So the 32 had barely been on the road long enough to burn through a tank of gas when a coworker told me about an estate sale full of cars, mostly Fords, and including a 1940 Deluxe Tudor Sedan . He knows I am extremely vulnerable when offered the opportunity to buy one of these things as I've already owned two in the past. I mean I've been obsessing over these cars for years (see this thread as evidence of years worth of Forty Ford obsession) so what was I supposed to do when I opened the garage door and saw this? No negotiating needed. Deal was too good to pass up, onto the trailer and into temporary storage it went. Once I found winter storage for the 32 the 40 arrived into it's new luxurious accommodations, so luxurious that I had to pull the bumpers and brackets off just to be able to move around it. There might have been some measuring that should've happened before this purchase. Oh well too late now. Car is going to get a '66 283, F1 brakes and adjust the stance and that'll be it. Hoping to make a quick and simple family cruiser to use while I finish the 32.
You are smart. The small block chevy has been the standard solution for a flathead V8 since 1955. Ignore anyone dumb enough to complain about your choice of engines
I sure hope your purchase included the crybaby doll that is perched on the front bumper in the first picture @gonzo!
Yes. It’s staying all stock other than mild brake upgrade, lowered stance and the 283. I may put an Olds in it eventually.
Totally true, I consider myself very lucky.... of course I've had to work awfully hard to get this lucky. I have a three phase plan of attack. First thing is to do the chassis work ie brakes, stance shocks etc, second replace the motor, third rewire the electrics. I got the original spring eyes reversed and the front axle dropped by Andy Kohler. That went mint. Lowering shackles were going in the back but when I was putting it together I discovered someone had put front shackle pin bolts in the rear wishbone. This lead me down a very painful road of removing and reinstalling stock shackle pin bolts. I don’t recommend anybody use those unless they absolutely have to, or they have access to whatever tool you’re supposed to use that installs those things without ruining them. What a nightmare.
Great plan, I did the same thing with my 40 I had, except it was a basket case. This is a great plan for a nice stocker. If you need any tech info on this swap, my thread 'the varmit' is still lurking around here, but this swap is as old as the SBC so there is no shortage of info. I'll be watching this come together!
She's a beaut.......Well done!! And don't let some rivet counter look down their nose at you for replacing the flathead with a SBC.
That´s a beautiful 40 you got there. I like your plans. Funny thing is, I got my 40 from Mass too and it´s also got F1 self energizing brakes . A great upgrade. Jay, my friend and last owner , put them on. I´ll be watching!
Dan I've got your build thread bookmarked and have already referred back to it. Thanks for putting together such a great resource. That was a very cool car, where did it end up at in the end?
Lighten up on the cell phone pictures. They are perfect for posting. If you try to blow them up to 16X20 it might be another story. Charlie Stephens
Those F1 brakes also allow for a 15" wheel, which I would imagine to be helpful if you need more than the dropped axle gives you for stance adjustment.
Gonzo, That wasn't a crybaby doll, it was Chucky and he's pissed that you took his ride!!! Ya better watch out cuz he's coming after you!!! Anyway, cool car dude!
It has changed hands again, it has been painted Washington blue with gold wheels, and is in the Houston, TX area. I see pics online once in a while.
I’m pretty terrible at taking pictures but the suspension and brakes are done. Moving on to inspecting the motor and putting in a rear main seal which appeared to be sweating a little.
Looked mint inside. Sludgy but mint. I’ve never had luck installing a rear main with the crank installed so I pulled it. Better for inspection anyways.
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