Projects 36 coupe upgrades

Time to make the 36 a little more road trip friendly. Before the purists start complaining about this let me say that I loved driving this car with the Zeypher geared 39 box and banjo rear and it still seems to all work perfect but every time i set out on a road trip I find myself wondering what kind of problems I might run into before or if I make it back. Especially driving to racing at and driving home from the HAMB drags. How much abuse can 75 year old parts take? So enlisting the help of my friend Dave (RoadBurner1) who wants all the 39 stuff to build a T hotrod (which made for a perfect trade) and my Pal Gary at Cornhusker Rod&Custom with parts suggestions and direction we got started.
Replacing the 39 gear box with T-5 5 speed box and short throw Hurst shifter (With long cl***ic looking shift handle). Also removed and replaced the 39 banjo and torque tube with an all new Johns 4.11 geared big bearing,31 spline 9" rear end and new brakes (so impressed with Johns quality and complete ***embled brakes ready to bolt on..So Nice) Pete and Jakes ladder bars and new dual resevoir master cylinder.
To retain the 39 pedal set up we left the SBC to 39 box adapter and added a early ford to chevy trans adapter on back of it. then the new T5. Everything so far has seemed to go together pretty good with some fabrication needed. (split wishbones and remove part of 36 X member to add new trans mount) a new clutch/pressure plate and pilot bearing also required and new driveshaft.
Still waiting on a few parts to finish it up but really happy with the progress so far. Also planning on a new exhaust front to back.
Other than the improvements this should make to driving the car, there will be no obvious changes to its overall appearance and there are no plans TO EVER change the great natural patina this car has. Please don't ask when or what color Im going to paint it. This car is DONE!

 

looking good.

 

nice work , i think that will be a great improvement

taking that stock crossmember saddle out with the body on is a pain , isn't it? done that a few times

 

Patina. Like the burn marks on that one hood side.

 

Very cool coupe.. I think your updates will make it much more enjoyable to drive and it sounds like that's what you like to do.. Did I say, cool coupe???

 

only making it better.

 

"this car is done"

yeah right

 

Damn,I love that car!

 

Nothing says hotrod like a little burn

 

HaHaHa...Well its real close

Thanks !!!

 

I love that car. With these updates I hope to see it on the road more. I also love that kept the rear spring, means a lot

 

I was going to ask how difficult that was, have throught about doing it but it seems like a pain....

 

Reminds me alot of my 35. Get it to where you can drive it and leave the rest alone.

 

36's came after the 35's. look it up.

 

Nice man,you know i'm not gonna give ya **** about the t5. 90-95 down the road hell ya

 

I knew you'd get it Rob. Its cause of friends like you, JHO and Malcolm that this had to be done. Got tired of falling behind and not being able to catch up

 

A great upgrade, Gary. I plan to use my T-5 in my 34 coupe project. I believe if rodders back in the 40's-50's would have had access to cheap, easy overdrives in their old fords, they'd have used them. Also, they didn't have the straight, modern, wide highways we drive on these days. 45-55 mph roads of the 40's-50's didn't require anything more than 3.78 gearing with a non-O.D. transmission.
We're blowing down the interstates at 70-75 in our 70-80 year old fords just to keep from getting run over in today's traffic.

 

Great improvements... and cool to have Davey working on it, too. I love that car.


When are you doing a Mustang II up front?


Malcolm

 

Quit it

 

You are sure smart!

 

Grinder, cut off wheel, torch, drill.....and a squirt bottle of water

 

And when was the last time he posted

 

Hey now....it hasn't been that long has it? See ya at the Rev show wednesday???

 

Dave fab'd up a whole new floor tunnel cover. E-brake and shifter in. Just finishing up some new dual reservoir master cylinder stuff and its about done. Gary

 

Nice tunnel!

 

Great idea on the eBrake mounting bracket

 

i think he said something about corvette stuff..
glad to see this getting done gary.

 

Geeeeeze you drive a hotrod your whole life, take a Vette out one time and...
HaHaHa good to hear from you anyway. Thanks

 

im just a jelious ***hole. both cars are beautiful, as everything you build.

 

Aaaaaannnd its back on the ground. Gary