Front end Question

[pistolpete]

Sorry for the noob question. Have a line on a '40 ford front axle, complete hub to hub, leaf spring and unsplit bones. I wasn't sure if the '40 was the year of choice or if the later 40's were better suited. Done some looking and it seems to be something that should work, just wouldn't mind some words of experience from someone as you only get so much from reading books. And just ballpark what it may be worth, he's asking $200, blasted and primered.

Basic plan is a A Sedan, in a traditionalish type build, probably with an 8BA.

 

[donsrods]

Problem with any Ford front end after 1934 is that the spring is in front of the axle and will shorten your wheelbase by 6 inches. However, for $ 200 I would buy it and use the backing plates, drums, spindles, and sell off the axle and front spring on Ebay. You will get more than $ 200 for those parts. (I just paid $ 170.00 including shipping for a 34 axle, and wishbones go for about a hundred or so.)

Then buy a regular 28-34 Ford axle, dropped or undropped, cut the spring perches off of the front of the 40 bones, split them, buy a pair of 32 style spring perches to put a Superslide spring on top of the axle, and you will have your traditional setup. The brakes alone are worth $ 200 and the spindles bring a hundred or so bucks a pair.

Grab it before he changes his mind.

Don

 

[pistolpete]

Thanks Don, appreciate the advice. I do plan to pick it up, after talking to him there may be some more parts he has kicking around that may be of interest.

 

[donsrods]

All of the 40 parts are pretty usable for a traditional ride. The rear end is about the right width and the rest of the driveline would work great with a flathead (ie torque tube, transmission, etc.) Sounds like the guy have reasonable prices, considering what he could get if he parted them out separately on Ebay, so my advice is to grab whatever he has. This stuff is getting harder to find and more $$$$$$$$$$$$$$. If he has stuff like wheels, get those too. They are either 16 x 4 or 16 x 4.5, VERY desirable.

Don

 

[pistolpete]

Thanks again, we'll see how it pans out.