32 ford

Greetings

Seeking information to help plan a very basic 32 roadster.

Looking to find out the correct drive shaft length for a 32 Ford with a 40 Ford rear end and early Ford transmission using 32 rear transmission mount.

I would like to center the 40 axle in the stock location on the original frame. I ***ume there may be a length problem as the 40 spring hangers are longer than the 32 however the 40 has a straight spring rather than the curved 32 rear spring and cross member. I remember grinding a 35/36 rear spring to fit a 32 cross member years ago.

I guess simply, what is the distance difference, if any, between the center spring bolt on the respective rear springs when mounted on the 40 and 32 rear ends? Knowing this, I should be able to determine if it is a proper exchange.

I vaguely remember some one making shackles that were offset about 3/4 inch to accomodate such a swap. What about using a front spring that is narrower to compensate for the curved rear 32 cross member using straight speing?

In the event it is a problem using the original 32 rear cross member, I may have wish to invest in a new pair of rails rather than modify a good original frame.

I have a 33/34 drive shaft i could cut to length but I have a lead on a cut 40 driveshaft and tube.

I would appreciate any information in this regard.

Jack

 

A lot of guys use a 40 front spring, Unpack it and do some grinding to get it to fit in the curved spring pocket of the 32' rear cross member. When the wheels are centered in the wheel wells,.... I can't remember exactly,.. But I beleive it's 8-11/16" that the torque tube needs to be shortened,... It's been covered here before, as well as in Vern Tardel's book "How to build a Traditional Ford Hot Rod"

The above process is what was done on this years ago (back in the day)