Projects My new project '40 Ford coupe (60's style)

Little more progress but its a big step towards completion. Motor and trans are in the chassis. I couldn't find much information about the Tremec 5 speed into a '40 so I'll post a few pictures of what it took to fit it with the CE split bones and X member kit. The upper portion of the CE loop had to be notched back as well as the bottom plate. I ordered my bottom plate without trans mounts and just drilled for the trans mount which was further rearward than the TH350 would have been. The shifter location may vary too. I'm going to run 65 Mustang bucket seats. For a bench seat the shifter location may be moved forward.

 

Man Mike, you sure do nice work. I'll be anxious to hear how that Tremec works for you. I'm not super confident with the T5 in my truck. First sign of trouble and I'm taking the plunge.


Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!

 

Thanks Lee, I don't think I have the patience you do for the little details. I bet that T5 will hold up pretty well. I've seen them take some pretty good abuse. Although I did break one once. Pretty much it will probably treat you as well as you treat it.

 

Looks good Russco, I'd like to see where the shifter is in relationship to the seats. It looks like even if you buy the kit to move the shifter further forward you would still have to trim the top cross member support due to the casting and plate on top of the trans.
I really need to get working on my 40's too damn many projects not enough time nor cash!
I installed a Richmond 6 speed in my 66 El Camino and the shifter is 2 1/2 inches further back from the stock 4 speed location, don't think that will work plus that puppy is quite large.
Keep those updates coming!

 

Went to my buddy Brad's to check on the bodywork progress. Its ahead of schedule and looking pretty nice. Its ready for a coat of Slicksand a final sand and Prime for paint. I also got the hydraulic slave mounted for the clutch and am running brake lines now. I am using the Nickel/Copper alloy line man that stuff is nice to work with.

 

damn that thing is clean looking!

 

Finally some more progress. Got the exhaust done back to the mufflers. Drive shaft done and installed. Plug wires and distributor installed. I had to use ceramic wires due to the Sanderson's headers being way to close to the #6 plug boot. I don't understand why they didn't run the header tubes out farther like on the drivers side to avoid this? Pre lubed the engine to make sure I had good oil pressure and flow to all 8 rockers. That was good, 50 PSI with 5-30 oil. I'm almost ready to fire the engine now. And the biggie I've been waiting a long time for. The body is now painted! It will have shiny clear on it but the satin look in the pics made me think twice about flat clear.

 

Got it cleared and brought it home today. Now I should be able to really get moving on it. I'm glad I went with the shiny clear, the satin looked good too but in the long run I think going with the shiny is the right choice for me.

 

I sure like the color, what color is it?

 

That color looks awesome..... one of you guys must have a time machine though. Dates in your posts are 1969 and 1970 I guess that's fitting for your 60's vibe lol. Keep up the good work you have made a super clean looking car even cleaner if that's possible

Edit: And now the date are right maybe I'm just insane carry on lol

Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!

 

Great project. Love the color. Can't wait to see more....
Congrats!!

 

It's called Surf Blue Pearl, it's a Mopar/Jeep color and this is a lighter variant of the code PQD in the Lesonal product line. It's also what they are calling B5 blue on the new Challengers but it's not the same as the original B5 color.

 

I love that color, super clean looking car so far.

kinda like the SWC color...great job

 

Love the color. I'm using a Richmond 5 speed/Hurst shifter in my 40 and had to do a similar mod to the X pieces. It worked out well, and the shift lever clears the stock bench seat easily. I did make a new shifter mounting plate that moved the shifter forward about 3/4". One of our club members has a 40 with an FE and a tremec and the shifter location is no problem.

 

Thanks Joel, that's good to know on the shifter location, I haven't had the body back on with the trans in I assumed I would have to trim a small notch in the floor where the removable panel is anyways.

 

Hay-yal yes! Great color and the right shininess!

 

This is going to be a beautiful car Mike. That color is perfect!


Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!

 

Did the home made Lizard skin thing. 3M Micro spheres from Aircraft/Spruce supply and high quality exterior latex based paint mixed 1 to 1 and applied with 3/4" nap roller. I put 2 heavy coats on trying to get at least .050 thickness ( I didn't want to spray it but you can with an undercoating gun). I did the entire interior area roof included.

I also got the body set back on the chassis today Its starting to look like a car again. I wish I had some idea of just how low its going to set though it seems a little high to me. I want it to be pretty low.

 

Russco I just went back aways on your thread and did not see your tire and wheel sizes mentioned. I am building a 40 coupe with dropped axle and reversed springs like yours and will need to make my tire and wheel choices soon. Could you post your choices for me?

 

Its been a while since I bought the wheels and tires. I think the wheels are 15x5 on front and 15x7 on rear the rear tires are L78 15 Coker classics and the fronts are 5.60x15's

 

Thank you! Have you used this combination on your other 40 projects?

 

This is the first 40 coupe I've done. But the rear tire size seems to be pretty common as are the radial equivalent 235/75/R15. I searched and read all the '40 coupe build threads and info there are a few guys on here that have them down to a science.

 

Thanks Russco, I have plenty of room for the rear tires since I made some small wheel tubs in the rear wheel wells. I am more concerned with the fronts since I am using the 40 dropped axle with GM disc brake set up. Thanks again for taking the time to respond. Your car is looking great. I really like the blue.

 

Way cool color! Of course I'm a little biased...


---
Posted from my steam-powered tablet...using the best Android app out there!

 

I am updating my 40 standard coupe about the same running gear (dropped axle, reversed eye spring CE rear leafs) except Turbo350 I would suggest adding the CE front & rear sway bars as they really help keep the body roll/sway to a minimum. I had them on my '41 Ford pickup and loved the handling. I am planning on adding them to the '40 coupe before this summer. A good investment, easily installed

 

Russco, where is Central IL for you? I'm just west of Champaign.

 

Way cool Mike---keep me posted--let me know when pts arrive

 

Fired the motor for the first time today. I wanted to make sure there were no problems with it before I went any further. I never got to run it on a dyno or anything so I wanted to make sure everything seemed good while I could still access it easily. I "eyeballed" the initial timing to about 8* advanced and low and behold it didn't crank about 1/2 a revolution before it lit. It sounded good and no problems that I could see.

 

Your "recipe" sure suits me--