Modified tech question, sort of...

[RileyRacing]

If this is off topic, Ryan can delete it.

I wanna build a modified. Right now, I am in the parts gathering stage. So far I have a late "t" frame (thanks kartbreaker), a 216 Chevy engine and trans.
That's it.
My question is, what parts should I be looking for?
Are certain front axles more desirable? IE, earlier or later? I assume the later cars are wider, but don't know. How bout rear ends? Will the Stovebolt bolt up to a Ford "Banjo" rear? What years are the best to convert the '16 to an open drive bellhousing. I think I read before late 50's truck will work? How about brakes? Or for that matter pedals? Any suggestions? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I was thinking of getting a 35-37 ford front axle and a similar vintage rear axle, if they'll work with the Chevy trans. If not, I'll go open.

Sorry for the barrage of questions, but I wanna start hitting swap meets and stuff with sort of a clue what to look for.

Thanks, and this tech week has been awesome!

Jay

[RileyRacing]

I gleaned this from dixiedog from another post...

Another one that i like is Mail Jeeps - right hand drive has a nice little box that will work for a drag link steering, straight axle leaf spring front for a gasser, dana 44 posi rear flanged axle that is nice and narrow 54"(i think), cool floor shifters, nice clean column, flat sheet metal out the wazzuu, small 3 row radiator, AMC or GM 6cyl (some Iron Duke 4cyl) with 3spd auto, small wiper motors and fleet maintenance for years.

Never woulda thought of that! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Jay

[RileyRacing]

btt, someones had to have built one of these... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Jay

[Kevin Lee]

I read your post and didn't reply because there were a LOT of questions in there and they all seemed a little vague. Sorry. I'd say start with the knowledge that early Ford parts are pretty cool in that you can mix and match quite a bit and still end up with something mechanically sound. Juice brakes onto earlier axles, wishbones and springs and perches can be bolted up in just about any combination with a little tweaking. ANY Ford beam axle made after '28 is suitable. How about that for a start?

[Unkl Ian]

The beauty of a Modified is that you can use almost anything.
It could be as fancy or as simple as you want.Use what you find,and what you can afford.
T front axles are junk.I'm guessing T rear axles are junk too.
I think a T chassis is marginal,I'd rather make one from rect tubing.
Model A axles can be fitted with hydraulic brakes with a simple adapter.
Later axles came with hydraulic brakes.
My personal preferance is for an open driveline,for strength and availability.
You can find more here:
Modifieds site (http://www.danielstrohl.com/modifieds.html)
Modifieds mailing list (http://www.topica.com/lists/modifieds/read)

[RileyRacing]

ok, I left it vague on purpose... I know nothing about older cars... if it was a mulletmobile or late 70's cruiser, I'd be all over it, but anything past about 70, I have no clue.

Actually, you guys did answer my front end question, but what about rears? Will a Chev trans bolt to a Ford torque tube? Is it some obscure adapter?

Yes, sometimes I really am an idiot http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Kevin Lee]

Hmmm...that's funny, my personal preference is for a closed driveline...for strength and availability. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif Oh, you can add compatability to that list too since I'm using a flathead and 39 toploader.

[Kevin Lee]

You know, that is a great question. How about it anyone? Will an early Chev. motor and trans that uses a torque tube rear end mate to a Ford Banjo? How about the 50's Buick stuff? They were torque tube also, right? Couldn't you just splice the two tubes together near the transmission?

[Unkl Ian]

[ QUOTE ]
my personal preference is for a closed driveline...

[/ QUOTE ]

Part of my preferance is based in part on my incredible lack of understanding
of torque tubes and how all the peices go together.
Drive shaft and u-joints I understand.
I can figure out how to shorten a driveshaft,put a different yoke on one end,etc..
And I know later stuff will take the abuse,some of the earlier stuff might not.

[Unkl Ian]

What does the output shaft look like on the two trannys?
I think Modernbeat is working on a Top Secret Torque Tube Transmission Project.
The concept sounded real good.
How hard is it to shorten a torque tube?

[Kevin Lee]

Funny how things work like that. To me torque tubes are dead simple. A single u-joint at one end and a spring with shackles to control movement on the other end. Open drive seems like a whole lot of trouble to me. Strange since I usually like overengineered things with lots of moving parts. My tires are probably going to break loose well before anything in my drivetrain breaks so I'm not too worried. I'm looking for top end with my car.

[Fat Hack]

Jay, you can have the stock 49 Chevy rear axle back after I swap a later 10 bolt in there!

That will solve your compatability problem...making the driveline all Chevy!

I'd use a standard Ford axle up front if I were you. Easy to adapt to your T frame. A dropped axle, or maybe a frame kick-up or suicide mount would get your nose down, and I'm sure it wouldn't be too difficult to adapt a buggy spring to the Chevy rear axle.

That oughtta get ya rolling!!! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[RileyRacing]

There's just something about the way an early Ford rear looks...

But I've always been a rear end man... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I figgered on setting it up with a Chevy rear, welding Ford spring mounts to it and shortening the torque tube, but if there is a way to adapt an open early Ford rear, I'd do that!

Jay

[Fat Hack]

Check out last month's Rod & Custom, I believe. They had a feature on converting early Ford banjo axles to open drive. Do that, and run an open drive GM tranny behind your 216 (truck bellhousing, right?)...and you can run a driveshaft with the proper u-joints on each end!

(I hadn't considered how the old Chevy axle would LOOK...visually, it isn't very pretty...and the rear axle is out there for all the world to see in a typical modified...your call on this one!)

[RileyRacing]

Well, I'd paint it up first... duh!?! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I will look into that. I believe it is a 55ish bellhousing and clutch, but can someone else clarify that?

Jay

[Unkl Ian]

How wide is a '49 Chevy axle?
As long as it looks old,you'll be OK with the Traditional Police.
Ford rears are fashionable right now,so the price will be higher.

Rocket: what body style are you planning?
If it's a slammed '27 Roadster,no one will see the rear end.
If it's a stripped down Bucket,then it would show.
Since you have to weld brackets on for the rear spring,you have the option of putting the spring in front of the axle.A T spring might be good for that.

[RileyRacing]

A bucket...

I was thinking of a "t" spring so I guess I am on the right track...

Another benefit of the 49 axle is it has hydralic brakes already. Huck brakes, but hydralic.
The drawback is I don't know how to shorten a torque tube driveline. Driveshafts are pretty cut and dry...

Thanks for the info so far, I'm soaking all this in...

Jay

[Tony]

Rocket,
PM Pete.
He's a member of the Alter Boy's cc, and they built a killer modified.
I saw it this year at the South Butler drags here in NY.
He may be able to give ya some ideas.

Rat...

[RileyRacing]

Thanks for the tip, 'rat!

Jay

[Morrisman]

Jay,
I've never really hung around with rod type dudes, 'cos there are so few wherever I've lived, so most all of what I've learned about rods is from magazines, books, websites etc. You could have a look at loads of pictures, read loads of tech spec, and see what seems to gel. Get an idea of the look you like, and want, see what parts people used to get that particular look, start collecting parts.
Anything can be made to fit anything, it's just a question of your mechanical ability, dedication, and/or how much coin you want to invest.
Cheers, Paul

[Tony]

No problem....
here's a pic of his ride.
http://photo.starblvd.net/~Packrat/5-4-2.jpg

Rat...

[RileyRacing]

That's one of the reasons I wanna build a modified... I remember when you guys posted those pix!

Morrisman, I that's why I wanna build a mod... it seems like a screwed up mess from the outside, but on the inside, it is a well thought out, purpose serving tool. I agree about making anything work, and I am in no hurry to get it running, but wanna learn as much as I can along the way.
BTW, welcome to the HAMB.

Jay

[Tony]

I forgot,
Flash on here is an Alter Boy too.
The magazine "Mag-nito" is his. There's some good stuff on the build up of that car in it.
You may even want to contact him to see if he has any more of those left.
It also covers the Drags, with a bunch of pics.
pretty cool mag.

I'll leave your post alone now http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Rat...

[MercMan1951]

Jay,

Why don't you pirate Dad's 300, (give him yours) and take the motor, tranny, driveshaft, front suspension, etc...then you'll have a body/chassis that works with your "mulletmobile" knowledge?! Plus, it's all Chrysler underpinnings with a Ford body and chassis. You'd be set!!! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif