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Technical 1939 Ford Sedan Rear Fender Fitment

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by 32SEDAN, Oct 11, 2021.

  1. 32SEDAN
    Joined: Jul 30, 2008
    Posts: 1,315

    32SEDAN
    Member

    Anyone have experience fitting 1939/1940 Ford rear fenders from United Pacific? I’ve got it mocked up and the tire is offset in the opening to the rear about an inch. The running board and fender bolted up with little difficulty. Any ideas? I know OEM fenders fit best…

    Thanks!
     

    Attached Files:

    lothiandon1940 likes this.
  2. For whatever reason, it seems like '39 and '40 Fords are some of the most difficult to get the wheel/tire centered in the opening of the fender. If you look at them at a show or event, most are not well centered. I don't have an answer for you, sorry. Hopefully someone will chime in with their efforts to solve this issue. It could be one of those things where a "happy medium" is all that can be achieved.
     
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  3. I made your picture a little bigger so it's easier to see the discrepancy. 4594161-a540031fa3f3851fa40498ce2fb983c9.jpg
     
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  4. 32SEDAN
    Joined: Jul 30, 2008
    Posts: 1,315

    32SEDAN
    Member

    thank you!
     
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  5. uncleandy 65
    Joined: Jan 14, 2013
    Posts: 4,140

    uncleandy 65
    Member

    I had a 38 Chevy that had the same problem. The spring bolt on the stock springs is not the center of the fender opening. I had to make a bracket to offset the spring bolt.
     
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  6. 32SEDAN
    Joined: Jul 30, 2008
    Posts: 1,315

    32SEDAN
    Member

    Thanks. What did your bracket look like?
     
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  7. olscrounger
    Joined: Feb 23, 2008
    Posts: 4,770

    olscrounger
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    very common on 40's. Look at many pictures--you will see most are not centered. Even stockers are off a bit toward the front. Many I have done required centering the rearend-usually as much as 1" but most times 3/4"
    Does the car have crossspring or parallel leaves?
     
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  8. 32SEDAN
    Joined: Jul 30, 2008
    Posts: 1,315

    32SEDAN
    Member

    parallel leaves.
     
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  9. olscrounger
    Joined: Feb 23, 2008
    Posts: 4,770

    olscrounger
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Several ways-redrill main leaf forward or buy blocks with adjustable offset-Speedway has them or make them.
     
  10. 32SEDAN
    Joined: Jul 30, 2008
    Posts: 1,315

    32SEDAN
    Member

    Thanks I will check them out!
     
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  11. Pete Eastwood
    Joined: Jul 27, 2011
    Posts: 1,324

    Pete Eastwood
    Member
    from california

    Is it a fender problem or a chassis problem ?
    Was your wheel centered with the original fenders ?
     
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  12. The first thing is to make sure your wheelbase is correct, then make sure it's square. Then measure the spring to be sure the 'center' bolt is centered. Since it is a parallel conversion, redrilling spring pads may be required.
     
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  13. 32SEDAN
    Joined: Jul 30, 2008
    Posts: 1,315

    32SEDAN
    Member

    You’re on to something. The wheelbase is 112.5” and 1/2” longer than stock. That’s the source of this issue. The axle will need to move forward

    thanks!
     
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  14. 32SEDAN
    Joined: Jul 30, 2008
    Posts: 1,315

    32SEDAN
    Member

    New chassis, new fenders
     
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  15. 19Fordy
    Joined: May 17, 2003
    Posts: 8,027

    19Fordy
    Member

    IMG_8862.JPG 40 ford side view0001.jpg IMG_0060b.jpg View attachment 5197654
    This rear wheel is centered using the original 112 in. wheel base and 40 Ford rear end.
    Tire is 7:60 x 15. Previous 8:20 x 15 tire was also centered. Front tires are 5:60 x 15
    on a 4 in. dropped axle and reversed spring.
     
    Last edited: Oct 11, 2021
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  16. 32SEDAN
    Joined: Jul 30, 2008
    Posts: 1,315

    32SEDAN
    Member

    Perfect! That’s the spacing I’m trying to achieve
     
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  17. hotrodjack33
    Joined: Aug 19, 2019
    Posts: 4,128

    hotrodjack33
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I ran into the same problem putting the '36 Cabriolet back together...both sides equally a little off center...fortunately, skirts hide the issue;)
    100_6932.JPG zg.jpg
     
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  18. uncleandy 65
    Joined: Jan 14, 2013
    Posts: 4,140

    uncleandy 65
    Member

     

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