Gonna go look at a '30 5 window coupe this weekend. The body seems pretty decent and the price is not too crazy so I may buy it. From what I can tell it has a late model 5.0 engine, probably out of a early 90's mustang... carbed but with the serpentine belt drive up front. Has some kind of IFS up front.

I'm pretty much a traditionalist so I'd want to lose the serp drive and replace the IFS with a traditional straight axle.

I think the engine wouldn't be too big a deal, but has anyone here gone from an IFS setup back to a traditional I-beam & wishbone setup?

Is it possible to get a traditional front axle setup to handle halfway decent?


What else specifically should I look for when checking out a hot-rodded A for sale?

cracks.....

Are you talking about in the frame? where are they most common?

If I do find cracks, can they be easily repaired? Or does this indicate that the frame will need to be replaced?

x2 ..... we had photos of a failed ifs on here a while back, Look for shoddy repairs welds etc.

Shane

Yeah, that's one of the things I really do not like about this A right away... I would want to go back to a traditional straight axle.

edit: I did a search and found that thread about the failed IFS on that '32... yikes!!

Try and see how much of the front frame is still intact,where the original front crossmember goes. You can purchase new model A crossmembers to re-vert back to a dropped axle,but you will have a buttload of work doing it!Did they have to alter the front fenders for the I.F.S.? This would all add up money wise. Even if it's a decent price now,if you have to change alot, is the end price you spend to make it what you want going to make the car cost more than it's worth? My first rod was a Model A,neat cars, but not worth alot in comparison to later 32-4,35-7,and 40-8 rods!

We do not know specifics of that front end failure, only photos of the aftermath. It is speculative at best to bring into question all IFS setups.

Vince

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My project 34
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As a general rule, IFS under a Model A ... looks about as ugly as this.

When you move up to 33 and up Fords ... the fenders generally hide the ugly. A straight axle still looks the best to me ...



Here is a Model A coupe with a IFS ... See how high the fenders are cut from the factory on a Model A ( below ) and allow you to see everything ??



Unfortunately, a lot of rodders tried to put a IFS under their Model A ... not because of a engineering advantage but because the owners read a bunch of magazine hype. Also some owners were CHEAP and thought that would be a easy way to get newer steering and disc brakes.

Disclaimer ::
It is well documented here and elsewhere that I am not a fan of IFS under a early car ( pre 1933 )



I have a straight axle set up under BOTH of my early Fords ...

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I went to the school of hard knocks ... where the tuition is high but the retention is exceptional !

Or spend a few (a lot!) bucks and do this with the front suspension:



Dave W

That look's good under one Dave!!When done right!!!!$$$$