Thread: 1946 Ford Coupe and no ideas

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Hello everyone!
I am new to the hot rod scene and got my first project. I have a 1946 Ford Coupe Super Deluxe that is in good condition. I have the car, some money, and no idea on where to start. I want to take the flathead out and replace it with a crate motor. I also need a rear end and a place where I can get parts to modify the suspension. Any idea? I am stationed in Meridian, MS.

Thanks for any info you have,


Adam

Don't be too hasty to chuck the flathead. If it runs, anyway. They are cool engines and look great with some accessories like heads and multi carbs. Spend some cash on a dropped front axle and reverse the eyes on the back spring, add some cool wheels and tires, and cruise in style until you figure out which way you want to go with building it. A fat-fender coupe doesn't really need much improvement!

I agree 1000%. If the flathead runs just do some maintenance items like hoses, belts, tune up, oil change, etc, make sure the brakes are working and then drive it for a while

If the engine is shot that is another matter, then the small block crate motor makes sense. I would use an adapter plate to mate it to the stock transmission which will save you having to change the rear end right now. I think Speedway carries the adapters and motor mounts for this swap.

A dropped axle and maybe some Posies springs and tube shocks and you are on the road. The one car I really regret selling in my lifetime was a 47 Ford Fordor sedan that had only 50,000 miles on it. I would love to have that one back.

Welcome to the forum by the way.

Don

Here's a little incentive for you.

Don

Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

I agree 1000%. A dropped axle and maybe some Posies springs and tube shocks and you are on the road. The one car I really regret selling in my lifetime was a 47 Ford Fordor sedan that had only 50,000 miles on it. I would love to have that one back.
Don

Here ya go Pops, a chance for redemption; http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/1408654374.html
I've been sorely tempted to go look at this rig, even if it's a more door, but I really don't need another addition to the fleet. But it does drip cool.

Welcome to CHR Adam. Numerous companies make IFS conversions for the '46, as well as upgrades for the rear to get some more modern components that will hold up to an engine with some horsepower and give you some much improved braking and handling, too....really comes down to how much you want to spend on the upgrades.

As Don mentioned, Speedway Motors offers the engine mount conversion kits. While you're at it, don't forget to upgrade (as in replace) the electrical system, really ads to the reliability issues of a good build!

Part of what might drive your choices among the many good one's you've gotten so far are time, work space, and what "some money" really means. If your primary intention is to drive and enjoy, then the starting point is making it safe and reliable. That can be done without engine suspension changes. If your primary intention is to have something to be working on all the time with having a fully modified (at least mechanically) result, then the major suspension changes and driveline replacement is the way to go............assuming that "some money" is a good size pile. Or if your primary intention is to have something neat to drive recreationally that you can do a number of small changes each week or so while still having it be useful in between, then the suspension modifications based on the stock Ford stuff is the way to go (which would be a car similar to the one in the craigslist ad I linked earlier).

To those ends here are some resources to stimulate your thinking process and give you direction on budgeting. Keep in mind, any of the major component choices you pick are just a part of what it will cost to get the job done. For example, if you pick the Posies Indadirt front suspension "kit" that will get you most of the way to a dropped, driveable car, but you should plan on another $100 or 2 to allow for having to do other things you'll find while changing parts; maybe fasteners, tie rod ends, etc. etc.

www.posiesrodsandcustoms.com

www.chassisengineeringinc.com

www.speedwaymotors.com

http://www.sachotrod.com/catalog.htm (a crappy website but they make good parts, especially their rear suspension bits, you have to contact them or order the catalog to see the stuff for '41-48)

Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

Here's a little incentive for you.

Don

oh yeah itoldyou them pld fords are tough

The car was running 20 years ago when my father put it in storage. The engine was rebuilt by him at that time and has about 100 miles on it. It has not run since then. It is all original but I am kind of leaning to the hotrod look. I don't know if it is worth the time and money to rebuild it back original and then in a couple of years go back and start modifying it. As far as space and tools, I do not have either one. I am mechanically inclined, but not when it comes to complex rebuilds. There is a man here in town that is good at working on these cars and charges $35 and hour. He is about 70 years old and doesn't work the fastest but he does quality work. The Navy has me stationed in Meridian, MS for another year then it is off to Washington State for 3 years. I work almost 12 hours a day with Student pilots that try to kill me on a daily basis. In other words, I don't have a lot of time to take big projects on. When I see the car in my mind I picture it lowered with wide deep dish tires. I want the original look, but with some modern upgrades. My budget is about $15k. I posted a pic under my profile of the car.

[QUOTE=KOULAIDE; I posted a pic under my profile of the car.

Son, clean that baby up and drive it! It's ready to go. Have your 70 year old buddy get it running, flush the tank, service the brakes, and use it. Nice looking coupe.

Don

Thanks for the help

[QUOTE=Itoldyouso;365892][QUOTE=KOULAIDE; I posted a pic under my profile of the car.

Son, clean that baby up and drive it! It's ready to go. Have your 70 year old buddy get it running, flush the tank, service the brakes, and use it. Nice looking coupe.

Don[/QUOTE]


I'll second, third, and fourth that. It might not be as fast as the slowest ricer, but it has more class than all of them put together.

Heck, I got to go the other way and say dump the flattie and put some real power in it!!!!!!! That 385hp 351W in the Ford SVT catalog comes to mind!!!!!

Don't pick on me guys, I've had my flattie powered car.... The kewlness of a flattie was overcome by being sooooooo slooooooow.... Sorry....