1940 standard tudor survivor, saving another one.

[Seth Swoboda]

Fellas, My dad (Tom) and I just purchased this 1940 standard tudor. The previous owner bought it off a used car lot in Southern Illinois in 1971. He did some light body work, repainted it and replaced the interior material and drove the heck out of it up until 10 years ago. It has sat in his shed since then.

About two years ago I paid a visit to the owner about an unrealated matter. I knew that years ago he owned a 1940 ford and while we were talking I asked him if he still had the car. He told me he did and then asked if I wanted to see it. Of course I did! He showed me his '40 tudor and his early V8 parts collection that included 3, 59A flathead engines, 3 transmissions, boxes of distributors, carbureators, starters, generators and lots of other small items all related. Then I asked him if he wanted to sell the parts. At the time he did not. Before I left I gave him my phone number and asked that when he wanted to sell the parts to please give me a call.

Two weeks ago I ran into the man at my wifes grandfathers 80th birthday party. Turns out they know each other. He approched me and asked if I wanted to talk "Ford". I'm always ready for a V8 conversation. He told me he was ready to sell his parts and his car. However, if I bought the car the parts had to be in on the deal as well. The following week dad and I went to view the collection and a deal was struck. We are now the owners of a 1940 standard tudor.

Our plans are for a restoration. A very nice correct restoration that we can drive and enjoy. I'd like to be able to load the family up in this car for touring and EFV8 club meets.

[Seth Swoboda]

More photos.

There is only some minor surface rust in a few places. The body is straight, virtualy dent free and no rust out to be seen. There is a replacement 59A engine in the car that is currently not running. I do have a correct 221 engine for it already.

[Seth Swoboda]

A few more from moving day

[skidmarks]

I would just drive it the way it is. Nice find!

[mike42]

I agree with Skidmarks.........just clean it up and ride !!

Very nice !

[Graeme / New Zealand]

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Very nice Seth. What happened to the Austin Healey that is behind the v8 in the first pic?

GB

[A bones]

Sure to put a song in your heart.

[1934]

Very nice car, Seth! Have fun with it. Glad to hear you will be restoring it!
Doug.

[cavecreekjake]

1940 Tudor Standard was my high school car.... Will have another one one of these days.
Nice find !

[corvette8n]

Great save, enjoy working on your new car.
39/40 Ford sedan models were made by AMT you can find them on EBay, great way to test out color schemes.

[JM 35 Sedan]

Hi Seth, very nice find!! I have always liked that slopping rear body style used by Ford on the '38 to '40 sedans

[Seth Swoboda]

Originally Posted by Graeme / New Zealand

Very nice Seth. What happened to the Austin Healey that is behind the v8 in the first pic?

GB

The Austin Healey is a 1964 3000. Six cylinder, essentially 6 speeds with the overdrive. He is keeping that car. It will be going to his daughter and son in law.

By the way, you have a good eye. I was wondering who would spot that car in the photo.

[Tony Martino]

Why restore it?
It is perfectly fine just the way it is.
If it gets restored it wil loose all of it's personality.
Just my $.02

[Mart]

A very nice car. Personally, I too would be prepared to just clean it up and run it as an "old Car".

An excellent find.

Mart.

[40cpe]

I agree, it is too nice to restore. The running board rubber even looks good.

[BABAR40]

What a nice car! I am also a member of the drive it like it is choir. But it's all yours so do as you wish. My "3 years at the most" rebuild has hit, drum roll please, 21 years. Had I only known.

[Seth Swoboda]

You guys have me thinking about this drive it as is idea. The interior is pretty much 1970's vinyl and smells pretty bad from being closed up. It will require an engine build, radiator cleaning/check and I'd go through the transmission for sure. The overall condition of this car was just too good to pass up. At least that is what I told my wife!

[39topless]

You one lucky guy. (talking about your wife). For the car's interior aroma problem, how about placing several open boxes of baking soda around on the seats and floor. Might help.

[V8COOPMAN]

Spritz-up the interior and spray some "Smell-Good"! New engine, trans, re-do the radiator, along with some new wires and tires (the whitewalls look pretty-good on that car). Crank 'er up and GO! You'll be cruisin' by the end of summer if not sooner, and you don't have to worry about scratches and fingerprints. Besides, you'll save UMPTEEN tens of thousands by foregoing the wonderful services of KUBE's '40 resto shop. DD

[Seth Swoboda]

Originally Posted by V8COOPMAN

Spritz-up the interior and spray some "Smell-Good"! New engine, trans, re-do the radiator, along with some new wires and tires (the whitewalls look pretty-good on that car). Crank 'er up and GO! You'll be cruisin' by the end of summer if not sooner, and you don't have to worry about scratches and fingerprints. Besides, you'll save UMPTEEN tens of thousands by foregoing the wonderful services of KUBE's '40 resto shop. DD

LOL! Kube does a great job. We have always done our own work at home in the shop. I have never turned out a "Kube" level of restoration but they are very nice drivers say a #2 level.

[Ol' Ron]

If you restore it to original, you'll have to remove the safety belts. The 239 is a beyyer engine.

[Seth Swoboda]

Originally Posted by Ol' Ron

If you restore it to original, you'll have to remove the safety belts. The 239 is a beyyer engine.

You are correct. Just depends what direction dad and I want to go with the car. Ron, I have a 221 engine that is .080 overbore. Do you happen to know the cubic inch displacement? I'll look for the calculations otherwise. Is it 231?

[V8COOPMAN]

Hey Seth.......Your stuff always looks "top shelf", and I know you's guys do it yourselves. Nevertheless, I was only implying (with a possible bit of humor) that ANY kind of reasonably-complete resto will still cost you beaucoup thousands of dineros, and that that particular car cleaned-up and detailed as suggested above will probably afford mucho more fun, and will draw way more of a crowd at gatherings than ANY fully-restored '40 sedan. DD

[Seth Swoboda]

Originally Posted by V8COOPMAN

Hey Seth.......Your stuff always looks "top shelf", and I know you's guys do it yourselves. Nevertheless, I was only implying (with a possible bit of humor) that ANY kind of reasonably-complete resto will still cost you beaucoup thousands of dineros, and that that particular car cleaned-up and detailed as suggested above will probably afford mucho more fun, and will draw way more of a crowd at gatherings than ANY fully-restored '40 sedan. DD

Oh I gotcha, no big deal. Hey COOPMAN how far off am I on the cubic inches of that 221 bored .080 over, is it around 231?

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by Seth Swoboda

You are correct. Just depends what direction dad and I want to go with the car. Ron, I have a 221 engine that is .080 overbore. Do you happen to know the cubic inch displacement? I'll look for the calculations otherwise. Is it 231?

I came-up with 232.68. DD

[Seth Swoboda]

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Originally Posted by V8COOPMAN

I came-up with 232.68. DD

Ok we're close enough. I though my math was bad but we are pretty close I think.

[Graeme / New Zealand]

Originally Posted by Seth Swoboda

The Austin Healey is a 1964 3000. Six cylinder, essentially 6 speeds with the overdrive. He is keeping that car. It will be going to his daughter and son in law.

By the way, you have a good eye. I was wondering who would spot that car in the photo.

Seth lots of "pommy" ( Limey...no offence Mart ) cars here in NZ. There's always a good crop of them at the local British car day.

GB

[mercman from oz]

What a great find. You are one lucky man.

[Steves46]

Great score! Hope you and your family have a terrific time with her. Steve

[Anton Voycheck]

Nice find.

[41panelmark]

Nice car/find!!

[Lawson Cox]

Nice find. get it road worthy and drive the wheels off. Save mega bucks at the same time.

[Half-Fast Motors]

Originally Posted by Lawson Cox

Nice find. get it road worthy and drive the wheels off. Save mega bucks at the same time.

What he said.....

[39portlander]

Seth a great story/pictures and now in good hands. A great way to spend time with your father.

Thankfully this car is now in "protective custody" and not some "chop shop" Scott

[Marcus]

Dear Seth - Magnificent find; now clean it up, put a car seat in it, and give the keys to the beautiful Nichole! You already have plenty of toys! Seriously, try to find a local "Alpine Air" dealer and borrow an air purifier for a weekend: had a mouse to expire in one of the convertibles over a long winter ..... The stench was incredible. Used the Alpine Air for a weekend on "high ozone" setting ....... Smell gone and not to return (removed said critter, of course)! Hope all is well with you and yours!

[Seth Swoboda]

Originally Posted by Marcus

Dear Seth - Magnificent find; now clean it up, put a car seat in it, and give the keys to the beautiful Nichole! You already have plenty of toys! Seriously, try to find a local "Alpine Air" dealer and borrow an air purifier for a weekend: had a mouse to expire in one of the convertibles over a long winter ..... The stench was incredible. Used the Alpine Air for a weekend on "high ozone" setting ....... Smell gone and not to return (removed said critter, of course)! Hope all is well with you and yours!

Marcus, we are all doing well. Ainsley is 16 months, walking, talking, more fun than a flathead ford. We'll have to go through the chassis, drive line and all the mechanical things for sure. The engine is pretty tired. I assume all is well with you and your family. Hope we can meet up again soon. Thanks for the kind words.
Take care,
Seth

[Seth Swoboda]

Originally Posted by 39portlander

Seth a great story/pictures and now in good hands. A great way to spend time with your father.

Thankfully this car is now in "protective custody" and not some "chop shop" Scott

Scott, this is what I told my dad. We can't let someone put a SBC under the hood!! We'll treat the car right and I'll post pictures as we start to dig into this.

[Mike in AZ]

great score.....have fun.....Mike

[Seth Swoboda]

I'll keep posting photos here as the project moves forward in an effort to keep this all in one thread.

Transmission rebuild is complete. 29/15 trans gear combination for a 3:54 rear gear.

[39portlander]

Seth, the three speed on my 39 P/U was a fun chapter on my resurrection. Mac's In's and out's is a great reference and all his parts I used shift like butter Scott

[waterboychuck]

Nice looking car.

[Walt Dupont--Me.]

Originally Posted by Seth Swoboda

Oh I gotcha, no big deal. Hey COOPMAN how far off am I on the cubic inches of that 221 bored .080 over, is it around 231?

Seth, I'm building one of those 40 221 engines right now for a 39 4dr rag top, removed the sleeves and bore .045 makes a 239 BUT, i'm also installing a 4in. crank that will make 255 engine, with those A and a stock cam will make a torquey little engine, I've built quite a few with the 3-3/16 bore and stock 8BA pistons, you can feel the torque and runs smooth as a kitty. I have all my engines balanced. Walt

[WRA]

Beautiful car, but the wrong car to restore. That's a perfect the way it is. I'll walk right past a dozen restored cars to see and appreciate an original car. Enjoy.

[Seth Swoboda]

Sunday 7/16/17

I started the tear down of the FHV8 engine for the 1940 tudor project. What I found so far is the cylinders are standard bore. I measured them at 3.065 or 3 1/16. One of the cylinders looked pretty cruddy and had some rust. I just picked this engine up in May and I really have no idea of it's history. Going to take it down and off to the machine shop to check the block for cracks.

I'm soaking the cylinders this week for hopefully easy removal of the pistons soon.

After, we also had time to set the Lawson 2.5 hp Frost King, hit and miss on its newly fabricated cart. Off topic but thought some folks might enjoy.

I'll keep posting updates as I progress.

[Seth Swoboda]

A few more photos

[Sid the Maineiac]

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Truly a great find! Enjoy the full/partial resto on this cool old gem !

[Seth Swoboda]

This car has some rust issues on the frame rail and the floor pans. The frame rails are what i consider a must fix. If this car were in better shape overall I would have cleaned it up, got it running and mechanically safe to drive. I'm involved with the EFV8 Club and this car would not have passed for a Rouge class. It has had a repaint and the interior replaced already. Also, it currently has a 59A engine that is stuck. The previous owner used this car as a daily driver up into the 1980's, therefore it shows some wear.

[Cecil/WV]

Way to go, Seth. You know what my driver looks like, and it has been in '48 states since 10/1/2010, California twice. I do love a nice paint job, though!

[Seth Swoboda]

Originally Posted by Cecil/WV

Way to go, Seth. You know what my driver looks like, and it has been in '48 states since 10/1/2010, California twice. I do love a nice paint job, though!

This body is coming off since there will be a section of frame rail replaced. I'll have it at a V8 meet some year.

[Seth Swoboda]

This past weekend I continued the engine tear down. I'll post some photos later. I found some interesting things inside. About half the valves were the mushroom stem type the other half straight stem. No big deal. The last guy who was in this engine used 8BA connecting rods and crank. Try removing those 8BA rods without removing the crank in a 221 cubic inch engine. Not going to happen. Can you imagine how hard this guy worked to cobble this assembly together. Regardless, the crank journals are 30/30. Pretty much used up. The hunt is on for 21A rods and the proper crank.

It's amazing what you will find inside these engines when you open them up from a 70 plus year sleep.

[Seth Swoboda]

We got the last of the valves out this past weekend. Two of the one piece guides were a little stubborn and took some work. It's off to the machine shop now for block inspection.

I found some really interesting things with this engine.

1. 1946-1951 crankshaft
2. 8ba rods
3. combination mushroom and straight stem valves
4. standard bore 3.0625
5. rods and mains on the later crank were .030 under
6. valve chamber was clean and virtually sludge free
7. no ridge on cylinders

It appears this 221 engine had a rebuild shortly before it was taken out of service. However the cylinders did not require an over bore. I think the cylinders would have cleaned up with a hone except 2 of them have some pitting from rust in them. Now, I need to locate a 1939-1942 crankshaft. I believe I have some 21A rods found.

[Seth Swoboda]

Update on the engine build progress. More photos to follow.

[Seth Swoboda]

more engine rebuild photos

[Seth Swoboda]

More engine build photos and the transmission after I rebuilt it. The plug wires are just for mock up. I have new correct wires as of last week from Third Gen Automotive.

The cylinders cleaned up at 60 over. The crankshaft is a NOS Ford Canada. I did use a later 42-48 camshaft. The transmission I used a 29/15 tooth gear combination because I'm going with a 3:54 rear end ratio. Should turn out real nice.

[AlexLohmann1]

Nice job! Another quality rebuild. May want to shout out the rest of the suppliers in case anyone asks.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

[RKS.PA]

Right about now, Seth, you have to be feeling pretty good about your progress!! As I followed along, I kept hoping there'd be no cracks in the block....seems like you got a "good" one!! Thanks for sharing your progress....well done.


Dick.

[Seth Swoboda]

Originally Posted by RKS.PA

Right about now, Seth, you have to be feeling pretty good about your progress!! As I followed along, I kept hoping there'd be no cracks in the block....seems like you got a "good" one!! Thanks for sharing your progress....well done.


Dick.

Thanks! I'll start the chassis restoration next. It needs it.

[Mart]

Nice work, Seth, It looks great.

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by Seth Swoboda

You guys have me thinking about this drive it as is idea. The interior is pretty much 1970's vinyl and smells pretty bad from being closed up. It will require an engine build, radiator cleaning/check and I'd go through the transmission for sure. The overall condition of this car was just too good to pass up. At least that is what I told my wife!

Didn't realize this thread was two years old. Thanks for the progress picts.

[Seth Swoboda]

Originally Posted by Tim Ayers

Didn't realize this thread was two years old. Thanks for the progress picts.

I've been slowing plugging away at this project. Two young daughters and work keep me busy. Thanks.

[hook00pad]

Seth, the '40 looks great, as is! If you don't mind saying, in what part of Southern Illinois is your shop located? I am near Paducah, Ky and would like to visit sometime if you wouldn't mind. I have a non-stock '48 Ford tudor with an Olds engine.

Thanks, Al Hook

[Seth Swoboda]

Al, I'll send ya a PM on my location. I'm just a hobbyist. My goal here is a Dearborn award from the EFV8 Club. I like to participate in their events so I thought heck why not?

[Marvin/TN]

I have an original sale pamphlet for the 1963 Healey 3000. Thought about buying one when I was stationed at RAF Mildenhall Suffolk England in the UASF. Could have got one with just about all of the extras including both tops and wire wheels for about $3000.00.
But 2 stripers didn't make a lot of money back then. After I left England to go to Rhine Main AFB Frankfurt Germany I later bought a 65 VW and shipped it home with my British wife. VW has been long gone but still have the wife 54 years later, guess I'll keep her now since I don't have time to train another one.

[LBs 37V8]

Originally Posted by Seth Swoboda

I'm just a hobbyist. My goal here is a Dearborn award from the EFV8 Club. I like to participate in their events so I thought heck why not?

Besides, those girls are gonna need something cool to drive their boyfriends around in...

Looking good, Seth! Considering you’re still gainfully employed, with young children, you’re making great progress. Amazing

[Seth Swoboda]

Originally Posted by LBs 37V8

Besides, those girls are gonna need something cool to drive their boyfriends around in...

Looking good, Seth! Considering you’re still gainfully employed, with young children, you’re making great progress. Amazing

Thanks Bryan. My daughters will probably have to teach their boyfriends how to drive a 3 speed column shift!

[JM 35 Sedan]

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Keep plugging away on it Seth. Looking good!

[JWL]

My compliments to the two of you!! I too am the owner of a 40 two door std. It has seen many miles and been the subject of thousands of questions from onlookers. Sadly, I have to admit, I have not driven it for several months and it is filthy. Wife says I should just sell it if I am going to ignore it.

[Bigmac48]

Great find ,change the fluids new set of plugs ,fresh gas check tire pressure and breaks throw a towel on the front seat ,open the windows and front vent and take it for a ride and let the old girl air out ..be safe ,enjoy