I want to do the right thing with my '32. Advice appreciated...

[Floyd]

To your question, Egge of piston fame poured Babbitt bearings as of a couple of years ago. Good guys. Give them a call. They know what they are doing.
My opinion

[Charlie Stephens]

Check out any rebuilder you are considering in the archives. If the name has a symbol in it look for "A&B" (not a real company) in Google. Be sure to include the "".

Charlie Stephens

[Bored&Stroked]

Other things to think about:

1) Brakes: I have original mechanical brakes on my 32 and they are in tip-top shape. They are fine around the country roads, but not something that I like to rely on at freeway speeds. I'm not worried about ME, I am worried about cars that constantly "fill the gap" I leave to the car in front of me . . . my braking distance keeps getting consumed by others and I can't fix that.

2) Tires: Even if you put some good hydraulic brakes on the car, consider the tires you're running. I have put some quite expensive Excelsior Radials from Coker on my 32 . . . they about 1/2 look like bias plys, but they are radials and handle as such. On the grooved pavement of SoCal, you'll really like the difference that better tires make. Also, you will probably have much better braking in addition to steering - if you go with a wider tire and associated 'contact patch'.

3) Lights and Signals: The freeways are like one big competition driving exhibition -- super crowded, running at very high speeds, with very little safe distances to help you. This makes having dual tail lights, directional signals/blinkers and good headlights a must. The stock 32 stuff needs to be upgraded to make you much more visible to others.

4) Safety in General: if you drive on the freeway a lot, you're putting yourself at higher risk of having a dangerous accident - where you may be hurt as a result. I love my 32, but the thought if driving it on the super crowded freeways of SoCal on a regular basis - no thanks. One bad day can cause some serious injury or death (to you and the car) . . . you have no airbags, no seat belts, no 'crumple zones' . . . nothing to protect you on any side. I might drive my car on days when the traffic is lighter (which is only during a few times on the weekends), but the rest of the time it is madness in my eyes. I grew up in SoCal and just spent a couple weeks out there - driving ALL over the place during the various (or one might say constant) rush hours. I would NOT be comfortable in my 32 for most of the trips I took.

I'm not trying to put a wet blanket on your goals - just trying to make you think about the COMPLETE picture of what you want to do.

Best of luck!
D

[DavidG]

Quibble, quibble, quibble, but with respect, the block in the first photo with the amazing intake ports is a B.

[jim galli]

Leave the banger. Move to central Nevada.

[DavidG]

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With respect, since Pilots weren't sold in the States, that would be something of a challenge to find an engine for one locally.

[tony starr]

Any photos you can post of the '32? We love photos around here.

--

[rotorwrench]

Some differences were mentioned earlier about the model B and model 18 but the rear axle & drive line weren't mentioned. The V8 had its own drive line. It seems like there was a difference in the K-member too but I don't know all the details about that. Many a 32 was rodded over the years and I'm sure V8s have been going into B models since these cars were getting worn and parts became available. Some of these old model Bs should remain that way just for posterity if nothing else. They aren't common any more. Clone V8s cars are likely more common that model B cars.

[FritzJr]

Both B's and V8's used the early (Model A style) rear end for most of the '32 production. The late ('33 -'34 style) rear was not introduced until later in the year.

[Charlie Stephens]

Originally Posted by FritzJr

Both B's and V8's used the early (Model A style) rear end for most of the '32 production. The late ('33 -'34 style) rear was not introduced until later in the year.

Also, no difference in the K member between the V8 and B.

Charlie Stephens

[Ol' Ron]

Don't forget the brakes, you might want to stop the Dulce as well

[Floyd]

Yes , brakes!
I would recommend you read up on brake floaters for your mechanical brakes. When done reading, order a set of floaters from Flathead Ted ( no one else and not any other type). Install these and check all pins, links etc and you will have good brakes.
I have Ted's floaters on my 32 and I think they are as good as the hydraulic brakes on my 40. I drive in southern Cal.
just an opinion

[Charlie Stephens]

Since the subject of brakes has come up I though I would show the way I mounted my master cylinder. The rod coming through the K member attaches to the original unmodified brake pedal. I also relocated the battery to the right side of the car but if I had it to do today I would look into the Optima batteries.

Charlie Stephens

[40 Deluxe]

Originally Posted by FritzJr

Both B's and V8's used the early (Model A style) rear end for most of the '32 production. The late ('33 -'34 style) rear was not introduced until later in the year.

Somewhere I read that torque tube and driveshafts were different lengths between the B and V8. any truth to that?

[Andy]

No, all the same.
The difference was between the early and late production rear ends. The shafts and torque tubes are not interchangeable.

[Charlie Stephens]

Originally Posted by 40 Deluxe

Somewhere I read that torque tube and driveshafts were different lengths between the B and V8. any truth to that?

The different lengths you read about were in the '33 and '34 years. The '32 had the same length for both the 4 and 8.

Charlie Stephens

[v8nut]

I also have a stock '32 Model B 5 window. I just put a 36% Mitchell Over Drive in it to make it more drive able in traffic. I haven't driven it much yet but I think it will go as fast as I want with mechanical brakes. Jim

[Charlie Stephens]

Another often overlooked fact when people talk about how fast you can go with a '32 Ford is that the front fenders act like airplane wings making the car light in the front and uncomfortable to drive at high speeds.

Charlie Stephens

[pooch]

The main reason I gave up on original cars and went hotrod.

Love my Model A/s, but the highway that I live by and have to contend with all the suicide pilots made me anxious every time I went for a drive.

So they all got updated mechanicals underneath.