I have a 39 ford business coupe that I inherited from my dad when he passed away and I am trying to figure out what he has done to the chassis. I know that he "rebuilt" most of the chassis. The car is an X-drag racer. The first question that I have concerns the front axle. The current axle is a "tube" type axle. I thought the stock 39 axle was an I-Beam. Is this true and do I have an old superbell or other aftermarket axle? I am planning to use the straight axle front end and install disc brakes. It has a complete stock front brakes as is. Also, I would appericate any and all informational and chassis build info you guys can provide. I am also planning a sbc/auto or sbf/auto, air etc.
it's possible the axle is from a V8-60 car , it's also possible it's some aftermarket axle . is it dropped? building a safe hot rod chassis with a `35-`40 frame is very simple if the original fame hasn't been hacked. i'm not saying your father did , but in a lot of old drag cars things were done just to make room with no thought of ever driving it on the street. a torch seamed to be the most favorite tool. pictures would be a BIG help
I would get a few catologs from some companys that manufacture and sale frame and supension parts for 35-40 frames such as chassis enginering, pete and jakes , T. C. I. etc and get an idea of what needs to be done, there very illustrated, I have had good luck with their parts. And some times its best not to reinvent the wheel. Good luck I'm sure your Dad will be proud of you for finishing his 39.
It may be a V8-60 axle since dad bought a bunch of (parts) along the way. The axle shape is oval, larger in the center and tapering the smaller out at the ends. As for the drop, i am not sure how to determine what it is. Any help would be appericated. As for the X member it was hacked up pretty good but dad grafted/repaired it using doner pieces from another 39 chassis. He returned it to stock. I will have to modify it for the late model motor/trans. I already have a CE trans mount/wishbone splitting kit. I also have a gm steering box adapter, front and rear shock kit. He used a CE nova rearend kit and installed parallel leaf springs in the rear. My aim is to build a VERY driveable car that rides and handles well. I would like to retain the solid front axle and run a sb ford in his memory. The body will be stock in most every way. I will try to retain the stock guages if possible. He collected 2 sets of deluxe guages as well. A resto rod of sorts.
I started on a 39 Standard Coupe several years back, but ended up selling it this past year. I did a step-by-step story on the build which I had up on the web until recently. The files are still up so I am referring you to this link for the beginning: http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/1939ford-project.htm The tube axle was definitely used on many of the 60hp cars. My build may answer some of your questions. Anything beyond what you see is not available since I sold the car.
The tube axle was used on virtually ALL V8-60 staring in 1937 and used even through 1940. Your description indicates a stock Ford 37-40 V8-60 tubular axle which is a greta attribute for a roadster or open-wheeled car of any kind.
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