39 Ford Deluxe...what kind of front suspension...I-beam methinks... Same car...rear axle...still a banjo? If so...how tough are they? Same car...Haven't seen an exhuberant amounts of these big gals runnin' around...is it because they aren't very popular, or because they cost too much, or because they all fell into a black hole and can't be found? 64 F-100...292 Y-Block...do adapters for C6 and C4 trans' exist? Thanks fellas...you all are always so good at this... Love, Tommy
I'm probably older but probably no wiser..... '39-'40 Fords are ugly pieces of shit and nobody likes them. NOT! You weren't serious with that question, were you?
I assume you have the car and want to know what to do with it. First, decide what you will be doing with it. Will it be a long distance cruiser with the family or will it be a local "beater". Do you want a modern suspension or would you like to go more toward original. These questions must be answered before you start. Map out your entire car on paper BEFORE you start. Stick with the plan. Research and homework...saves money, time and heartaches.
Well, I'm kinda wrappin up my current cruizer...and wanna set about my next one. I'm lovin them hump back fords a ton...and haven't seen any real mean ones anywhere. I'm thinkin straight front axle (not all jacked up), hopped up Flatty, a real basic hotrod. I wanna aim it at early gasser years without being cliche'. Something mid to late 50's era. I'm a flathead guy all the way, but I'm thinkin by that time period, they were starting to be scarce at the strip with the real mean gassers cuz of the power OHV motors were equipped with. Bare minimum of equipment...Nice clean body, kinda low, no interior, just two seats, maybe a cage...? I'm doing the research now, thats why I use the HAMB, you guys are my bible...Never have steared me wrong...
I'm fixin' to start building the Flathead that'll go in'er...I want it to be tough, without being unstable (any suggestions?) I see lotsa aftermarket stuff out there, and I have NO experience with the temperments of an 8BA. Like for instance, can it make power with the stock crank, or should I save all my returnables to get the 4"? How much compression should I aim for without really stressin the motor out? I'm trying to keep it mid-late 50's tech too... And when I say power, it's relative...I know it's not gonna make tons...And I dont have the chedder for a blower for sure...eek, those things are whittled outta gold methinks... And just outta curiousity...if anyone knows (I'll prolly be buggin the geezer down the road a the local rod shop) what was a "fast time" in say, 55'?
One I'm finishing. Running a mild 59AB, stock tranny and rear end, dropped ft axle. Just added big-n-little bias ply WW since the pics. Tons of fun for around town crusin, I'd do it different if I planned to take it on a lot of long trips or go fast (what was considered fast in the 50's is slow today, least for street cars) so it depends on what your plans are for using it once it's done on how you should build it.
Actually they are not very big cars at all. Always been popular, crossleaf on both ends, beam axle up front and should be a banjo on the other end. They won't hold up to monster tires and high zoot mill but for the average rollin arouind motor you should be all right. The Y bolck yess there are adapters for a later tranny. Advance adapters and trans dapt come to mind but there are probably a ton of other companies out there also and you should be able to find someone to hook you up right here on the HAMB. Start with vaphead if he can't hook you up he'll know someone who can.
The only car I ever regretted selling was my 40' standard. 53 flathead with a 49 ford truck bellhousing attached to a stock tranny. I ran 14's on the front and 15's on the rear. The car was a blast to drive. I paid $250.00 for it in 1970. Now, I've seen dashes with no gauges asking the same price. Second gear died and I needed cash so I sold it. To me, 39 & 40 Fords are next to 32 -34 Fords in looks. Keep it. Joe
I found one on ebay...it didn't sell, but the current bid was $420. It hadn't reached the reserve. Gaaawwwwwwwwddddddddammmmmmittttttt! My wife isn't budging on letting me get it...It's killing me, I can envision the whole car finished in my head. I went years workin on my bike when I had it, going to bike/car shows tellin' everyone about my project. And it sucked! Same with my lil' shoebox. Now that the car is done, I couldn't go back to having nothing to drive and working on something. I wanna spend a couple years putting togeather my vision, doing it right! But, either I sell my current ride (that ain't gonna happen) to make room in the garage for the new one...or I lie cheat and steal and hide it at a buddies house...but how do you explain that one when it's done? I need to be put on suicide watch...sorry for the gripin' guys, but I gotta tell someone...and I'm sure a few of you have gone through this...AAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
hey greazzy where are ya living i know of a 40 hump back sitting next to a shed real close just down the road