1940 Ford restoration

Seth Swoboda

Seth Swoboda

Well-known member
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.
 

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Seth Swoboda said:
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.
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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.
 
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
 
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".
 
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.
 
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!
 
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.
 

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Seth Swoboda said:
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.
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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!!!
 
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