The time has come to talk you about my new project. I've been thinking about a sedan for a while now, since my other hot rods only have two seats, and the desire to combine "hot rod" and "family" is growing stronger... Recently, I had the opportunity to buy a 34 Tudor. The car is in really good condition, with only three owners, and is completely original. It's worth noting that here in France, this model is extremely rare! This one is a French-made model, which makes it even better! After managing to free up some space in the garage, I brought it home last weekend. With a few exceptions (the Marchal headlights, which are specific to models made in France, and the speedometer), the car is complete and in excellent condition. The engine hasn't started for about ten years; the seller mentioned ignition problems. The initial goal is to ***ess the current mechanical condition and get it running again. The second objective is to improve its appearance (lowering, wheels/tires), and finally, a little later, to install a French 4.2L flathead engine coupled to a Volvo gearbox to make it a bit more "modern". Here are some pictures when I brought it home. I will soon post some updates
I got the same -more or less. My 34 Tudor came from Argentine, has still RH steering. I converted it to a 4,2 french flathead, fitted a 5 speed SsangYong gearbox and added a blower last year. Replaced the flimsy original drums with 11" F100 drums and fitted a brake booster. Lowered it with a dropped axle front and fitted a Chevy S10 rear axle, converted to the 34 springs with a couple leaves less. It already had 35 spoked wheels but I replaced them with some 16" aftermarket spoked wheels with wider rims. This car is lots of fun, you will not regret it one minute.
Thank you guys for your comments I believe it's the first time I ear about a SsangYong trans on a flathead engine! I saw that you are from Germany and then you know that we don't have the same kind of possibilities to find "known" parts here in Europe. I am a bit curious about your setup if you have some do***entation Somewhere I am also curious about your tires combo
I took a few hours to work on the car. After a global check, it looks like it as received some good maintenance before it has been stopped as many parts look quite new. The carb (stromberg 22.2) has been overhauled, I will later open the brakes but they look very nice, the spark plus are brand new, etc... The original distributor didn't look bad so far but in a fist time I decided I will not loose too much time in this direction as the previous owner told me about ignition problems... As my 29 roadster has some trans issues, I can take some parts on it, it is already stuck in the workshop... So I started by removing the stromberg distributor with coil and wires, to put on the 34. Filled the carb, made a fast wiring to connect the ignition system and managed to engage the starter... I had never though it could fire up so fast ! I think you guys know how that moment could be satisfying, even if we all know that is only the begening of the adventure...
Once the engine started, I was eager to learn more... so I reinstalled the radiator, the belt for the water pumps, rigged up a temporary fuel tank, and tweaked a few things to get it running longer and warming up. I'll spare you the details, you all know them! Once I'd checked a few things, I wanted to move it under its own power, but it was impossible to do it "safely" with its tires. So I went back to my roadster, which kindly lent me its wheels... A few modifications later so the battery and fuel could move with the vehicle, and off we went! A few rather conclusive tests: the engine runs really well, and the brakes... well, they're doing their best to slow the car down as much as they can... Well, we finally went for a "familly ride" and made a tour of the neighborhood this morning !
I believe it's the first time I eat about a SsangYong trans on a flathead engine! I saw that you are from Germany and then you know that we don't have the same kind of possibilities to find "known" parts here in Europe. I am a bit curious about your setup if you have some do***entation Somewhere I am also curious about your tires combo Here is what you want to know about that transmission that I use. Its from a Ssang Yong Musso (I think) with a Diesel engine - an exact copy of the well known 2,7 ltr 5 cylinder Mercedes Benz engine. Ssang Yong copies that engine but uses a different gearbox. They chose the BW T5 box, now produced by Tremec, to handle the 4 WD. The Chevy S10 tail replaces the end housing on the Tremec - only difference is the splines on the input and output shafts. I used a Ssang Yong Diaphragm clutch on my normaly aspirated flathead but once the blower was fitted I changed to an 11" french clutch where I transplanted the internal splines of the friction plate. The output splines can be found in the carbon fiber driveshaft of a Nissan RX7 so I built a driveshaft using that part. Tires are front 6.00 x 16" on a 6" wide rim and rear 7.00 x 16" on a 7" wide rim. If you need pics, let me know.
I love it! Kudos to you guys hot rodding in Europe! That's gotta be so much more difficult than doing it in the US! Both of your sedans look really solid! Keep the updates coming... 3blap.
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