40 rear end in a Model A

M

Mike/Nebraska

Senior Member
I'm tinkering with a Model A speedster project and I was wondering if 40 axles front and rear would work and look right. It'll be fenderless. Does anyone have input on this.
 
Driveshaft is longer, the springs are before the axle in the front, behind in the rear, it would shorten the wheelbase
 
What actually looks right?? Only you can determine.
Who is to say what is right? Only you.

Unless you are building to please someone else.
 
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In a speedster you will probably not notice the width difference
There are bolt on spring brackets available to put spring on top of axle rear

If you’re running a modified motor the 40 rear end will take more abuse
Next link in the chain will be the transmission

John
 
The '40 rear is about 1" wider, not a problem on an open-wheeled car. If you use the '40 spring mount the rear will be closer to the front of the car, this will put more weight on the rear end, which will help traction and balance of the car. If you then move the front axle ahead the same amount it will keep the wheelbase the same but be even better traction and comfort-wise. The '40 front axle has its spring perches farther apart so require a different spring although maybe the stock '40 spring will work, but shorten the wheelbase even more, you may not like that. Consider using a '32-'34 front axle, the look a bit better and will lower the front end a bit.
 
Model A axle or later through 1934 would be the best up front. The model A front fits as is if the wishbone is in the same location. Changing the wishbone would be required if a 32 K-member is used. The model A axle is easier to drop than the 1935 & later front axles.

The rear axle would require shortening of the torque tube and the driveshaft would be best if modified to a tubular type as is mentioned in the Bishop/Tardel AV8 book. I wouldn't bother unless your going to a V8. I wouldn't trust the bolt on over the axle spring hangars. I would either go weld on or I'd extend the frame back 7.5" and use a spring to fit whatever rear crossmember is used. Most folks step the frame back by the rear crossmember to lower the car down.
 
carefully consider the aesthetics. most home built speedsters look just like that. home built


there is a reason why everyone wants their car to look like a Mercer or Stutz- its called beauty.
 
I have a 1941 Rear axle under my speedster I like the stance. Up front I used a dropped tube axle which I widened to match the rear axle width. I used all the bits off the 1941 axle and the juice brakes all the way around.
 
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