Lots of newbie questions re 40 Ford coupe

The S10 rear end is way to narrow wms to wms---a 57 Ford 9" is just right and will hold anything you drop in the engine bay. I'm a Ford in a Ford guy, but I don't limit it to flatheads---way too expensive to build and not enough HP. Build it to your own taste--listen to no one else, including me. My original car was a 40 Ford coupe--the tudor is my 5th 40 and I haven't been lucky enuf to find a coupe since I blew the flattie in 1959--you are real fortunate. Rave on.

 

I drove mine to Austin and back last year with the flathead that came in it when I got it with no trouble 9 hours each way. Stock type suspension with drop axle and reverse eye springs front and rear and the 378 gears in the banjo. Best road trip of my life! This year when I go it will have 354 gears and a hopped up 50 Merc flathead. Thought about changing to a SBC but came to my senses and kept it Ford. I have a 36 SD and ic came with Mustang II and I am sticking with it after going back and forth on it cause I found a driving chassis with MII Corvette rear and a SBC that was way too cheap.
Do what works best for you but being new on here, watch what you post. This is a traditional Hot rod and Custom site !

 

My hats off to anyone using the flathead, but when I was a kid, EVERYBODY, was sticking small blocks in their cars. One little trick I used was to cut the top off one of those caps that you use on oxygen or Acetylene bottles and use it for the dimple for the fuel pump. Just enough roundness to clear and looks cool.

 

if you can spring for the bucks do it right with the chassie engineering MII and 57-59 9inch ford rear end kit.Piece of cake to install right on the money.Took me and a friend 5 hours to do the front and rear on my 36 and probably could have done it in less time but we checked and double checked every thing.I have had em both and there is nothin wrong with a Axle but there is no comparision in my opinion.My 40 had one in it with power rack and it was a true joy to drive on long trips at 70 75 mph and I want the same ride outta my 36 What I like about the chassie front is the factory style strut instead of the xtra wide lower control arm and able to use stock control arms

 

I was interested, so had a look. Here it is pasted from another post. Very cool install, looks OEM

I use the front springs and hangers out of the 48-54 Chevy pickups. I have put this set up in three different 40's now and works well. I do remove a couple leaves to soften the springs for the rear. Or you can buy the Chassis Engineering kit for around $550.
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That's a nice ride....love it..

 

I COULDNT AGREE WITH YOU MORE ! IT SEEMS ALMOST EVERYONE IS PETRIFIED OF AN ORIGINAL I BEAM AXLE AND OBSESSED WITH RIPPIN THE AXLE OUT AND CRAMMING A IFS UNDER THESE CARS. IVE DRIVEN BOTH AND QUITE FRANKLY DONT SEE ANY BIG REASON TO FLUSH ALOT OF MONEY DOWN THE TOILET WHEN A PERFECTLY GOOD FRONT END IS ALREADY THERE. YOU REALLY CANT IMPROVE THE ORIGINAL STANCE OF A 40 FORD COUPE IN MY OPINION OTHER THAN TAKEN IT DOWN ALITTLE. POOL TABLE CARS ARENT MY THING. TRY GETTIN A FLOOR JACK UNDER ONE OF EM THEN IMAGINE YOURSELF NEEDIN TO GET THE FRONT UP ON THE ROAD THAT SHOULD DO IT. ALSO I DONT GET ALL THE HACKED UP FIREWALLS EITHER. WE RE DROPPIN A 390 CAD IN OURS AND IT FITS JUST FINE.

 

I know this is an old thread but since it popped up today, I'll just add that mine rides wonderfully, dropped axle, unsplit wishbone, parallel leafs in back, 9" Ford. The missus loves riding in it. Handles and steers great, stock box. Just sayin'.