FINALLY…T5 WITH Torque Tube in a ‘35-’40 Ford...The WHOLE STORY!

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by V8COOPMAN

Heard and Flat Ernie mentioned the possible use of a '34 torque tube and drive shaft. During the last couple of weeks while Heard and I were discussing measurements and methods for shortening the torque tube, Heard mentioned to me that he thought that a modified T-tube length should probably be about 61-7/8". Now while I'm not usually good for very much of anything, I have this uncanny thing about remembering certain numbers. I thought I remembered a '33-'34, V8 T-tube length being something like 61-13/16" (NOTE: 4-cylinder T-tubes and d-shafts are 1-1/2" shorter than V8). Sure enough, when I checked my notes, Heard's measurement indicated that in all likelyhood, a V8 torque tube from the aforementioned '33-'34 models should bolt-in "as-is"....un-modified! I suppose it's also possible that the driveshaft may have worked as well, but we didn't get that far, as we didn't have a '34 d-shaft to measure accurately.

I'm not surprised that Flat Ernie was already on to this nifty bit of old Ford trivia, 'cuz I was aware several years ago that Ernie had the desire to eventually adapt one of these Jeep-influenced T5s into his '40 coupe with a blown French flathead, along with it's T-tube and banjo rear end. Ernie's sweet coupe sure would be a "sleeper" in this guise.



Obviously, Ernie had already done quite a bit of engineering and homework on his own. As many of you will note, Flat Ernie has long been recognized on the FordBarn and the HAMB as the "Go-To" T5 guru. As Ernie and Heard noted, this project is certainly much easier to accomplish than it sounds like initially. I'm hoping that this thread has at least encouraged a few to consider this mod on their own cars. DD

Dang, how about those apples? Now I just need to scurry up a '33-'34 rear before the prices skyrocket.

[Heard]

Hmmm.......I just went out there and measured my new shortened torque tube because I wanted to see how close I was to my initial 61 7/8. It is now actually exactly 62" overall.

Please don't use that 62" number though. Make your own measurements. Your results may vary depending upon whose adapters you use as well as other subtle differences.

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by Tim Ayers

Dang, how about those apples? Now I just need to scurry up a '33-'34 rear before the prices skyrocket.

You don't need the whole rear end. Just the torque tube, and maybe the drive shaft from a V8 rear end. Remember, the 4-cylinder parts are 1-1/2" shorter. DD