I happen to see an article where a rodder was using a 51 flathead with a 39 tranny like me but had a 40 rear instead of the 32 I am running. I had heard that the rear on the 40 would have to be shortened. What is involved in that ? can some one there tell me what is involved and who can do the work say the the Connecticut area ? Thanks Tom
I assume you already have the hydraulic brakes. What is the reason for switching the 32 rear for a 40 rear?
If you have an early 32 rear, it has a pinion without a bearing on the snout. If you have a later 32 it has a bearing. A 40 rear is no better than the late 32 rear. No reason to swap.
My '32 Roadster was a banger with the unsupported pinion. I found a '40 rear axle with a Zephyr Columbia that has the speedometer drive off the right side axel. Other than notching the rear spring to fit the crossmember and having the torque tube and drive shaft shortened it was an easy upgrade. I had a set of early artillery wheels and had the rears widened 2" on the inside. The later Ford axles are wider and by changing the wheel width the rear tires are closer to the body. Unfortunately the fellow who assembled my Columbia has passed but there are others who do the driveshaft torque tube mods.
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