Projects 1940 Chevy Sedan SEGA Gasser Build

We just picked up a complete 1940 2 door sedan Master 85. Trailering it home from Idaho, had to stop and show it Mom on the way. The plan is to pull the original motor/transmission and sell that. Looks like the motor runs. Edit: the car will have a Big Block Chevy. .


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Congratulations, it looks to be pretty straight! I've got a '41 and love it; there aren't many of them around my area. It always gets attention when I'm in town in it.
Good luck on the project!

 

It’s a perfect family project. We will learn as we go.


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Could try to make it run and drive with whats in it while you collect the parts to do the swaps?
Congrats! looks like a neat old project.

 

If any one has any ideas on how we should build this we’d love to hear.


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My 40 has a small block Chevy and automatic with a tri-five Chev rear end. Pretty straight forward swap really. The small block fits real good in the engine bay.

 

Ok I’m familiar with that set up. Did you use fender well headers? Locating a tri-5 rear axel might be hard. How about a 10 bolt 6 lug truck axel?


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On mine I used block hugger headers.
For your rear end, the best bet would probably be to measure the one in the car, then start hitting wrecking yards to see what would fit best. Maybe Camaro or Nova?
I think your little straight six with dual carbs and exhaust would be sweet! If mine would have had stock running gear in it, I would have been tempted to keep it. Hop up parts are available and relatively cheap for those engines. Just something to consider.

 

Twenty years ago I had a 39 Chevy tudor that was one of the best hot rods I've ever driven. It wasn't exactly HAMB friendly with the Mustang II front end (power rack), but it sat nice and drove nicely. It used a SBC and 350TH, hooked to an early 70's Nova 10 bolt rear on the stock rear springs. I made my own spring perches for the axle that lowered it a bit and moved the axle to the center of the fender opening. The brake pedal and master were from an early 70's Camaro. Simple car that did the job well.

 

just some info on those: Chevy widened the 6 lug rear for 1971-up by about 1.5". I no longer have measurements of these. The issue with the 1970 and older C-10 rears is the ratio. Most were 3.73 but there were some 3.07 mostly on A/T trucks. The closer to the end of the narrower ones, like 1970, the better chance of finding a 3.07

71 went to 5 lug on 2wd only, but 6 lugs continued on 4wd.
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We would be wanting to run low gears, and 29.5 white wall cheater slick. Should we should look for a Dana 44 truck axel? Maybe from a Jeep truck? Or 60s Chevy truck?


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We won’t be running a Mustang II front end. Our car is a Master 85 with a strait axel. So it’s begging to be a Gasser.


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We found several 348 motors. Otherwise if we rush the project we will drop any old running big block Chevy in it. Swap in a solid lifter cam and some fender well headers and have some fun.


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I found a 55 Pontiac rear Axle. I’m not familiar with them and the parts I do see don’t offer the gear ratios I would use.
I also found a 12 bolt from an Olds. Not traditional but it supports all the ratios I would use.
Any advice on the 55 rear axle?


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Have a '66/'67 Nova rear in my convertible. I's just a little narrower than a '55-'57 and a bit stronger and parts are readily available. I can use 15x8" under the rear if not reversed a lot. MII in front for many years and miles. '40 Chevs are pretty simple cars and parts are around still but grilles are pricey.

 

I don't know if it is a concern for you, but I usually keep the wheel bolt pattern all the same front and back. Hopefully the 40 and the two rear ends you located are the 5 on 4/3/4" pattern. Good looking car to start with.

 

Update on my rear axel search. We found a 12 bolt that a guy set up for his 57 Chevy car he raced in the 70s, has 4:11 and posi. I’m thinking it will be a bolt in.

We also found a 57 Olds rear axle. Not sure if the Olds axle is complete or not. It will take fabrications and rebuilding. But the olds axle is Trad..!


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The 12 bolt is ugly. I’m not sure if I want that under the car or not. The selling is asking $250 for it.


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We did some major clean up on the inside. It was a mouse Mobile.



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Random trunk junk. Any thing look good? You can have it!


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The project manager is keeping us on task.


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Tell her that although she’s pretty, she should always keep the mask on while working in the old car...
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She took it off for the photo shoot


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We’ve been busy cleaning, weathers been great here!


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Moving some motors around. Tired old 283, any one want it? Let me know, hate to scrap it.


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Wow. Great project. 50+ years ago as a young teen I had a 40 Chevy 4-door Special Deluxe. The Master and Special Deluxes had coil springs up front. Wish I still had it. Good luck with your car.

 

Frank ours is a Master 85. It has leaf springs and a strait axle. We’ve been racing around in a 48 Willy’s so we’re used to the strait axle.


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Trade the 283 for the rear diff? Looks like new starter, flywheel, clutch, pressure plate?
I think a 283 is a little more desirable than they were a few years back.

 

Yep those parts are now on a small journal 327 going in Willys jeep.


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More work today, getting ready to take the motor out, had my son helping out.


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