1940 Ford Tudor Build Thread

[johnboy]

If that was mine I'd be as chuffed as a steam engine.

[40FordDeluxe]

Thanks guys! I think it turned out pretty sweet. A page or so ago I was thinking of ways to make my 5" Auto Meter gauges work in my dash without modifying the stock dash. Luckily, the 5" gauges are closer to 3 1/4" under the lens. I got to thinking maybe I could make a dash insert for 2 3 3/8" gauges work. I was trying to find a finned aluminum one but didn't have much luck and then I found what I thought would be the next best look for a 70s themed hot rod. An engine turned panel! I do believe I'll be incorporating more of this in the interior. I've always liked the looks of engine turned pieces.

I knew there would be some work to make the gauges fit. I began grinding the bezel to get the gauges to fit. Unfortunately, the only they would fit is if I notched the edges of the gauges. That was a little nerve racking taking the death wheel to a pair of $500 gauges. I did open up them a little but I plan to seal them back up and they should be good. I'll re paint the bezels and the mods should be harder to spot.

Next was to get the insert to actually fit the dash. I wonder if they sent me a truck one? Oh well, too late as I already started chop cut, rebuilding on it. I've got it fitting pretty decent now. Next is to find a way to hold the insert to the dash and cut down the gauge hold downs so I can secure the gauges to the insert. It's coming together.

[Dave Severson]

The pinstriping is great, anyone who doesn't like it probably wasn't around in the 60's or weren't paying attention! Gauge panel is great, amazing how these "bolt ons" always require hours of modifying to fit, huh?

[Hotrod46]

Oh yea! I remember PAW well. Moon as well. Engine turning is about as classic and timeless as it gets. Good for just about any year of build. If it was good enough for Bugatti, it's plenty good enough for for me!

[NTFDAY]

Looks great and I agree with everything said. But if you were after a 60's look you would have a full compliment of S-W gauges with a Sun tach same as I had in my 36 5 window coupe in 64. No radio mas well.

[40FordDeluxe]

The pinstriping is great, anyone who doesn't like it probably wasn't around in the 60's or weren't paying attention! Gauge panel is great, amazing how these "bolt ons" always require hours of modifying to fit, huh?

You got that right! I totally agree about the bolt ons. I probably spent 2hrs cutting and trimming this dash insert so far to get it to fit in the dash hole.

Oh yea! I remember PAW well. Moon as well. Engine turning is about as classic and timeless as it gets. Good for just about any year of build. If it was good enough for Bugatti, it's plenty good enough for for me!

Someday I'd love to have a model a coupe or roadster with an engine turned firewall just because. The next best thing is the stainless panels that look like quilting/knurling. I love that too!

Looks great and I agree with everything said. But if you were after a 60's look you would have a full compliment of S-W gauges with a Sun tach same as I had in my 36 5 window coupe in 64. No radio mas well.

I hear ya. The only reason I'm using these gauges is because I have them. The budget is gone to buy much more for this thing until we get our tax return. But I don't want to wait for that because warm weather may be here before that is and I've got other stuff to build too unfortunately. So I'll use these for now and get the thing running. I have been shopping for older Sun tach and SW gauges and so is everyone else.

[NTFDAY]

Don't get me wrong I'm not hacking on you, I think those gauges are cool and finding good S-W gauges would be a problem so you use what you have. I have the S-W 160mph speedometer that was in my coupe waiting for something to put it in.IMG_7173.jpg

[40FordDeluxe]

Don't get me wrong I'm not hacking on you, I think those gauges are cool and finding good S-W gauges would be a problem so you use what you have. I have the S-W 160mph speedometer that was in my coupe waiting for something to put it in.Attachment 75292

That's awesome you still have it! I have some old stewart warner gauges that came from Uncle Jerry via trade labor that I was going to put into my old 39 Chev. I'm just not sure they will work. It's funny, I'm almost certain the bracket that holds them is engine turned. I'm going to have to dig them out now. The nice thing about this bezel/panel is that if I ever decide to put 2 3 3/8" gauges in it, they should still fit with ease.

I still have the gauges from this car but my oldest daughter wants a 40 Ford real bad. She actually wants this one but it isn't happening right now. I bought her one so I want to give her the gauges from this car so she can have a piece of this car in hers.

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[NTFDAY]

That's awesome you still have it! I have some old stewart warner gauges that came from Uncle Jerry via trade labor that I was going to put into my old 39 Chev. I'm just not sure they will work. It's funny, I'm almost certain the bracket that holds them is engine turned. I'm going to have to dig them out now. The nice thing about this bezel/panel is that if I ever decide to put 2 3 3/8" gauges in it, they should still fit with ease.

I still have the gauges from this car but my oldest daughter wants a 40 Ford real bad. She actually wants this one but it isn't happening right now. I bought her one so I want to give her the gauges from this car so she can have a piece of this car in hers.

That's fantastic, I applaud that young lady. The 40 Ford is one of the finest designs ever and I wish I still had mine. Nothing like driving a straight axle.
I wasn't blessed with a son so Ian, my grandson who lives with me will inherit most of my "junk" and the Vette as well. He is mostly "old school", wonder where he got that from, and before I pass I hope to score an old coupe or sedan for us to lay with.

[40FordDeluxe]

That's fantastic, I applaud that young lady. The 40 Ford is one of the finest designs ever and I wish I still had mine. Nothing like driving a straight axle.
I wasn't blessed with a son so Ian, my grandson who lives with me will inherit most of my "junk" and the Vette as well. He is mostly "old school", wonder where he got that from, and before I pass I hope to score an old coupe or sedan for us to lay with.

You've definitely shown Ian the right way IMO. All my kids are into old cars and trucks. I don't push it on them but they are around them so much and they enjoy it. They are still young so we shall see but none of them will turn down a ride in anything old and cool.

Now that the firewall has set up, it's about time to get the engine and trans put back in. I mentioned a couple pages back I was adding bolts to the adapter plate for the engine. I couldn't do that on one side because there were some bosses on the bell housing of the trans case. I got them cut off and drilled and tapped the adapter plate. Now it has 6 mounting bolts in it and I feel better about it. I'll paint the trans and I think it's ready to go back in the car.

Before I get it in and test fit the valve covers, I wanted to add a little to them to keep that gold flowing. Hopefully this weekend I will get time to mess with the car.

[40FordDeluxe]

I got the gauge bezel/insert modified to fit in the original dash hole. I also got the gauges fit pretty decent in it and attached to the plate. Next was to make some little brackets to retain the bezel/plate to the dash. Other than some polishing on the bottom corners of the side bars, and sealing and painting the gauges, I think this part is done. Now to prep the dash and get it painted.

[NTFDAY]

Those look great and should really stand out when you pop the hood. The only thing better, IMHO, would be a set of DeSoto covers.
Chrysler's are too common and Big Daddy used Dodge ones on some of his cars, but I don't remember seeing DeSoto's any on any drag cars.

[53 Chevy5]

Do you realize you've crossed the line now right Ryan? You can't cut stuff apart and redo it anymore! It all looks really good!

[rspears]

Do you realize you've crossed the line now right Ryan? You can't cut stuff apart and redo it anymore!

Yep. All of those "By when?" questions end with 2023 now, and before 5/1/2023. C'mon Bubba, get that '40 rollin' down the road!!

[40FordDeluxe]

Do you realize you've crossed the line now right Ryan? You can't cut stuff apart and redo it anymore! It all looks really good!

Thanks. I'm trying hard to map it out and make it as nice as I can but still make it run and drive this late spring. It won't be done but are they really?

Yep. All of those "By when?" questions end with 2023 now, and before 5/1/2023. C'mon Bubba, get that '40 rollin' down the road!!

Thanks Roger. I'd love to take it to Torque Fest May 5th and 6th. That's coming really fast.