1940 Ford restoration

[Seth Swoboda]

Back in 2018 I purchased a '40 V8 (Standard) Tudor from a local man. I started a thread back then, "1940 Ford Tudor survivor, saving another one". I have finally made some progress on this project. I'll start a new thread about the restoration here and update as I move forward.

Progress is slow, two kids, wife, jobs... you know the story. Yes, I know it's stupid to take a V8 Tudor to this level of restoration but I enjoy it.

So here it is. This car was rough although the pictures would have you believe otherwise. So far I have been able to source mostly NOS parts and all my fasteners are from Third Gen Automotive. I'm keeping my V8 Ford all Ford.

Big thanks so far to my friend Alex, my dad Tom, Michael Driskell at Third Gen Automotive, Fred at Southside Obsolete and Mike Dermond. Oh and thanks to the EFV8 Club for the new 1940 Ford book.

I'll keep updating as work progresses.

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by Seth Swoboda

Back in 2018 I purchased a '40 V8 (Standard) Tudor from a local man. I started a thread back then, "1940 Ford Tudor survivor, saving another one". I have finally made some progress on this project. I'll start a new thread about the restoration here and update as I move forward.

So here it is. This car was rough although the pictures would have you believe otherwise. So far I have been able to source mostly NOS parts and all my fasteners are from Third Gen Automotive. I'm keeping my V8 Ford all Ford.

[rockfla]

Looking good Seth. Keep up the good work and Us posted on the progress.

[Seth Swoboda]

I'll add that the rear end was rebuilt at the Third Gen shop. 3.54 rear ratio. Michael and Jane are the best. Engine I put together after machine work was completed. Transmission I did myself with the aid of Van Pelts book.

[Zax40]

Personally I love the 39 and 40 Tudor Sedans. I think it is a great candidate for this type of project. Can't wait to see how it turns out

[19Fordy]

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CONGRATS Seth on the great progress. It's a beauty and well worth it.

[35fordtn]

Looking Spiffy Seth!

[Lawson Cox]

Hey. Looking great. I have been down that road on a 34 and 36, plus I built my avatar pickup out of parts gathered from everywhere, even a fan from NZ. I call it "a truck that never was".

[Ford46]

Looking great Seth! Going be a very nice 40 Tudor for the family to enjoy.

[TJ]

Seth, looking good so far and we'll be along for the ride updates.

[47topless]

The choice of the moon shiners. Take out that back seat and the trunk partition, beef up the springs, and a feller could carry gallons and gallons!!! Damned that must have been an exciting, and sometimes lucrative, occupation.

[Kube]

This one excites me. I know you'll do it proud!

[39portlander]

Great pics and a nice story Seth, I know this will come out as nice as your 39 pickup.

[deuce_roadster]

I have no doubt Seth that you will earn a Dearborn with your attention to detail! I personally like the V8 cars better than the Deluxe versions, particularly the front view. ( I have one of each). With a family, a sedan makes a lot of sense. Nice to take another couple with you on a drive also. Can't do that in a coupe!

[mhsprecher]

Good work, Seth. I wish I had your ambition.

[JayChicago]

Originally Posted by mhsprecher

Good work, Seth. I wish I had your ambition.

X2. I don't have the ambition or the skills to do a restoration. Me and my one-repaint survivor Ford V8 Tudor will be watching with great interest. Thanks for sharing.

[Seth Swoboda]

Yesterday evening I riveted the nos brake linings to my Ford shoes. There has been some recent discussion here about reproduction brake shoes not passing quality control, so to speak. Well, I recommend you fellas not throw away your Ford brake shoes and reline them. I have an old time brake riveter. Picked it up years back from a local man. I don't use it a lot but when I need it, it's handy. I'm 42 years old and I got this from a man my father knew about 20 years ago. Makes this job easy. Oddly satisfying, riveting these shoes on. I'm weird.

Oh and check out the NOS lining from Southside Obsolete. Fits like a glove.

[Bored&Stroked]

Thanks for the story and update Seth - you're doing a fantastic job on the ole' girl!

[Chris in MA]

Nice work Seth. Keep it up.

[rockfla]

Originally Posted by Seth Swoboda

Yesterday evening I riveted the nos brake linings to my Ford shoes. There has been some recent discussion here about reproduction brake shoes not passing quality control, so to speak. Well, I recommend you fellas not throw away your Ford brake shoes and reline them. I have an old time brake riveter. Picked it up years back from a local man. I don't use it a lot but when I need it, it's handy. I'm 42 years old and I got this from a man my father knew about 20 years ago. Makes this job easy. Oddly satisfying, riveting these shoes on. I'm weird.

Oh and check out the NOS lining from Southside Obsolete. Fits like a glove.

A lot of my customers reline their brakes on shrimp boat wenches and use BRASS machine screws with lockwashers and nuts on the back side, makes it a lot faster and easier to reline the shoes than rivets. Even some of my "BIG" truck repair shops reline the Semi shoes the same way!!!

[Zeke3]

The advantage of using a rivet is that the body of the rivet will swell to fill the hole tightly as it is being upset.

[Fred A]

The no BS question is whether Seth can keep on track for an authentic restoration with all the fawning. I have appreciated the challenge and commentary that the pundits can offer. With no standing in the critique and having an active '40 project, I hang on their well- schooled advice. Even a pundit can be mistaken. That leaves us with the task of evaluating and making our own judgement. Tell Seth what we see while he can fix it easily. Good Luck: Fred A

[DavidG]

Seth,


You're not weird. I have the K. R. Wilson version of the riveter and it is so easy to use that it can't help but being satisfying. There are plenty of restoration tasks that are on the other side of the ledger.

[Charlie ny]

Seth,
Seems like yesterday....great job....my best to you and Tom !!
Charlie ny

[Seth Swoboda]

I managed to get a few items done over the weekend. I was pretty busy, working all day Saturday. I got some small chassis parts painted Friday after work. Sunday afternoon I assembled the rear brakes and the drums are on.

I'm using a paint I've never tried before. On a suggestion from a good friend (Third Gen) I'm using Tamco Chassis Black. It's a gloss black. It took a minute to figure it out but it needs mixed 4:1:1. Single stage. 1 part hardener and a strong 1 part medium reducer. I'm not a pro painter. I use a HVLP gun, have an air dryer after my compressor, filter after the dryer and a desiccant filter on the gun. All my color will be shot professionally.

Also, I know I need to install cotter keys. I usually make sure fit and finish is good before I key everything. I hate putting a key in just to remove it later. I also need some correct type fasteners from Third Gen when he has a minute.

Later this week the front spindles, brakes, ect.... will go together. I bought a NOS kingpin set and installed new bushings. However I have the spindles at a shop getting the bushings honed to fit.

Oh, I also rebuilt my U Joint. New cross bearing. In preparation for the engine and transmission install.

Last night I was media blasting the shocks that came with this car. As I suspected they are incorrect for '40. The hunt is on........

[rockfla]

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Seth


Man you are moving along pretty steady with it.....Where did you buy the Tamco paint? I am envious of you having the "weather" to be able to paint...It is so damn hot down here and the humidity is SO high I'd be afraid to paint anything now!!! looking good my man!!

[Seth Swoboda]

Originally Posted by rockfla

Seth


Man you are moving along pretty steady with it.....Where did you buy the Tamco paint? I am envious of you having the "weather" to be able to paint...It is so damn hot down here and the humidity is SO high I'd be afraid to paint anything now!!! looking good my man!!

I bought it off their web site. I phoned it in. I'm young enough to figure out an online order but I hate automation at times. I like to talk to people when I have a question.

Anyway, last Friday we got a break in the humidity & temps. It was about as perfect as it gets for summer here in Southern Illinois. This week we're back to 95+ and 110% humidity.

I'm going on a parts run this weekend. Just over the river into Missouri for a gas tank and some nos '40 parts. It's going to be 95 here on Saturday so after work I'll go for a drive.

I should mention, we live on a 40 acre property. Beef cattle and goats. So there is always plenty of maintenance to do. TV? Don't watch it. Work, 2 kids, play with old Fords and sleep.

[Fred A]

Seth, If you are going to earn your Dearborn, you might take a look at your transmission. I tried earlier to drop a hint that a more critical look at your project might be more useful than the flattery. Well none took the challenge, and you still don't show a 1940 transmission behind the engine. The later trans may not be detectable by the misleading part number on the rear of the case. From the top the venting screams the difference. Don't fall in love with that 01A. Good Luck: Fred A

[35fordtn]

Seth glad you tried tamco. Their “murdered black” base is the blackest black I’ve ever seen, even more so than PPG concept 9300

[Seth Swoboda]

Originally Posted by Fred A

Seth, If you are going to earn your Dearborn, you might take a look at your transmission. I tried earlier to drop a hint that a more critical look at your project might be more useful than the flattery. Well none took the challenge, and you still don't show a 1940 transmission behind the engine. The later trans may not be detectable by the misleading part number on the rear of the case. From the top the venting screams the difference. Don't fall in love with that 01A. Good Luck: Fred A

I've had some hints. They were private. I will fix a few items. Some of them I need to find the parts yet.

[Fred A]

I didn't just know the difference. At the time I was doing the transmission, I went through my case pile looking for appropriately low 1940 serial numbers. After the war they went to a more complex numbering system. The difference was only obvious when sitting among the pile. I'm committed now as the engine/trans is in the rolling chassis. Financial limitations caused me to keep the existing 59A engine. The 59A is so nice, it'd be a crime to waste. My ultimate candidate engine is a crack free 99A.


I thought about private. My expectations on the Barn cause me to be more open, as there could be another needing to know the difference. Good Work: Fred A

[cmbrucew]

Anyway, last Friday we got a break in the humidity & temps. It was about as perfect as it gets for summer here in Southern Illinois. This week we're back to 95+ and 110% humidity.

Seth
I lived in Franklin county in the 1950s and the forestry service had a billboard on hwy. 37 showing current temp and humidity. I remember 100 degrees, and 100% humidity for like two weeks in a row. Never saw 110%
Bruce

[Seth Swoboda]

Originally Posted by cmbrucew

Anyway, last Friday we got a break in the humidity & temps. It was about as perfect as it gets for summer here in Southern Illinois. This week we're back to 95+ and 110% humidity.

Seth
I lived in Franklin county in the 1950s and the forestry service had a billboard on hwy. 37 showing current temp and humidity. I remember 100 degrees, and 100% humidity for like two weeks in a row. Never saw 110%
Bruce

110% was my over exaggeration. You know though how humid it gets here.

[Charlie ny]

Seth,
See below
Charlie ny

[Charlie ny]

Seth,
I have four '40 trans cases....PM me.
Charlie ny

[larrys40]

Seth,
Is that Warren’s old car from okaville? I know he drove it for many years but it needed a lot. Probably an understatement !
Looks good. Have my 48 coupe im shooting for Dearborn but have lots of A work in the mix as well so we’ll see how it goes. Let me know if you need something. I have a cache of stuff here and there but plan on driving my 40 for years to come so have to keep some of it too.
If you get in the st Charles area give me a holler.
Larry

[cmbrucew]

Seth
Are you getting any of that rain in your area?
Bruce

[Seth Swoboda]

Originally Posted by larrys40

Seth,
Is that Warren’s old car from okaville? I know he drove it for many years but it needed a lot. Probably an understatement !
Looks good. Have my 48 coupe im shooting for Dearborn but have lots of A work in the mix as well so we’ll see how it goes. Let me know if you need something. I have a cache of stuff here and there but plan on driving my 40 for years to come so have to keep some of it too.
If you get in the st Charles area give me a holler.
Larry

Larry,

Yes it is Warren's car. It did need a lot of work. When it's done Warren probably won't recognize it. I'll do the car good.

Seth

[Seth Swoboda]

Originally Posted by cmbrucew

Seth
Are you getting any of that rain in your area?
Bruce

Bruce,

Last week I caught a total of 7.3 inches of rain in the gauge. Most of it was on Tuesday and another .9 on Thursday afternoon.

Overnight into the early morning hours I caught 2.2 inches of rain. We're plenty good for August here in my part of the Midwest. I didn't hear the storms though, I was dreaming of V8's.

[Seth Swoboda]

It's been a while since I posted. Here is a quick update on the chassis. I'm putting the dash back together and I'll post some photos of that soon. I've had a few other V8 projects that I have been working on that has taken up some spare time also. I'm having fun and the body work will start soon. I'm waiting on some shock work to get completed and they will go on. It's not perfect but I think it's respectable.

If you're on Instagram you can follow this and my other V8 adventures there as well.

[35fordtn]

Looking great Seth!

[Seth Swoboda]

Originally Posted by 35fordtn

Looking great Seth!

Thank you. I get a little help from my friends

[maverick_is_dangerous]

nice work!