What year was the ford tube axle on?

Yes the Super bell has a distinctive weld unless it was ground off. I thought I saw a weld.



This is the black roadster I was thinking of. Not a good picture of the axle though.

 

Tommy- I think that's the Frank Mack T?

 

Since the post has gone this long, I would like to hear some opinions about the rule of no wishbones, hairpins on a tube. I run hairpins on my tube and feel that as long as I dont try to climb a curb, I'll be ok. Ford broke that rule years ago as it seems.

Hey Trent, hope all is well. Been busy as the normal excuse . Paul, I'll call you tonight. Had an emergency call to acid multiple hand prints off the car today while it's at a show. I need a sign," don't touch my fucking car".

 

I agree that it is safe in a hairpin / wishbone setup. If you don't split the bones, I would think that would compound the issue of side to side flex. Splitting the bones would actually be better I think.

 

Muttley's 39 does not have a Super bell axle it is an original aftermarket from the day. Guaranteed.

 

hi jimmy,
600 is on the cheap side for that setup, but if the guy will take it then.......,

spindles= $100, brakes w/ buick drums= $400? if in good shape, wishbone= $75-100, spring= $30-50 so he'd be getting the axle for free at that price, and the bare v8-60 axles seem to sell for 350-700. i've got just an axle sitting here that is nickle plated and has some scratches but i've turned down 600 for just the axle, but i've got plans for it and don't want to have to try and find another one as nice as the one i have.

mordrop or someone else did drop the origional v8-60 axles, i've only seen one, and that's under the front of dave simards 37 woody. i took a good look at it when he was out here a couple weeks back and whoever did the drop did a really nice job, it's only about 2" but it flows really well and the tube just kinda narrows a bit where it was dropped. the suspension on the car hasn't been touched for probably 50 years so it's been in there for awhile, wish i had taken a picture of it now.




ps. jimmy the machine shop down the street from you hooked me up on the axles for my quickchange today, i've been running around like a chicken with it's head cut off for the last two days trying to find someone with a lathe long enough to cut them for me. my car should finally be a roller again by the end of the weekend.

 

Justin. Sorry I had to bail like that today, I had to go and fix the rpu at the fair and I was not happy. I am glad that worked out for you. That shop does alot of work for us 'cause I can't beat the price. The front axle assembly I think is fairly priced. You should come down tomorrow and see this thing. I have never in my life seen such an abomination of parts cobbling. I am not kidding here. The frame is not even recognizable as a model a. Sad.

Could you imagine setting one wishbone 1 inch on the inside of the frame, and the other 2 inches outside the frame ? This is the rear point side to side. Yeah.....................

 

Here is a pic that shows a Ford tube axle. An early tube axle with dropped ends is probably a Bell axle. Did they put their ends on the Ford Axle to make a Bell tube axle or fab the whole thing? here is a beautiful Bell axle hanging on the wall at Limeworks, it has I beam middle and dropped tube ends.

 

Here is a picture of the axle on my 37.
It definitely has welded ends. SuperBell??

 

bttt

 

My coworker has decided to pass on the axle set up. If anyone is interested in it give me a pm. I have no interest in it and I would like to see another hamber use it, not e-bay it. I will need a price from you, (and don't insult me) to give to the owner and see if he will accept it.............

 

Here's a picture of the rare Bell/cragar aftermarket tube axle of the early fifties;note that the ends are made flattened to look like a filled axle.

 

"agree that it is safe in a hairpin / wishbone setup. If you don't split the bones, I would think that would compound the issue of side to side flex. Splitting the bones would actually be better I think."

I'd take issue with that...stock, the parts form a rigid triangle, not needing or able to flex--it is hung at 3 popints, spring ends and ball, and is frr to pivot or move up and down symetrically as needed as a rigid unit. Any split forces some degree of flex in any deflection that is not symmetrical, forcing something in the assembly to flex or twist. And the resulting basically rectangular shape with non-rigid joints to boot is inherently much less rigid than a triangle, especially since the triangle has no moveable joints.
Splitting was oft necessary for clearance. Some claim a benefit in anti-roll, but since in effect the whole car is being put under twist, with whatever part is weakest doing the actual deflection, the anti-roll effect is untuneable and probably not the same under different conditions...if you need anti-roll, lower the thing and consider a separate anti-roll bar that acts in a controllable manner.