Projects 1947 Ford Tudor build thread (A.K.A. seemed like a good idea at the time....)

[millersgarage]

Well, I've been enjoying my '47 for about 8 years now, and the flathead runs great, but just doesn't have the power needed to be a "Hot Rod" in my book.

I started with


Made a few changes over the years like, IFS, 9" rear with leaf springs, C4 trans, etc to make it a wonderful driver


After finishing my '28, I got to thinking about the '47, and what I wanted to do, so last spring, I picked up a NICE '69 302 Ford, and went thru it.

I know I will get flack for swaping out the Flatty, but it is cheaper to make power in a ohv, than the ole flathead

This week I started pulling the front clip.


Yesterday the clip came off, with only a few stubborn bolts.


After pulling the clip, I thought....This would make a good build thread.....

[BBYBMR]

Keep 'em comin'. Nice car, and Ford in Ford is good!

[54 savoy]

heck yeah ! "good build thread",put the turkey down and go to it,:-)

[arkiehotrods]

You selling the flathead? The 59AB in my '47 spun a bearing last week.

[millersgarage]

Originally Posted by arkiehotrods

You selling the flathead? The 59AB in my '47 spun a bearing last week.

sorry, there is already a waiting list for my engine

[Ebert]

Cool! I did the same thing (and took some shit for it), and swapped my 48 Merc Flathead out of my 40 for a 59 Corvette, dual quad motor. Just got tired of leaky 97's and no power although the old flattie sounded great. I am much happier!!!!
E

[tudorkeith]

least you have all ford. my car already had the sbc and clip done. but least I have an easy engine to work on. nice tudor. Ihope to get my car half that straight someday

[millersgarage]

Well.....it's out. Got a little hung up on the Lokar shifter mounting bracket (gonna change that mess anyways, why does it need to be so big?)



The rails are great, there is a little wahoo in the RT front horn, but nothing else to worry about. I need to cut off the engine mounts I made and get the new Chassis Engineering ones in, then I will test fit the new engine before I start working on the firewall. Some rust to fix in the lower cowls, but not too bad for a 62 year old..



The Mrs. caught me making some room in the X member


until next time...........

[Royalshifter]

Cool man.......I made room in the Garage for the flattie!!!!

[Cajun Kenny]

imagine my disapointment when i opened this thread and no SBC!!

keep the updates coming!

[Jay is my name]

Originally Posted by Cajun Kenny

imagine my disapointment when i opened this thread and no SBC!!

keep the updates coming!

It was closer to being a 350 Chevy than you could ever imagine. Good call staying Ford in a Ford!

[freebird101]

a 302 I just got to say alleluia!!!!!!!!!!!!

[freebird101]

sorry double post

[millersgarage]

Originally Posted by Jay is my name

It was closer to being a 350 Chevy than you could ever imagine. Good call staying Ford in a Ford!

yes it is true, I picked up a SBC first, but the outpouring of crap I got from friends (like Jay) made me rethink my ways......

I traded the SBC for a SBF straight up, and went to it. My other Ford is Ford powered, so it is not unusual for me.

[millersgarage]

So, this doesn't seem right.....


I have used many of Chassis Engineering Inc parts, and all have fit well. SO I called their tech support, and Emailed them these photos, and they said that my frame is different than the 3 frames they have there. Supposedly, the inner box frame on my frame that sits flush, is bulged out about 1/4 inch on the ones they have........still does not explain this

How am I going to drill and put a bolt thru this??

All they said was that my frame is different, and it should explain the gap.

He said I can put the braces to my frame where I would like them to be, and then measure my centers, and they will build me a custom set of mounts to fit it on the engine side. I guess that will be ok, but I still think they should fit beter than this.
They are also not square to each other. When I lay a level across them, it rocks corner to corner.

I am gonna think on it a few days, then most likely I will cut these ones up, and weld them they way I think they should be, and let everyone here know what I came up with.


What do your frame rails look like?

[millersgarage]

So.......I had to trim a bunch off of the front edge of the mount, and reshape it to fit tighter to the crossmember, in order to get the fore/aft dimension correct.


Then I put 1/2 inch spacers on the backside so that it will fit tightly to the inner frame rail, then redrilled the lower mounting bolt holes.


After all that, the mounts are still not square to themselves


so much for "bolt on" parts......

Here is the engine in on it's first test fitting. There is loads of room around everything, and no problems with oil filter (short style on in the photo).


Whew!, it fits great. I was worried, but now that it is in there, it looks small. maybe I shouldda went with a big block.......

I am ready for the shitstorm I am going to get about the serpentine belt........

[Streetdemon]

Yeah the "Bolt on" term really means you have alot more work ahead of you. Great write up.

[40FORDPU]

Thanks for posting. Following your build. Glad you put another Ford in it.

[millersgarage]

OK, now it's time for the trans mount

Doesn't look too difficult..........


Getting it all in place on the X-member


If it is gonna be that far off center, I wish Chassis Engineering would not even drill the holes.


So I get it in place, centered, correct front to rear per the dimentions on the instructions, measure it twice, and just when I am ready to drill the holes, I noticed that there are holes on the mount, that line up perfectly with holes in the Fords frame

Why the hell they don't just tell you to install bolts thru these first, I DON'T KNOW!
It would have made things a lot easier, as I was, like most guys would be, laying under the car, on my back, on stands, with little room to move around.

Here it is all mounted up, all holes drilled. Only used the center two on each side for the mockup.


The best thing about using a C4 transmission in a post war Ford, is all the room it has in the center X member. Very minor work is needed to provide clearance.


Here are a few shots from the interior with the floor panel removed.


Next step----Headers

All is well here in the garage, but the holidays are here, and I will not be able to get out and play with my toys for a little while. I have a huge shopping list ready to order from Summit Racing, so hopefully I will get a few gift certificates for Christmas

Once I get the headers mocked up, I will be pulling the engine out, and prepping the firewall and frame rails for paint.

[tudorkeith]

really nice work. makes me want to go fire up the heater and work on my tudor. looks good