. Guess it wasn't meant to be.
The rear Volvo axle is available. What is the AMC stubs? Spindles? Can you tell me what front parts would be needed for a conversion.

 

Most spindles consist of a single forging that supports both the wheel and the turning left and right functions. AMC cars use two pieces that bolt together. To make this work, you hack off the part that supports the wheel and fabricate something that

 

Can't seem to finish writing this without my tablet messing up. You make up a strong plate that bolts onto the old backing plate holes on the remnants of the old Henry J spindles and new bolt holes for the AMC stub. While you are at it, you might as well mount the AMC piece up higher to lower the car at the same time. Personally, I Wouldn't do this since AMC cars are orphans with parts made of unobtanium. As to which AMC cars? I think all of them are like this back to the drum brake era.

 

Why not use the original frame? missing? rust?

Check this out for disc brakes http://www.henryjcars.com/hjc40/Disk/diskbrakes.html

 

Back away from Facebook. What are you trying to accomplish? Stock with better brakes or hot rod . I have seen 215,300, and 455 Buicks,small block Chevys and GMC sixes in these with no mods to the firewall, had a Ford V6 and 283 in mine, as well as many engines with a cut and set back firewall. A 57 to 59 Ford rear end is a bolt in, and I can still find them for about 400 bucks, it may take a little looking. The Henry J cars web page can help with disc brakes, probably where the previously posted disc brake info came from. The S10 frame swap is like caviar, someone tried it, and convinced others to try it, and no one wants to admit it's wrong. It's a truck frame, and frowned upon here anyways. I have a Chrysler 413 in my stock frame. It is stubbed up front with a 53 Chevy front axle, and has a 57 Ranchero 9 inch . My stock 4 cylinder car stopped just fine on its original brakes. If I was to build one now on a stock ch***is, I would look at a 2.3 Ford, or a V6 combo, a Buick, Chevy or ford small block, dependant upon what was cheap or free. I have had 6 in the last 40 years, one coming to fruition, and lots of ideas on others, and time to contemplate how to do it easier, and or different.

 

I saw that but can't reach the guy by email.

 

"Stock with better brakes"
I think if I go with that axle i should take the front brake stuff for matching lug nut pattern& brakes from same donor car. Using the HJ spindle might come up with something like a that henryJcars.com article.??

 

I bet you couldn't guess what ch***is this one is on, I know it looks horrible and all wrong

 

Check out the Henry J cars website. http://www.henryjcars.com/hjc82/magoo/magoo.html. the Kaiser Frazer owners club may help as well. There is a bolt on rotor, but for the life of me I can't remember the stock application.

 

@Ron Pope made those brackets for me, maybe he still has the pattern, they worked but I thought the design would've been better as one piece instead of two.

 

The dimensions are there and details in his write up, looks simple enough....with that info and the experience here on HAMB.....you could have disc brakes in less than a weekend...

 

So what other rear axles will fit the Henry J? I want options. Do I look up the wheel base width to try and locate something ?

 

A 57 to 59 ford car or Ranchero 9 inch is the perfect width, and is a Direct bolt in to your springs . Look at the dimensions and look for similar width.. I had an 8.5 rear from a 65 mustang or a 62 Fairlane( I never asked my uncle before he p***ed). I do not know about any other options . An 8 3/4 from a 73 Mopar A body is narrow as well, with the correct bolt pattern for your stock wheels, however you need to check the width. There are 2 different driveshaft flanges for Henry Js, so driveshaft mods are going to be a must . Spring perches can be moved inexpensively .there are charts online with rear end widths that you can use to window shop. Wheelbase does not matter, you need track width measure your rear end from backing plate to backing plate, and center of spring to center of spring perch and use those dimensions.

 

Just curious, but this is just to upgrade the stock brakes?
You mentioned one wheel won’t turn on the rearend. If it’s not an internal issue, get the drum off and see what’s up. If the rearend is okay, why replace it?
I’m sure the links provided above would yield upgrades for the stock brakes.
It doesn’t seem you want to hotrod it, just make it safer to drive.

 

There are two 3/8" square adjusters on the backside of the backing plate. I rounded them trying to loosen the shoes. They didn't budge .A guy from Kaiser Fraiser site said get a drum puller and then I would need those parts replaced; if located ; as its obsolete parts discontinued in the early 1950's.. I'd rather put something under there that I can readily find parts for.

 

AMC from the 70s and 80s. Look like this. The rear I( used out of a Volvo 240 series is actually a Dana 30

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/374157552883
Like this?

 

Yup that is what I used.

It was a common 70s rodding trick. A LOT of Pacer front ends were used as well. I would not reccomend this even tho they worked well.

 

As far as a rear end width you want right at 58 inches, I used an early bronco.
I mentioned in your other thread on the same topic that my car had an S-10 rear in it when I bought it.

 

your right you did say that. I forgot. Still on the hunt...

 

This guy says "ford Ranger

There is a 98 Ford Ranger rear axle approximately 58"........might go look at it

 

How do ya know the stock brakes **** if the axle is stuck?

 

The factory front end was built by Ford. Compare to HenryJ