Thread: New Build-1946 Ford Tudor Build

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OK, My Mr. Blue T bucket has been on the road now for three years and I am ready for a new build. Pops purchased this 1946 Ford Tudor back in November of 2009 at the Turkey rod run with intentions of building a "driver" that could be driven in many different types of weather. As most of us know getting caught in a Florida downpour is no fun in an open roadster and the fact that I have not had any room to put the normal stuff in the car with us when we go to a show or a cruise (chairs, cooler, etc.)

Thanks to a stroke of luck, pops decided in December to part with his 46 Ford. It was a real fight as my brother Dan also wanted to get his hands on her. Thanks to winning an arm wrestling match with Dan I got the privledge of buying it from dad. She was last registered in South Dakota in 1964. (See the cool old pic of the Lic. Plate)

The car is beautiful and very rust free 1946 Ford Tudor Deluxe. All of the suspension was removed already when we got it so all of that work is already done for me there. I have already decided to run a parallel leaf rear suspension set up and a Mustang 2 front IFS set up. In fact I purchased a TCI parallel leaf set up for the rear from speedway the other day. It was delivered to my door for $623.00. Seemed like a good deal. It has every bolt and bracket included and it even includes new shocks. TCI claims it lowers the rear 4 inches which seems perfect. If I need it a bit lower I can add a 1 inch block on the back. Dad also threw in a Ford 8 inch rear end out of a 65 Ranchero so I may end up going with that rear end. I have been also kicking around putting a Ford 9 inch rear end in it in case the Ranchero rear end ends up being a bit narrow. Power has also been a toss up. I currently have a SBC, 291 Desoto Hemi and a 65 390 Ford FE engine kicking around the shop but I know a small block is a way to go for me and with my goal of having a dependable driver that is how this thing will be powered. My decision for power..........

A 1989 Mustang 5.0 Engine I picked up on Craigslist for $400 the other night. Thanks to Dans truck and both his and Dads help the engine was sitting in our shop (Thanks Guys!) Believe it or not the guy was transplanting it in a BMW!!! A full rebuild is in order.

The engine was complete from head to toe which is great in case I decide to use some of the Mustang creature comforts ( Power steering, AC, Etc) And has a few parts that I can sell to get some money back (Fuel injection, 7 qrt mustang oil pan, etc). I am going to back it up with a built C4 automatic (thought about an AOD too that dad has around the shop....HMMM). Well thats about it. What I have listed above is the only givens for the car and I am open to suggestions for the rest of the car from you all. I am leaning towards 50 Ford Wheels and Hubcaps OR Radirs with Wide Whites but nothing set in stone yet. Some Pics are attached. Let me know what you think. Thanks.
Don Jr. P.S. I think I am going to name this project "46 problems"

Some more Pics.........

Wow, looking at those pictures, I've changed my mind about selling it. Hope there are no hard feelings!

Nah, I wouldn't do that to you (you're bigger than me)

Don

Don,
Must be great to have two sons to enjoy this hobby with.

Jack.

Looks like it will be a nice ride Don, I guess when we go for a ride in it we can all go

Originally Posted by Jack F

Don,
Must be great to have two sons to enjoy this hobby with.

Jack.

It was a lot nicer before they got smarter than me. No, actually, it is very nice.

Don

Very cool project. I think your choice of a late model 5.0 will provide many trouble-free miles. Keep us posted on its progress.
Andy

46 problems? Hmmmmm, I think this is going to turn out like project 3000.

We had a nice go round on this car when Pops first got it and polled for ideas. You may want to reread that one for further inspiration if you're still open on styling direction.

I've always thought these immediate post war cars were great material though I've never owned one. They respond well to proper stance, so just for grins I'll post up the same car I did the last time we talked about this car to inspire you. Not too deep in the weeds, just a good friendly ride height.

Don never tell them every thing you know

Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

It was a lot nicer before they got smarter than me. No, actually, it is very nice.

Don

looking foward to watching this build. What a great body to start with!

I'm in on this ... I can say no more than GREAT START. I'm partial to the '46 ford anyway.

I'm surprised you didn't get the flattie & suspension parts from your Pops that I swung his way.

I understand the reliable factor so a late SBF would be a good choice.

Enjoy & I'll be watching.

Paul

Nice car you posted Uncle Bob, but as I'm still lost in the 50's the rear end needs to be a couple of inches higher at least.

Yes Don you have every right to be proud of your two boys for not only catching the rodding bug from you but both have the same outstanding workmanship ideals and skill that you have taught them. Applause now folks.
Don Jr. that is one very nice looking car and as the name you have given it is problems,I would suggest that you just pack up all the bitz N piececs and ship it to me. I was going to say something cheeky about not using a Chevy but will only say,I like the idea of the hemi with a cog box.
The photo that Uncle Bob posted is good but I still like them abit closer to the ground but that is just my opinion.

Very nice old sedan!!!! Thought the Plymouth I'm building now was in great condition, but I think yours is even nicer, Don.

Pops, Dont get any ideas on claiming her back! Although you still have not given me the title yet!

Jack F-Don't let pops fool you, he is still the brains of our operation around the shop. Everytime I think I know more he dazzles us with another bit of "stored" information. Trust me Dan and I are the lucky ones.

Yes I think the sedan is a great start too and I have been super exited daily about the car. I am super exited about being able to take a few friends along for the ride with this car (that interior is so big I think we all could go)

I was at the shop alone the other night just sitting there planning the car out in my head and sat in the front seat for a while imagining all the people that have been in there in the past and all of the history the car must have seen. Crazy to think about the things these cars had seen. Being the first cars produced after the war I can imagine a troop returning home to get his hands on a new Ford in 46. Too cool.

Yes the flathead and original drivetrain were tempting. I was just in the mood to do an updated suspension with improved handling and I am super partial to 5.0 Ford engines.

Bob, thanks for the pics. That is the direction I am going and I agree the stance is everything with these cars. Funny one of the wheel combinations I really like on these cars is the 46 dogdish style hubcaps and trim rings. If my T was not already running that look I would consider it still (I am running 47-48 hubcaps with ribbed trim rings) Still on the fence on wheels and tires to be sure, but there is time.

Whiplash-If shipping was not so expensive to your neck of the woods I would ship her over there Thanks for the comments

Dave S-I have not seen your Plymouth I don't think, would love to see it

REGS-Dad and I were commenting on how clean your coupe was the other day, just wow, thanks for the comments

Stovens-Thanks for tuning in and the great comments

Roadster 32- I needed a bigger car so I could fit myself into it (my doctor told me I have been gaining 2-3 pounds a year at my appointment the other day) Perhaps the slim fast diet????

Akrateffil- I think the 5.0 will be a good choice too. The Chevy was tempting too as I have one at the shop, but ultimately the 5.0 won me over.

Going to unpack the new rear suspension pieces this week and post some pictures of the new set up. We shall see if this parallel leaf set up is truely "bolt on" Nothing ever is right? Thanks again, Don Jr.