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Old 04-26-2024, 08:34 AM   #1
Cheaterpete
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Default Merc 1939 axle in a 32 frame need help with torque tube lenght

Hello Everyone

Long time I haven't posted

I currently working on a 32 roadster project and I have a complete 39 axle for it.
Could someone share the torque tube and axle lenght mesurements ?

i guess the torque tube will be 43 cm shorter but not completely sure

Thanks a lot
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Old 04-26-2024, 08:51 AM   #2
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Default Re: Merc 1939 axle in a 32 frame need help with torque tube lenght

Torque tube length is 73-3/4" (approx) measurement......4" longer than the 39 Ford. Axle length is the same as 39 Ford.
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Old 04-26-2024, 08:52 AM   #3
deuce lover
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Default Re: Merc 1939 axle in a 32 frame need help with torque tube lenght

Peter,I don't know about the 39 torque tube length to shorten to fit in a 32 BUT If using a 33,34 rear you shorten the torque tube and driveshaft 8 9/16 inches.Not sure if this helps.
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Old 04-26-2024, 09:08 AM   #4
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Default Re: Merc 1939 axle in a 32 frame need help with torque tube lenght

Put "Drive shaft length" or "Torque tube length" in the search box, hit enter, read up

and you could narrow the result by putting 32 in the front of each search
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Old 04-26-2024, 09:24 AM   #5
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Default Re: Merc 1939 axle in a 32 frame need help with torque tube lenght

Pete
IF memory serves me right, you should see the 4" added splice part to the torque tube somewhere just "AFT"??? of where the rear radius rods attach or right at that spot

Last edited by rockfla; 04-26-2024 at 09:30 AM.
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Old 04-26-2024, 04:54 PM   #6
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Default Re: Merc 1939 axle in a 32 frame need help with torque tube lenght

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If you are running fenders you will probably find that the rear end is too wide.

Charlie Stephens
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Old 04-27-2024, 10:47 AM   #7
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Default Re: Merc 1939 axle in a 32 frame need help with torque tube lenght

The early Mercury has a drive shaft that is integral to the pinion. It's all one piece which makes it difficult to modify. The ring and pinion can be replaced for the axle but a drive shaft will have to be fabricated.
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Old 04-27-2024, 10:56 AM   #8
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Default Re: Merc 1939 axle in a 32 frame need help with torque tube lenght

You can not use the 32 stock length, as the later (35 & up) diffs are about 9/16 longer at the pinion snout because of the bigger pinion and bearings.
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Old 04-28-2024, 04:23 AM   #9
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Default Re: Merc 1939 axle in a 32 frame need help with torque tube lenght

Thank you all for your inputs

I will share photos of the progress asap

For now I'm there, and only real hot rodders will understand and smell thoses pictures
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Old 04-28-2024, 05:50 AM   #10
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Default Re: Merc 1939 axle in a 32 frame need help with torque tube lenght

Pete. I shared the torque tube and driveshaft lengths I used in my 32 build in one of my videos.
Here's a link: https://youtu.be/-mOo2eZX_2U?list=PL...tv75lSAjWveT0o

If you read the description I go through the lengths.

Note: If I were doing it again I would make them both about 6mm shorter to give better clearance at the rear crossmember.

Last edited by Mart; 04-28-2024 at 06:01 AM.
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Old 04-28-2024, 06:27 AM   #11
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Default Re: Merc 1939 axle in a 32 frame need help with torque tube lenght

This is what I have in my '32


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Old 04-28-2024, 01:52 PM   #12
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Default Re: Merc 1939 axle in a 32 frame need help with torque tube lenght

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cheaterpete View Post
Thank you all for your inputs

I will share photos of the progress asap

For now I'm there, and only real hot rodders will understand and smell thoses pictures


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Old 04-28-2024, 10:56 PM   #13
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Default Re: Merc 1939 axle in a 32 frame need help with torque tube lenght

Remember you will need to rework the spring to get it to fit the '32 crossmember. Note curve of '32 spring shown in the photo.

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Last edited by Charlie Stephens; 04-28-2024 at 11:02 PM.
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Old 04-28-2024, 11:27 PM   #14
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Default Re: Merc 1939 axle in a 32 frame need help with torque tube lenght

Quote:
Originally Posted by Charlie Stephens View Post
Remember you will need to rework the spring to get it to fit the '32 crossmember. Note curve of '32 spring shown in the photo.

Charlie Stephens
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Old 04-29-2024, 12:00 AM   #15
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Default Re: Merc 1939 axle in a 32 frame need help with torque tube lenght

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mart View Post
Pete. I shared the torque tube and driveshaft lengths I used in my 32 build in one of my videos.
Here's a link: https://youtu.be/-mOo2eZX_2U?list=PL...tv75lSAjWveT0o

If you read the description I go through the lengths.

Note: If I were doing it again I would make them both about 6mm shorter to give better clearance at the rear crossmember.
Many thanks Mart, this is very helpful

Regards

Pete
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Old 04-29-2024, 06:14 PM   #16
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Default Re: Merc 1939 axle in a 32 frame need help with torque tube lenght

Nobody can truly answer this for you - as it all depends on exactly where you mount the rear and how you mount it (front to back). Obviously, the spring location on a stock 39 rear is in a completely different location that on a 32 - 34 rear. This is a situation where being a 1/2" off isn't going to cut it.

I would mount the rear in the car as you want it (and only use maybe the main leaf of whatever spring you're using . . . to achieve the approximate ride height that you'll end up with. Then you can measure things and determine as close as possible the final length. Initially cut the torque-tube a bit long and tack it together - then see how it fits. Then modify it to get it exactly right. This requires the 32 transmission mount and the front piece (clamshell front ball) that the drive-shaft socket rides against.

Another idea is once you cut your current Torque-Tube in 2 pieces, go get a chunk of 3" PVC pipe to run from your front piece to the back - to sort of manually mockup the length. You can screw with the PVC to get the final length figured out - before you make any final cuts to the driveshaft pieces. PVC is cheap - torque tubes are not.

Get the torque tube length correct - then worry about the drive shaft.
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Old 04-29-2024, 07:56 PM   #17
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Default Re: Merc 1939 axle in a 32 frame need help with torque tube lenght

I've got a shortened later tube around here Unsure of history. ?? 52 5/8 " overall looks to be a 37/40 style Might have come with some '32 hot rod stuff. Newc
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Old 04-30-2024, 12:06 AM   #18
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Default Re: Merc 1939 axle in a 32 frame need help with torque tube lenght

Again, thank you all for your help
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Old 04-30-2024, 08:18 AM   #19
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Default Re: Merc 1939 axle in a 32 frame need help with torque tube lenght

I was thinking about this dimension last night.


Mart's length is 1339mm/52.716"
My length is 1349mm/53.125"


I would use Mart's dimension since last year, hitting a large dip in the road at speed, I scraped a little paint off of my differential.




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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~---------------
Rumble Seat's NotesTechno-Source for the 1932 thru 1953 Flathead Ford
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Old 04-30-2024, 08:20 AM   #20
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Default Re: Merc 1939 axle in a 32 frame need help with torque tube lenght

well noted, i will use Mart measurement
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