The Ford Barn

ab_36ford · 03-05-2022, 10:22 PM

So I'm running a '40 axel and wishbones on my '36 sedan. It came with a sway bar and I've decided to run that too. I've split the wishbones and I'm getting ready to heat them up and move them to match the shackles, and i just want to make sure I'm doing this right. The instructions that came with the transmission kit mentioned that the front hole for the swaybar cushion bracket should go into the hole for the 3rd rivet back on the frame. With it all mocked up, it's the rear hole that lines up, and it won't move back anymore, if I try to, the sway bar will hit the cross-over. So I just want to make sure it's all good. Thanks fellas

-Andrew

fordor41 · 03-05-2022, 11:08 PM

40 &41 are basically the same. I'd jack up axle to about ride height and see how the sway bar "swivels" look. there is only so much travel when the swivel moves. On our '41 with the front axle lowered about 3", there was enough movement still in the swivel for them to operate correctly. moving the mounts "may" pivot the swivel back too much and limit their travel

petehoovie · 03-05-2022, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ab_36ford

So I'm running a '40 axel and wishbones on my '36 sedan. It came with a sway bar and I've decided to run that too. I've split the wishbones and I'm getting ready to heat them up and move them to match the shackles, and i just want to make sure I'm doing this right. The instructions that came with the transmission kit mentioned that the front hole for the swaybar cushion bracket should go into the hole for the 3rd rivet back on the frame. With it all mocked up, it's the rear hole that lines up, and it won't move back anymore, if I try to, the sway bar will hit the cross-over. So I just want to make sure it's all good. Thanks fellas

-Andrew

hotcoupe · 03-06-2022, 09:34 AM

I put a '40 sway bar on my '37 1/2 ton and had to trim the front cross member slightly (to clear the sway bar).

Tom

19Fordy · 03-06-2022, 03:49 PM

I don't know if 36 anf 40 frame rails are the same but, the measurement from the front end of the 1940 frame rail to the front of the piece that bolts the sway bar to the frame
is 5 1/2 inches as measured along the frame rail. I just measured this on my 1940 Ford driver side frame rail. There are 2 frame rail rivets visible in front of that "bolt on" piece.

V8COOPMAN · 03-06-2022, 05:28 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by 19Fordy

[B] I don't know if 36 and 40 frame rails are the same.

Hey Jim....FYI, the frames are NOT identical. They are similar-enough that it is safe to state that a stock 1940 FRONT end, and a 1940 REAR end will directly bolt-into a '36 frame. All of the important dimensions like above are identical. Details like rear motor mounts, center member connecting the 'X' rails, and front crossmember 'drop' can be slightly different, and of course, there are differences in details with years having mechanical brakes vs hydraulic brake models. Torque tubes/drive shafts are swappable, lengthwise. Front wishbone dimensions are the same when measuring from the BALL, straight forward to the hole in front crossmember that locates CENTER BOLT in front leaf spring. DD

blucar · 03-07-2022, 12:22 PM

I hate to be picky, but, the front stabilizer bar that is being discussed is not a 'sway bar' it is a bar to minimize body roll.

Ford did not utilize a sway, track/panhard bar until 47-48 on the rear of the cars.
I have one on the rear of my '36 Ford.
A sway/track bar has a solid connection, axles to frame in lieu of a movable link that attaches the body roll-up torsion bar to the axle.

19Fordy · 03-08-2022, 11:20 AM

Just a few photos. Don't forget to install the little canvas pad between the stabilizer mounts and the frame rail. I made pads from an old inner tube in 1978. It's still there. Longer Speed Bleeders used to make the job easier. The little piece of leather is used to wrap around the Walker radiator drain petcock. Spring is Reversed eye Posie and perch bolts are double nutted to protect the threads.

Scott McDermott · 05-03-2022, 04:16 PM

HotCoupe, do you have any pictures of your set up? I'm wanting to put a sway bar on my 37 1/2 ton as well.

Pete · 05-03-2022, 04:34 PM

Splitting the wishbone is fine if you are building a race car or don't mind a poor quality ride for the street. Also, on a car with fenders a split wishbone is hard to see so the "cool" factor is a minimum.
You won't need a front anti roll bar with a split wishbone.
There are books in the library that tell you how all this works.

03-05-2022, 11:08 PM	#2
fordor41 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: elmira,ny Posts: 1,518	Re: Running a '40 swaybar on my '36, am I doing this right? 40 &41 are basically the same. I'd jack up axle to about ride height and see how the sway bar "swivels" look. there is only so much travel when the swivel moves. On our '41 with the front axle lowered about 3", there was enough movement still in the swivel for them to operate correctly. moving the mounts "may" pivot the swivel back too much and limit their travel

03-06-2022, 09:34 AM	#4
hotcoupe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: imperial,mo Posts: 694	Re: Running a '40 swaybar on my '36, am I doing this right? I put a '40 sway bar on my '37 1/2 ton and had to trim the front cross member slightly (to clear the sway bar). Tom Last edited by hotcoupe; 03-06-2022 at 05:22 PM.

03-06-2022, 03:49 PM	#5
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 10,951	Re: Running a '40 swaybar on my '36, am I doing this right? I don't know if 36 anf 40 frame rails are the same but, the measurement from the front end of the 1940 frame rail to the front of the piece that bolts the sway bar to the frame is 5 1/2 inches as measured along the frame rail. I just measured this on my 1940 Ford driver side frame rail. There are 2 frame rail rivets visible in front of that "bolt on" piece.

05-03-2022, 04:16 PM	#9
Scott McDermott Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2020 Posts: 7	Re: Running a '40 swaybar on my '36, am I doing this right? HotCoupe, do you have any pictures of your set up? I'm wanting to put a sway bar on my 37 1/2 ton as well.

05-03-2022, 04:34 PM	#10
Pete Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wa. Posts: 5,409	Re: Running a '40 swaybar on my '36, am I doing this right? Splitting the wishbone is fine if you are building a race car or don't mind a poor quality ride for the street. Also, on a car with fenders a split wishbone is hard to see so the "cool" factor is a minimum. You won't need a front anti roll bar with a split wishbone. There are books in the library that tell you how all this works.