I just scored a Henry J to build a g***er. I was wondering if anyone knows what axle and springs they used in the old days, before speedway had a kit. Also, Anyone have an idea on a read that would fit? Early Bronco? I will probably have an early Pontiac cut down to fit but it never hurts to ask. Larry
Maverick rearends are pretty damn short, but finding a good v8 one is a *****. Plus i think there 8 inch,, Econoline front axles were pretty popular
There's a few Henry J g***ers pictured on g***ermadness.com which are set up with Ford Model A crossmembers / front axles. Carl Hagan
Larry, an early Pontiac rear may be period correct but getting parts may be difficult in this day and age. I hate to suggest a 9" Ford but they really are the easiest as there is so much out there for them. A Dana 60 is a little cheaper and again, lots of stuff from lots of vendors. Roo
I think an early Ford and transverse spring is your best bet, crossmember could be round or square tube or channel. Econoline or other parallel spring axles may have too wide a track for a Henry J, you could narrow one though, it was done that way also.
My Henry J in the sixties had a 40 Ford front axle and spring with split wishbones mounted 12' forward of the Henry J original wheelbase. Back then it was A gas, but now would be an altered or what ever fancy name they have now. Loved that car.
Thanks for the input....I am trying to figure out what to do....I have access to all those suggestions (econoline, 40 ford, model A). I know it would be easiest to run the Speedway kit but I keep thinking about what will look "right". The car will have either a early 389 or a 401 Nailhead. As far as the rears, my father wants me to run the early pontiac rear. I know I have access to a couple. I even have a pumpkin with 4:88's in it...totally unuseable but cool. I am super amped for the car. It has given me a push in getting some other **** on the road. After the push truck, either that or the 53 Bel Air will be next in line. Somehting tells me the Henry J will be an easier project. I want to keep it simple but also correct. Larry
Just for more info, my Henry J was Caddy powered with dual 4barrels, Chet Herbert roller, Lasalle Trans and Plymouth station wagon rear. Ford front extended12 inches and 6 inch slicks. At the starting line, rev to 6000, pop the clutch in second gear. The slicks broke loose and when the tach reached 6000 again, shift to third and it would hit 6000 again exactly in the lights. 1959 best time was 12.93@117 MPH I blew the engine racing the car's original owner who had moved on to a Willys 4dr. sedan, also Caddy Powered.
I think an early Ford axle is the best bet. I'll be running a '40 Ford axle with a transverse spring...mainly because I found one cheap and it will be easy to fab up a cross member and spring hanger. Make some mounts for the wishbone, use a Vega cross steer box and away you go. Juice brakes if you want to get fancy or no brakes for the REAL drag race look.
I looked at one a friend of mine had, all front sheetmetal was missing along with the engine, so I had a good look at it. Looked like paralell leafs and beam axle out of an 50's ford truck, I've seen alot of those, and I'm pretty sure thats what it was. The track didn't look too wide and there wasn't very much frame hacking for it to fit.
well i scored a 47 truck axel to use under my comet but it pairalel leaf witch i would prefer. why the transverse?
doesnt MAS fibergl*** have a drop axle set up that would work? i do remember that they had a tube axle with twin leaf springs. i think it was knuckle to knuckle so i guess youd have to find hubs and brakes and all, but it wasnt real bad expensive either.
I will have pics sometime soon. I haven't put it under the car yet. I'll have plenty of pictures and might do a tech article on it for good ole' Rodder's Digest.
One way that I've found to get a narrow rear cheap is a Dana 44 out of a Jeep CJ. I've used a couple of them thru the years. Bonus, many of them have early Ford bolt pattern.
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