Why is this done ? I need room to clear pan. And, what benefit is derived from splitting front bones ? How is it done ? Any hard fast rules ? Any caveats ? Thanks!!
With an engine and transmission swap, the ball mount goes away. While it is possible to recreate it, there can be issues with geometry and clearance. The forged section of the wishbone is cut out, and threaded bung are welded into the tubes to hold tie rod ends. Things to make note of: Make sure that they are not so long and so widely spaced that you cannot fully turn the wheels Don't heat and bend them, it creates a weak spot. No tube axles, only an I-beam. Do NOT grind down the weld seam on the tube. These do not always have deep penetration. Grinding the weld down can lead to failure. I have seen it several times. I am sure others will add more.
Here is an old thread on the subject with real good comments and photos from a couple of our Hamb pros. This is removing the ball but keeping the bones on the same plane that they were on before. Remember folks that the link is to an eleven year old thread before you toss in your 2 cents worth after you open it. P&J Split Wishbone Kit 1940 Ford | The H.A.M.B. (jalopyjournal.com)
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/ball-end-of-wishbone.1226189/#post-14082125 This may help as well
Hey Dooley, Thanks much ! Need all the info / help can get. Perhaps…. not needed for front bones on my A coupe. However, surely in the way of clean easy removal of Pan for various reasons. Just dont want to make more/bigger problem by splitting !! Ive not done it yet and that’s why I’m asking. BTW…. I’m thinking of putting in a different engine (not stock), that has a LARGER pan… with more capacity.
I have the Chassis Engineering kit in my '46 Ford and it couldn't have been easier. You do need to have access to a welder and a torch. I'm sorry I don't know who purchased CE but I'm sure someone can tell you who it was.
i once sectioned a stock '33 tranny cross member to 1" tall, widened both sidewalls, my C4 tranny fit fine, i did not split the wishbone...
If you are using a 350 trans the bones are split and moved outwards SLIGHTLY and hooked to tabs hanging down from the cross trans mount. Contact 40ragtopdown here on the HAMB under parts for sale he offers the whole kit for spliting the bones the trans tunnel stiffener and the tierod ends and inserts that need to be welded into the bones. Also required is to heat and bend the spring shackle mounts that are on the front of the wishbones, this is required to make sure the mounts at the front are 90 degrees to the axle centerline. I've done this on 3 cars and it works great 40ragtopdown offers these kits at a much lower price than pete and jakes and Chassis engineering (Heidts)
Chassis engineering Inc shows their kits starting with page 10 of their Ford catalog Chassis Engineering Ford Archives - Page 10 of 13 - Chassis Engineering (chassisengineeringinc.com) More on page 11.
I left the forged ends in my bones and drilled it to accept the Ford tie rod ends...They remained the factory length....
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