1940 series 40 frame vs 1942 series 40 frame. Help please!

[1941g506]

Hello all, my 1942 frame has unfortunately been subframed with a modern crown vic subframe. I am putting this car back to original. I found a complete running 1940 series 40 chassis. Is it possible to swap this chassis over? My car is a 2 door sedanette. Thanks 

[1941g506]

Anyone? Hopefully going to purchase next week. 

[2carb40]

8 hours ago, 1941g506 said:

Anyone? Hopefully going to purchase next week. 

French Lake Auto has a 1942 Bu spec 2 dr Sedanette with frame still under it. They will ship ask for Kody. If that doesnt work pm for details of car in phoro. 1-320-274-8497 Kody

Edited August 4, 2021 by 2carb40 (see edit history)

[60FlatTop]

That Crown Vic subframe swap doesn't require as much chopping as some. You may want to carefully remove it ans see what it takes to repair their handiwork. It might be a lot easier than you think.

 

The '39 and '40 frame rails stop over the rear axle on the 40 series. The later frames will go all the way to the bumper.

[1939_Buick]

On 8/5/2021 at 7:20 AM, 60FlatTop said:

The '39 and '40 frame rails stop over the rear axle on the 40 series. The later frames will go all the way to the bumper.

Off topic a little (as image)

Early 1939 S40 & S60 had the short chassis. Had issues so mid production the full length long chassis was introduced. 1940 was long chassis and different wheel base

 

On topic

1940 S40 & 1942 S40 have the same wheelbase (121 inch), but there may be differences

Edited August 13, 2021 by 1939_Buick (see edit history)

[1941g506]

Thanks guys this is the full length as shown in the last photo. I'm assuming some body mounts may be different but if it's the same wheelbase it should work? 

[1941g506]

[Ben Bruce aka First Born]

14 hours ago, 60FlatTop said:

That Crown Vic subframe swap doesn't require as much chopping as some. You may want to carefully remove it ans see what it takes to repair their handiwork. It might be a lot easier than you think.

 

The '39 and '40 frame rails stop over the rear axle on the 40 series. The later frames will go all the way to the bumper.

 

  I thought only EARLY 1939s had the short rails!

 

  Ben

14 hours ago, 60FlatTop said:

That Crown Vic subframe swap doesn't require as much chopping as some. You may want to carefully remove it ans see what it takes to repair their handiwork. It might be a lot easier than you think.

 

The '39 and '40 frame rails stop over the rear axle on the 40 series. The later frames will go all the way to the bumper.

 

[60FlatTop]

Now that the frame subtleties have been sorted out don't overlook the comment about removing the Crown Vic parts and repairing the original frame. I would expect that to be the better way to go.

[1941g506]

So this is what I've currently got to work with as far as going back to original using the original frame. 

[2carb40]

On 8/4/2021 at 7:17 AM, 1941g506 said:

Anyone? Hopefully going to purchase next week. 

Just a suggestion, finding something that doesnt match, is close and/cheap or slightly quicker to acquire, may seem great short term, however, that impatience could come back to bite later. If you decide to repair/replace front frame clip, its no less reliable than the clip thats been welded on previously. Im very confident French Lake auto would cut the matching frame front clip and ship it thats under the 1942  Buick Spec 2dr sedanette sitting in their 'Buick row' right now! Just sayin. Good Luck!

[1941g506]

The frame clip above is a 42. The question was will the entire 40 frame work. The clip above should.be a direct swap. Thanks for you help!

[60FlatTop]

It looks like the Ford crossmember is just sitting there not bolted in. If you really want to put it back to original slide the Ford parts out and take a real good look at what those little beavers did. I still think you are ahead by fixing the mods if that's your route.

Strongly suggest you find some way to get behind the wheel of a good '42 similar to yours to have a really good idea what the end product will be. They are good cars and have a good reputation but those are mostly the opinion of old guys. You are at the entry fee level right now. From here out costs will be pretty close to a Roadmaster or a convertible. Something to consider.

[1941g506]

I'm fairly certain after taking some measurements my frame may be a later 1940 and appears to be the same dimensions as my 42. 

[2carb40]

Hollander interchange manuals have listings for frame interchanges. They dont list them as interchanging unless its bolt for bolt. The change may work but may require some modification small or large. They have interesting notes in some cases detailing what parts sellers did to make things work. Frame shops used to have to repair frames damaged in wrecks, but Im guessing modern shops dont have frame specs or even do much with cars with frames rather than 'unibody' vehicles. Street rod shop or heavy truck shop could probably put clip back on accurately and weld reliably.

[frogboy]

I have a 41 buick sedanette sitting in my garage if interested

[drhach]

He dumped that car a long time ago. He has other ads here where he posted it for sale. I contacted him to try to get some parts off of it and he said it was sold. The last post to this thread was two years ago. The OP hasn't posted since September of 2021.