1940 Ford Tudor Build Thread

[randyr]

I'm really thinking about shaving the trunk handle and moving the license plate to the tail pan and recessing it in there. Does any one have any good recommendations on a trunk latch kit for that? I plan on removing the trailer hitch, bumper, and trying to get the car a little lower if possible in the rear. (Maybe)

I need to find a nice 5-6" set back fire wall. What is a good one to get? There seem to be a lot out there. Does anyone have a preference for a good one? I'm mainly curious which ones either suck to install, don't fit well, or just are crap in general. any input would be greatly appreciated.

As for the firewall with 5" setback, I got mine from Direct Sheetmetal in San Diego.dslogobg I also got their floorboard kit back to the back seat riser. Bob Drake Bob Drake Reproductions, Inc. Street Rod & Original Ford Parts sells a firewall and so does Bitchin Products thru several streetrod vendors. I'm pretty happy with the way mine turned out.

This is fitting the firewall...
new_firewall_2_1.JPG

Here it is after I did the welding...
firewall_ext_welded_1_7_1_1.JPG

Here's the engine clearance with a Ford 302...
engine w T5 2_1_1.JPG



engine_fitting_1_3_1_1.JPG

Here's a shot of the new floors....
new floor treated 3_1.JPG

[40FordDeluxe]

Ok, that is awesome! Thanks for the pics. That looks like the route I need to go with!

[40FordDeluxe]

This morning I got the torque converter off of the 354. That was real fun, not! Then I put the engine plate from the 354 on the 46RH just to see what it would look like. It doesn't really look close enough to me. I guess an adapter is in my future.

[Mike P]

What did the transmission come out of? It looks like it has the right 318/360 Bellhousing. You will still need the adaptor. I don't know if anybody has them besides Hot Heads has them but that is the one I'm going to be using on my 37.

Early Chrysler Hemi, Hemi Transmission Adapters, Torqueflite

[40FordDeluxe]

It came out of a 1995 1500 2 wheel drive ram with a 360. It seems the only 46RH's were used behind 360's. The 318's had A500's. It was a pain to find it. I see a guy on ebay, Tom Waters, is selling adapters too. He quoted me an adapter with a SFI flex plate for $485 I think. Hot heads's is $410 with a non sfi flex plate. I'm not sure which way I'll go yet.

[40FordDeluxe]

Today I ordered an adapter from Tom waters, ordered a polished aluminum water pump, and ordered the BBC to Hemi water pump adapters. I also got a lower pulley off ebay. So now I need to find an upper pulley and get an alt bracket so I have the stuff for mock up. Too bad this doesn't even put a dent in my parts list. LOL I found a frame on ebay that has a stock MII cross member and chevy camaro rear end with leaf springs. The guy is asking $1500 for it and I thought about offering him $1000 for it. But I'd still have an OE thin cross member. So I'm thinking I'll be better off just fixing my frame and not try to save time and money by purchasing another that could be a hack job too.

[40FordDeluxe]

Not much progress on the car other than I purchased a 650 double pumper holley for the Hemi. One of these days I'll get the rest of my projects done and get this one torn down.

[40FordDeluxe]

Due to some other changes on another build i'm doing, I'm going to have to scale back on the money I spend on the 40 to get it going for this year. I'm thinking of building my own recessed fire wall, repairing the crappy MII cross member, and repairing /building my own trans x member. Seeing how my body man still has half my 72 chevy, I more than likely will just paintthis car with blitz black for this summer. I want to get it running and add at least a/c to it so the wife and kiddos can go with me. I'll update when I can.

[40FordDeluxe]

Any preferences on A/C kits? I'm going to start looking for one soon.

[randyr]

Any preferences on A/C kits? I'm going to start looking for one soon.

Most people are probably going to suggest Vintage Air, which is probably a good idea. They've been around a long time and people like them.

I bought a Hotrod Air kit, which is a nice kit but I haven't installed it yet and they are now out of business. So if there's a problem with it I'm probably screwed.
Many have said to stay away from Southern Air.

[Dave Severson]

I'd say Vintage Air has the best customer support and the least backorders of any of the aftermarket A/C companies I've dealt with..... Most of their stuff is decent quality and actually works right out of the box!

[40FordDeluxe]

Most people are probably going to suggest Vintage Air, which is probably a good idea. They've been around a long time and people like them.

I bought a Hotrod Air kit, which is a nice kit but I haven't installed it yet and they are now out of business. So if there's a problem with it I'm probably screwed.
Many have said to stay away from Southern Air.

I was actually contemplating a Southern Air kit. But I wasn't sure about them as I never have dealt with them.

[40FordDeluxe]

I'd say Vintage Air has the best customer support and the least backorders of any of the aftermarket A/C companies I've dealt with..... Most of their stuff is decent quality and actually works right out of the box!

After doing some research, I think I may just go that route. It may cost more, but you certainly do get what you pay for these days. Thanks for the help guys.

[40FordDeluxe]

Does any one know who makes a gauge panel for a 40 ford that houses 2 5" gauges? I may have to build one, not quite sure yet.

[40FordDeluxe]

I figured out there won't be any one offering a gauge panel for 2 5" gauges in a 40 because there isn't room for it. LOL So, looks like I will be figuring something out there. Here are pics I promised a while ago on parts I've been gathering.

650 Double pumper Holley


BBC Long high flow water pump


Engine adapter, water pump adapters, and crank pulley.


I called Hot Heads yesterday on cam info and I might wait to get the car running to decide if I can afford a cam swap. I want to get it all together with a/c and new control arms, new rack, and new power brakes. Once it is to that point, then I will worry about more power. I don't want to have it be June and I don't have a drivable car because I decided to spend the money in the engine. The engine currently runs good so I'll just clean it up and replace the aged plug wires and boots and a few gaskets for the time being.