Thread: 1946 Ford Coupe-

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Haven't even got it home yet- not even sure what's been done but already planning changes- I do know it has a GM V-8/Monza bellhousing/Ford 9" rear-
parallel leaf springs- a Chassic Engineering kit- driven 22,000 miles with these changes that were done 18 years ago- one repaint- lots of scars and patina- stainless good- chrome poor- converted to 12 volts- front end rebuilt- dual exhaust-

Kool Koop,,it looks and sounds like all it needs is to get a bit closer to the ground...and drive the wheels off it.

Great looking coupe Bubba, what are the plans for the build?

Right now the plan is to get get it home- picking it up March 18th- will check it out then- may just play this Summer while driving it- clean it up- I have done a 1939 Ford in my past- it was off the road more than on in my 24 years of ownership- I have more money now/ more time as well and also hope to plan the downtimes better- we may leave the exterior alone with just touch ups for now- but the interior needs attention- only time will tell where we're heading-

The exterior looks period perfect to me. The interior - well......a little TLC and a trip to the upholsterers along with some paint will fix that. But, I wouldn't do much now except to do the seats with a new Indian/Mexican blanket.

I would, twere mine, drive it this summer (too late this year to start major changes) with a note book and write down a "plan of attack" for next fall and winter

I agree..............mostly. I've been a fan of these immediate post war Fords for a long time though I've never owned one. The idea of driving and improving is a great way to enjoy a car from both the mechanical and social aspects.

Depending on your budget, skills and ideas an altitude adjustment and interior improvement are both projects that can be done in reasonably short periods of time while not terminally disabling the car. The biggest challenge in putting in a dropped axle and reverse eye spring is driving out the perch pins. Need a 40 ton press (and maybe some heat) if it's not been done since new. If you want to brave it, interior kits are available for you to install. LeBaron-Bonney makes a very fine stock replacement kit, and they now own EZ-Boy so can supply a hot rod style package as well. Some underhood detailing and that sbc will look sweeter too. Neat car.....

Very cool car! If it were mine, I would drive the wheels off and do weekend projects on it.
Andy

Car looks great!

I agree, if it runs and drives and is reliable why not drive it as is with a few improvements along the way that keeps her on the road. Will be watching as I am building my 46 Tudor sedan too. Best of luck with her.
Don Jr.

Brought it home today- drove 250 trouble free miles in 3 1/2 hours- bias plies made for interesting drive until I got used to it- pretty soon I was crusing along at 70 + mph just like everyone else- I'll try to post some trip home photos tomorrow-
I did sneak a peek under the mats and the floor seems solid- I was told it was a rust free car and it seems to be for the most part- I bought it in WI but the car is from IA- interior looks worse than it smells- just a musty old car smell- Manual steering and manual drum brakes a lot different than modern era cars but both got the job done- some changes may be made but not right away- I'll drive it this Spring and Summer and have a note pad handy to make notes- already made one-
1. needs door weather strip-

Great that you got her home Looking forward to the pics!

I think something is wrong with me because I like that "musty old car smell"

Awesome find. Don Jr.

Pick up site- dealer I bought from- he's the tall one-



On the road home- cruising along at 70 plus mph-

In the garage with the Vettes- only Ford I own- I dropped my water bottle-


Checked it all over- only rust I've found-


Any one know what this is- ever saw anything like it-


Made it home safe and sound- this morning I noticed I have a leaking rear wheel cylinder- that'll be my first fix- give me a chance to check all the brakes-

I have a 46, if you want an easy seat change Mark VIII seats will fit right in, the back seats you just unhook the back take it out, take the bottom out, set a 2X4 on its side across hump, level screw to stock board, the back you just hang on the 46 hangers fits right in. The front you have to make some risers to lift the seats a little drill holes so you can mount to stock holes and then just drill holes for inside by hump.

Bob

Check the center bolt on those springs - it might be as simple as changing the springs side for side. You do have to make sure that the drive shaft has enough yoke as well to fit the transmission correctly.

Originally Posted by IC2

Check the center bolt on those springs - it might be as simple as changing the springs side for side. You do have to make sure that the drive shaft has enough yoke as well to fit the transmission correctly.

Thanks! That was going to be the first thing I checked- I hung a rear years ago and the spring was centered 24 " from each end- like you say- this one may have been installed reversed by past owner when he did the conversion- remembering seeing years ago how someone had made that honest mistake-

Another thought on the rear end shift, if you want to lower it some (prevents nose bleeds), you could make up lowering blocks with offset locator hole and pin to shift the axle without changing the springs around (if that would make a difference). On the yoke, if it's correct now, you may end up shortening the shaft or the yoke depending.