Thread: 47 Ford rearend questions

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First I am new to site so I would like to say hi to all. I am pretty unfamiliar with ford products but I am trying to help a friend with a low budget 47 ford super deluxe. We are the process of installing a 351W and C4 trans. I have been trying to find out if the stock rear can be adapted for use with this combo. The engine is basically stock and the car is going to be driven on a regular basis. Any info on the rear or anything in general would be very helpful. Thank you for your time.

You would be better off taking out the stock rear and putting in a Ford 8 or 9 inch (or GM). Have him get a rear parallel spring kit from Chassis Engineering or other outfit to mount the rear. That is the best solution. The 47 rear will not hold up to a 351.

Thanks for the input. We do have a 9 in rear that will eventually end up in the car. But at the moment there is not enough money left to get everything needed to put it in the car. Currently, the goal is just to get it "driveable". If it breaks, it breaks. With the engine, trans, motor mount kit, etc.. we have less than $250 in the car. The car was a gift. His grandfather bought the car new and it has been passed down to his father and now him. Thanks again for your reply.

In my opinion, it's a damned shame he's hackin' up grandpa's car. If I was his dad, I'd take it back.

Tech, your age is starting to show and btw isn't that '47 a closed driveline?

yep and yep

I don't know Ken, to me it's a matter of disrespecting the elder member of the family. I guess I just have a different take on some things. If it was a car that came from somewhere else, yeah, rod the hell out of it, but my grandfather's car.....I just couldn't do anything but keep it original and show it with pride. Different strokes, ol' buddy.

Could be quite a challenge to hook up that C4 to.

Originally posted by DennyW
The car was a gift. His grandfather bought the car new and it has been passed down to his father and now him.
You got to be kidding. That far handed down and your going to do that. You should be ashamed of yourself.
Sorry, no help from me.

Sell it to me, and I will keep it original.

I totally agree, I was just giving Tech a hard time.

For everyones information, the only changes will be to the driveline and brakes. When you are taking two young kids out for a ride, it helps if you can stop. The plan is for something that gets driven on a DAILY basis. No chop top, custom body work, fancy wheels, plush interior. Not even a/c. Just the original appearance with a little more safety and reliability. I think if his grandpa was still alive he would appreciate the great-grandkids being around more than the car.

I apologize for pushing a few buttons. I want every one to know that we do respect the past--much more than most people of our generation. We weren't there but we have heard the stories and we continue to pass them on. And by the way---we are keeping all of the original parts just in case we change our minds.

I've driven a '66 Mustang on the streets for years with no power drum brakes and they work fine. A total rebuild of the stock brakes on your '47 would work just as well and as long as you don't ride somebody's butt you won't have any problems. I'd be worried about the stock cloth covered wiring in the car and the condition of the generator amongst other things. If the flatty is in good condition it'll get you anywhere you want to go.
If you want or need help on things such as I have mentioned I'm sure you will get many responses.

Well if experience is worth anything...It seems almost everything I have changed to "our" '34 into "my car" (as my Dad bought it in 1965, put over 225,000 miles on it and gave it to me in 1991)...I have regretted changing.

To think I almost chopped this car makes me second guess just about every decision I make on a daily basis. Believe it or not, Pete Chapouris talked me out of cutting the lid and I am really glad he did. I actually called him knowing he would give me the nerve to pick up the blade...but to my surprise, he made me realize how special this inheritance was. When he suggested I fing "any" other car to cut up, I about passed out. I didnt think I would ever hear him "save" any of them. But again, I am glad he did. Like my dad used to say, "as long as you dont change the silouette, you can always put it back like you found it. He said trends come and go, but classics are ALWAYS in style. Now its very cool when people walk up and say "you must have raised the top on that car!...I havent seen an unchopped '34 in years!"

So my advice is certainly do what you want to do...It is your car now. Just think long and hard about the changes you make. If you have any intentions of passing this car on to your children (as I am mine), then perhaps changing the things you can (and probably will!) easily revert back would be something to consider.

Again, just experience talking...its still your car! Have fun!

The closed drive rear is going to take more time and money than its worth. Take your 9" rear and make or buy a radius rod setup with the cross spring.

I used the rear springs from a `72 Dodge Dart on my `47 Coupe( been using this for about 10 yrs. now). You need to get the front and rear spring hangers with the springs,also,the upper & lower shock mounts. Rotate the frt. hanger 90 degrees( so the studs face up) cut a piece of 1/4" plate about 12" long to fill the gap between the outer frame rail and rear of the X member. Bolt the plate in the gap and bolt the frt hanger there( 8-10" from V). Use the stock arch in the spring to locate the rear hanger. Locate the upper shock mount at a 20 degree angle on the old spring cross member.This is a cheap almost bolt in swap.

Good luck!
KEEP ON CRUISIN'