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39 Ford Project

TRMark

Jedi Knight
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I went to WI last week to get the Ford stored for the last 30+ years on the Farm. Dad sold the place to one of my brothers, so it was time.

513583356_f676e8120d.jpg


Kind of an ugly little spud isn't it. It has a V60, several people have expressed an interest in the engine since I don't plan on using it. The plan is to install a Ford 302 with an automatic, Mustang II front suspension, Ford 8.8 at the rear on parallel leaf springs, and the wife's requirement of AC. Not really a hotrod more of a driver. And, yes, I do know a SBC would go in their alot easier, but it is a Ford.
 
I think that's a very neat looking car. I like the lines, really.
 
Sure would be one nice ride, even with a 302. My prefrence would be a Big Block ford 460, with some flat top pistons and dove c heads, An Aluminum manifold and maybe an 850 double pumper.
But then I always have liked the ground shakers when it comes to hot rods.
I`m sure she will be "SWEET" what ever you decide to do.
 
You're on the right track.

Had a 40 Deluxe coupe. It came with a smallblock(265, that tells you how old i am) Put a LaSalle stick in it, converted the shocks to tubes and split the rear bars. 12 volt, Was a good little car.
 
I saw one of those once and LOVED it. You should restore it to its former glory. Keep it stock! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif
 
S-W-E-E-T!!!!!!!!!!

Keep the progress reports coming along with pictures.

And good luck!!
 
I had one of those, red convertable.

8BA canadian block, isky stuff, laSalle box, and converted shocks.

Went very well for a 16 year old driver. Was my first car. I been hooked since, hehe.
 
Nice car!

It's your car so good luck whatever you decide to do.

Were it me, I'd restore it stock. Check out the rising value of stock, flathead Ford-powered cars....they are really climbing. Meanwhile, having a modern V-8 in these old sedans is almost "common".
Even some "new" hot rods are reverting to using flatheads.
 
Thanks for your nice comments. Other than being slightly lowered, the car will be stock appearing both inside and out, not going with the shaved, slamed, fat tired, chopped, hacked up, whore house interior look. I definitely need the AC for the wife, the upgraded suspension for safety and comfort. I could possibly use a late flathead, they're about 100 hp. The V60 is just that, 60 hp., the car would be worse performing than a 36hp VW bus. The nice thing about restoring old Fords is the ready availability of parts from a variety of suppliers.
 
If you look closely at this picture you'll see "Seabiscuit" lurking outside of my shop. This is the car I traded my last TR3A for...and my wife still hasn't forgiven me.

I sold it a couple of years ago to finance some shop tool acquisitions.

If I owned that '39 I'd get it running and enjoy it for awhile. No hurry to street rod it. The V8-60's are getting pretty rare with many already having been converted to 59A/8BA engines or late OHV jobs. I drove "Seabiscuit" all around my neighborhood for a summer and got great reviews from everybody. An unrestored car can bring MORE smiles per mile than a fancy one.

BTW...The V8-60 engine/trans should be worth at least $900 to $1000.00 because of their rarity...they are very much in demand. I saw one sell for $1500.00 this spring at the Jefferson, WI swap meet.

Back in the 90's I had some big plans for my '35 Ford sedan...302, AUTO, Cougar leather seats, moon roof, etc. Thinking back I just couldn't imagine having actually driving a car like that today. I've really changed my tastes in the last five years and prefer real hot rods and stockers rather than 'street rods'. The street rod crowd is so concerened with fancy valve covers and shiny wheels while I now prefer DRIVING my cars rather than worrying about the next new billet aluminum part that comes on the market.

Just my two cents...

d564f541.jpg
 
A period rod (about late 40s) would be awesome.

A built flatty with 3 Stromberg 97s, painted wheels with trim rings and Ford logo baby moons, wide whites....would be kickin.

Something a little like this under the hood:

59AB-3.jpg


Something like this outside:

39tudor.jpg
 
Just last evening we went to a hosted function at a local Ford dealership and they had a rock-stock '35 Ford stake-bed truck on the showroom floor. I peeked into the engine bay thru the louvers expecting to see valve covers and was pleasantly surprised to see the original flatty in there. Bit tatty under-hood but unmolested for the most part. Neat to see 'em in original form.
 
Sidevalves rule!
 

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"Hey, buddy! Where's th' REST of yer engine?!?!" /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/devilgrin.gif
 
Yea, I know there are alot of ways to go with these old cars. A 302 is not all that original but at least it is not the really boring 350/350 combo. Wife has MS and suffers terribly in the heat so an AC is mandatory. As with the TR4 we plan on putting some miles on it. A FI 302 will give decent fuel mileage and reliability. What would be really cool is a 312 Ford Y block in there. I have had alot of interest in the V60, whats with that, how are they being used?

My father is 82 and lives in Peshtigo WI; wants to go to Iola this year, we went about 4 years ago. Deep fried cheese curds and beer; health food Wisconsin style.
 
What?!? No lutefisk?!?! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/devilgrin.gif

Lutefisk insight
 
Hey Doc, if you mean my engine, that's all there is and all it needs. It's enough to push the Prefect up to just over 50 mph. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/driving.gif

And Mark, if you really want to update that engine, I agree completely with a Ford instead of the usual 350 GM. I do think you would like the 302 much better than an old Y-block. If you have never had to work on one of those beasts, I can assure you they are not fun. Everything is way to heavy and hard to reach.
 
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