Technical Can a 1932 Ford drive train survive a 283 sbc

If you have a stock 2 barrel 1962 283 sbc and:
If you gently shift into first gear, and gently engage the clutch, and only then, slam the gas peddle to the floor, will the stock 32 gears (in a 39 case), or the driveshaft, or the rear axles break?

 

From my experience, the spider gears will give up first

 

Guys have been doing it since the 50"s with bigger OHV engines than that.Trick is to take it easy. Good
trick if ya can do it.

 

Haaaaa!!!------Be prepared to "Shear the cob" in that '39 box!!

 

Sure.
Unfortunately there are very little replacement parts to be found in junk yards if you drive it like a hot rod should be driven.

 

As others point out, that swap was common back in the '50s and '60s. The only drawback are the weak links once you get too crazy with your right foot. Once you break something in the trans or the rear, it's quite a repair job.

 

I see a propensity here, so.... No!

 

If or how many parts will break all depends on the amount of lead in the right foot.
I've known guys who you could put in that rig with a 400 hp 327 in it and they wouldn't tear up a thing and the rear tires would probably last more miles than what the maker said they were good for. On the other hand I know a few people and have been related to a couple that can tear up steel balls with a rubber hammer in the middle of a sand pile.

It's all on the driver as far as tearing something up goes not what engine is in front of what transmission.

 

My money's on the cluster hitting the ground before the gear lube ...

 

“ NO “

 

what fun is a hotrod that can't be flogged

 

Yes, it will last if you want it to. What you put on the back for tires will help also.

I do not know much about 283's other than I had one in a pickup. It wasn't much different than a flathead that I have in a Model A. The model A has a flathead with 39 transmission and Model A rear end. As traditional as it gets and it has stood up fine.

Anything can fail. I had the axle key shear in a stock Model A.

 

Just don't get traction.

 

I was a passenger in a 41 Ford pickup with a 307 Chevy in front of the stock 3 speed on the floor when second gear was selected the aforementioned tranny self destructed! lol

 

I ran a stock 265 SBC and stock restored '32 trans and rear axle in my '32 pickup. I had no issues but, I was never a lead foot!

 

Maybe, but no if you make a few simple mods to things.
The weak point is the transmission with stock 28 gears. You maybe have 200 hp and there were a lot of flatheads that made that back in the old days when stock parts were all there was.
Don't side step the clutch and don't go WOT till you are rolling and the drive train will last fairly well.
I went 3 years on one 39 transmission and a 32 rear end. However, I did have 25 tooth gears, lapped axles and saftey hubs. That was weekend drags, 2 times at Bonneville and a couple of road races.

 

Negative...

 

I had a 1937 Lincoln Zephyr coupe in the mid 60’s with a mildly warmed up 265 Chevy. I recall replacing synchronizers in the Ford/LZ trans but I also recall breaking at least one rear axle.
It worked but I would suggest a better trans and rear end.


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Check my avatar pic 283 35 trans same as 32 trans and yes I drive reasonably steady but have confidence to drive it any were only killed one trans in 20 years and that was a 39 trans the shyncro blocks popped out but no gear damage

 

I built my 3W as a Hot Rod, so if I flog it I'm not worried about breakage. On the other hand I built my '32 Roadster as a cruiser, '57 283, '39 trans with a 25 tooth gear set and a Columbia rear axle. Been driving the Roadster for 15 years with no breakages or problems. So as others have stated, it all depends on how you treat the old trans and rear ends.

 

My roadster has a 265" SBC with tri-power, driving through a 1932 ford transmission and rear end. I jump on it once in a while, but not totally stupid launches. I can chirp the tires in first and second gear if I want to, but I usually just behave myself. Drive modestly and you shouldn't have any problems.

 

Thanks for all the great feedback.
I hadn’t considered the spider gears. I have a spare set and they do look fragile.

I drove the 32 for 8150 miles over 13 years, and then the driveshaft sheared at the weld.
I think it was a fatigue failure; since I wasn’t pushing it at all.
I replaced the driveshaft and have driven this shaft 7019 miles for 34 years (so far).

I have two backup driveshafts, two spare axles, one set of spider gears, a 1939 case full of decent 1932 gears (I remember that the bearings need replacement).

I guess I will continue to drive like a little old lady.

 

The Ford drive train acts as a very good rev limiter (but YOU have to control it)

 

Skinny rear tires, 32 psi recommended..

 

My good friend Sam owned and drove this deuce for three years. Rebuilt 283, 39 trans, and stock 32 rear end. He sold it around 2005, and the currant owner still has the same set-up without problem.

 

Just be very gentile with the transmission and you will be fine. Now about the 32 spider gears just a little axle chatter caused by the clutch chattering and you will find that weak link. Good luck.
Ronnieroadster

 

have 39 Ford box behind my 283 and banjo... Had a one issue with a coupling.. other than that no issues.. stock 6.00 X 16 Firestone Deluxe Champions ..

 

You should be fine as long as you put an egg between your right foot and the gas pedal

 

I remember the rear hub keys being a weak point.