1940 Ford Tudor Build Thread

[40FordDeluxe]

Looks great!

I smile as I see your attention to measuring as I'm remembering many years ago when my father explained to me why he had "yellow crayons" in the welding table....

"......I measured everything 3-15 times, and finally cut the notches in the cross member, leveled it and tacked it in place......"

Been there done that A LOT

Suspensions or engine swaps where I have to build engine mounts are pretty much the same.....measure everything from every direction possible. If I have the luxury of time after I get everything where I think I want it (a couple of tack welds if necessary) I like to let it sit overnight and then do one last check first thing in the morning before I fire up the welder.

Looking good by the way.



.

Ditto Nice job and layout, out of my feable skill set!

Thanks guys. I was just trying to ensure a good set up this go around.

My first hang up on this though. I installed the upper towers this morning. Checked my angles, made sure my measurements were accurate. Yep, all look great. So I welded them on. Yep. Bad idea. I let everything cool and installed the control arms and spindles to find the spindles are 6* canted down at ride height. I checked all my math and called and spoke with Paul at welder series. I gave him my measurements and sent him pics and he isn't sure why it isn't right either. He did help me find the upper towers are too far apart currently. So that is the issue probably. These measurements aren't in the install instructions I have from 4 years ago. So it looks like in the morning I am cutting them and have to move them in 3/4" per side and then weld them back on. I wish I would have put the control arms and spindles on before I welded the towers. Oh well. I'll really know for the next one.....

Here are some pics of it now. I didn't take any pics with the spindles and upper control arms though. 4* anti dive, and the towers set at 9.8* from frame out. Paul said that is correct. Too bad about them being too far out......

[Matthyj]

Ryan, Just some food for thought on MII suspensions with tubular a arms, off the rear lower arm run a brace up to the frame that the bolt gos through, especially if you ever decide to put the hemi in, that puts the bolt in double shear and will never bend the tube spacer even though its welded and gusseted, A giant bump with a monsterly heavy motor puts a ton of pressure on that spacer and bolt at the rear hanging out there. I wish I could take claim to the idea but it came off another site by a guy who puts a ton of these on and has seen the bolt and spacer bend, really cheap now and hard to do later. Lookin great!! Matt

[40FordDeluxe]

Thanks Matt. I am going to put a large gusset and a bracket going to the frame from the end of the spacer like you say so it is double shear. I just haven't gotten there yet. And the Hemi is going in it. Once it has some suspension under it.

[34_40]

Sorry to hear about "the mixup"...

Whenever I find myself in those situations, I simply say the previous attempt was just practice... 8-)

[40FordDeluxe]

That's right Mike! It should be doubly better this time ehh?

This morning I cut off the towers, cleaned up the welds, and re prepped the frame. Re marked it, and began re positioning the towers. I still have to move the LH one in some to get the center of the slot in far enough over the frame. It's really close now. The spindle is at 0* now. It's like I was just doing this yesterday or something?

[53 Chevy5]

Looks like nice work! You got me as nervous as a sinner on judgement day though. When I put my kit on I just welded it on where they told me. I didn't really check much besides triple measuring of course,I hope mine is alright. Is that some sort of camber gauge you have on your spindle ?

[40FordDeluxe]

Looks like nice work! You got me as nervous as a sinner on judgement day though. When I put my kit on I just welded it on where they told me. I didn't really check much besides triple measuring of course,I hope mine is alright. Is that some sort of camber gauge you have on your spindle ?

This cross member kit I got isn't notched at all and you have to make it fit your ride. I could have gotten a specific cross member for it. But I was afraid it wouldn't fit my frame due to the hackery done before. I'm just trying to make sure I don't screw it up.

That is a digital angle finder I got and it is magnetic on 3 sides. I got it for doing drive shaft angles because I found the needle style could be hard to see what the angle was really. I really like this little tool so far.

[jerry clayton]

I love all those angle meters and the lazers

[jerry clayton]

Just something thjat I remembered-Heidt's haqs control arms that are 5/8 inch shorter than stock-----would that have solved your ??????

Moving the top bracket inward is going to effect the spring/shock angles

[40FordDeluxe]

Just something thjat I remembered-Heidt's haqs control arms that are 5/8 inch shorter than stock-----would that have solved your ??????

Moving the top bracket inward is going to effect the spring/shock angles

Jerry, I have the 5/8" narrowed arms already. Unfortunately, I just had the upper towers too far out. You're right, moving the towers in much more and spring fitment could be an issue. Hopefully tomorrow I can take some time and work on it some more. This morning I spent trying to get some stuff wrapped up on the blue ford because it is supposed to rain for the next few days. It's always something.

I did get my brothers to go help me get my rear end out of my storage box though. That's a plus. The axles feel like there may be a posi inside it. I sure hope so. Those sure have gone up in price lately.

[40FordDeluxe]

I didn't get much time at all to work on the car. But, this morning I did get the LH upper tower set in place and tacked. I have plenty of adjustment for camber, caster, and my anti dive is right on. Now to match the RH side to the LH side.

[cffisher]

I'm remembering all the fun I had doing these. Good work. Second time its easier, just cleaning everything up is a bit of a pain.

[40FordDeluxe]

Yes sir, you're right. And not trying to screw it up again.....

[53 Chevy5]

Looks like your gaining, all that stuff takes soo much time.

[34_40]

You didn't screw it up! Remember.. The first time was for practice! 8-)