1940 Ford Tudor Build Thread

[40FordDeluxe]

Hi guys, I'm gathering parts and pieces to make some big changes to my 40. This car was my uncle's car and I purchased it from the guy who purchased it from my aunt after it was "restored". It was basically a repaint and interior job. It's a decent car, but not how he wanted it, or how I'm happy with it. I was having issues with what power plant to use but have made up my mind. I went and purchased a 46rh core yesterday, so the 354 Hemi it is! I'l start out with some pics of when I first got it to current.








Here is after some new trim that was missing.






Here's some upgrades to the 377 and TH400.




New wheels and wider rear tires.

[40FordDeluxe]

Here it is right now.




I sold the 377/TH400 out of it and purchased the 354 for it. But I was facing not being able to get it done by spring going the hemi route. I was considering going with a 5.9 cummins diesel. I went out and did some measuring and made a descion. The cummins is 36" long from the back of the engine adapter plate to the front of the harmonic balancer. To get the harmonic balancer of the cummins 3" behind the radiator would put the back of the engine almost to the back of the dash. Right then I knew I wasn't going this route. I'm 6'2" and with the factory seat in this car it can be tight for me on a long cruise. I'm not sacrificing comfort and I know it'll be a ton of work to get everything done to get the cummins in there. So Hemi it is.

Yesterday I scored a 46rh dodge core. I was having issues finding trans options that I was happy with. A couple of members from this site guided me in the right direction. Thanks for that.

Ok, for the bad on this car. Where do I start? It has a Mustang II front end under it. But it was poorly installed to say the least.







The next issue. The X member has been hacked and poorly welded back together.







One more scary thing to me. They reused the stock master cylinder and the main line is kinked really bad right where it comes out. No wonder the brakes were so hard to push.

[40FordDeluxe]

I'll post what all I want to do to it here soon. Have to go feed my little girl now.

[NTFDAY]

That's a gorgeous car, but I'll admit that the under carriage leaves a bit to be desired. It sort of reminds me of what my 36 5 window looked like when I first bought the car in '64. 40's have always been my favorite even more so than Deuces. I venture to say that sometime in the future I see a frame off restoration.

[stovens]

Keep posting it will be nice to follow as you go. Steve.

[Mike P]

Looks like you're going to have enough to keep you busy

Glad you found a transmission and are going with the HEMI.

[rspears]

Yeah, glad you're going with the HEMI, too, even though the Cummin's would have been a bit unique. I get the feeling this will be an awesome sedan once you're done. Looking forward to seeing your progress as you make decisions and get things done.

[randyr]

Hey Ryan, don't know if you plan to repair that frame or just find another one and start over. Speedway has a bolt in cross member that looks pretty nice 1935-40 Ford Bolt-In Tubular X-member - Speedway Motors, America's Oldest Speed Shop

What would be awesome is to find someone who just spent $10-12 grand on a TCI chassis and wanted to get rid of there original chassis for $100 bucks!! Then you could start over and make it as nice as you want. My 37 chassis also had the old-school Mustang II suspension. It's solid and works well but it's definitely not show quality. I've wondered if I could successfully cut it out and start over with a nice aftermarket kit but I have way too many other things to tackle right now. I do want to drive it while I'm still alive!! LOL!

[40FordDeluxe]

That's a gorgeous car, but I'll admit that the under carriage leaves a bit to be desired. It sort of reminds me of what my 36 5 window looked like when I first bought the car in '64. 40's have always been my favorite even more so than Deuces. I venture to say that sometime in the future I see a frame off restoration.

Thanks, and I agree. The car does look nice, but the paint is fading horribly, and the paint on the left rear fender is coming off due to gas overage from the fuel neck. I'm going to try to do a frame off in the next few months. I've already started gathering up parts for it. The car needs a lot of stuff for me to feel safe and right putting my family in it.

[40FordDeluxe]

Keep posting it will be nice to follow as you go. Steve.

Don't worry, I plan to. I've learned quite a bit from you guys, so I'd like to try to give back some. LOL

[40FordDeluxe]

Looks like you're going to have enough to keep you busy

Glad you found a transmission and are going with the HEMI.

Yes I am. LOL The first time I got under this car I was like really? WTF? Good thing this was my uncle's car because I totally over paid for it. So at least I got the memories back. LOL The MII front end still had the original to it shocks and had 4 coil spring spacers in each coil spring. Here's another reason it rides so nice. Oh wait, um no. LOL

oh and yeah, I'm glad I found a trans for the hemi. The 4 speed would have been cool, but was going to cost some money in the long run to get it together quick. If I had more time to search for parts I'm sure I could get it done cheaper. I can always switch it over later down the road.

[40FordDeluxe]

Yeah, glad you're going with the HEMI, too, even though the Cummin's would have been a bit unique. I get the feeling this will be an awesome sedan once you're done. Looking forward to seeing your progress as you make decisions and get things done.

Believe me when I say it's hard for me to not go with the cummins. But I don't want to sacrifice leg room at this point. Plus there's always the part of me that's wanted an old hemi. LOL

[40FordDeluxe]

Hey Ryan, don't know if you plan to repair that frame or just find another one and start over. Speedway has a bolt in cross member that looks pretty nice 1935-40 Ford Bolt-In Tubular X-member - Speedway Motors, America's Oldest Speed Shop

What would be awesome is to find someone who just spent $10-12 grand on a TCI chassis and wanted to get rid of there original chassis for $100 bucks!! Then you could start over and make it as nice as you want. My 37 chassis also had the old-school Mustang II suspension. It's solid and works well but it's definitely not show quality. I've wondered if I could successfully cut it out and start over with a nice aftermarket kit but I have way too many other things to tackle right now. I do want to drive it while I'm still alive!! LOL!

I hear you there man! I put 9,000 miles on this car in the last 3 years and I want to keep adding them to it. The plan is to have it back drivable by June. I know that's an ambitious goal, so we'll see if my plan comes together.

I really like that X member from speedway. My only concern is it won't be wide enough for the 46rh I plan on running. I was thinking of building my own and spending the money else where. I've been looking for another frame for a while now. Either they're over priced or rotted out. I'm going to fix mine. I plan on re boxing the frame where the MII goes and purchase another MII cross member and install it correctly. I'm going to look at some tubular control arms from Gear Head Enterprises today at a local swap meet. I'd like to get the body re painted by June too, but it might just get hot rod black'd for now. LOL

[40FordDeluxe]

Among the issues with the x member being chopped and poorly put together, the sheet metal doesn't line up well on the car at all. I thought it may have had to do with the X member being hacked and letting the frame sag causing everything not to line up, causing the bad fit. The more I look at the car, it was just poor assembly I'm guessing. Things should have been replaced instead of half way repairing them. The hood never shut right and that's because the hood hinges had been broken, so they just welded them back together. Nice huh? Here are some pics of the LH door alignment I am going to try to fix while it's apart.







Ok, yesterday I removed the seats from the car so I can try to sell them, and washed the out side since birds seem to think this car is a good canvas to poop on. While it's out, I pushed it over to the shop and I might set the 354 in it to get it out of the shop for now. LOL Here are some more pics of the lovely MII install that was done. I'm going to have to cut all of that out and redo it.






I think I may leave the back of my car a lone for now and put the money I was going to spend on new wider wheels and tires for the back, and get a under air kit. The car needs that worse. These are 245/60/15's on 15x7 wheels. I'm pretty convinced I want to ditch the bumpers too. I'd like to make a coer to put over the bumper bracket holes so if I ever change my mind I can simply remove the covers and install bumpers. I tried buying a GTO rear seat today on Ebay, but it went for more than I wanted to pay right now. I'll keep searching for one later. LOL

[40FordDeluxe]

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.

Some good news. Here's the 46RH core trans I picked up. Now to figure out if I need an adapter or not.