The Ford Barn

don's 37 · 10-16-2012, 11:29 AM

There's a 55 Fairlane for sale on *bay and shows the front clip removed from the car exposing the front crossmember. You guy's have been saying that these crossmembers rot out. But why? It don't look anymore different than any other crossmember.

raceron1120 · 10-16-2012, 12:24 PM

I can't answer why but just know that they do. Maybe not all of them but it's certainly something that should be scrutinized when contemplating purchasing one of these cars. Want to see bad? Here (sorry about picture size differences):

It was so bad that I had to chain the arms up just to move the car:

Mine may be an extreme example but I've heard horror stories about how some have found 'home-made' fixes done by patching & undercoating them etc. Just something to beware of. The original xmembers have 'weep' holes in them supposedly to let moisture drain out but instead they seem only to trap salt and other debris inside, then rot out over time.

Here is mine after the Xmember was replaced:

don's 37 · 10-16-2012, 02:24 PM

Thanks for the photos. By the way, nice work!

Y-Blockhead · 10-16-2012, 03:25 PM

The main reason the rust out is because the ends are open by the frame and the center of the x-member is lower than the ends. Water becomes trapped. If Ford had just put more than one hole in the center to allow any water that accumulates to drain then maybe then it wouldn't be such a problem (Mine has drain holes now).

But then of course over the years debris would clog the drain holes and it would rust anyway if the holes were not cleaned occasionally. How many of us routinely clean the drain holes in the doors and bodies of our cars??

Shoot the only major rust on my '55 Ranchwagon (See my avatar) is the right rear quarter panel and that was because someone in the last 55+ years stuffed newspaper in there??? not allowing the water to flow out.

JohnSunliner · 10-16-2012, 10:07 PM

Is this cross member the same in the '54 with the same rust issue? I heard 54 and 55 have the same frame.

JohnSunliner · 10-16-2012, 11:13 PM

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RaceRon, Thanks for posting your photos! I am at the stage where I need to pull the front fenders and refresh everything. I am pulling a 6 out and putting in a 302 and c6. Your photos are an inspiration, hope my Sunliner will look that nice when I finish.

raceron1120 · 10-17-2012, 04:38 AM

Thanks, credit for the work on my car goes to John (streetdreams both here and on the HAMB). I'm not sure if the front Xmember is same for '54 & '55 but I'm quite certain the '56 is not same as the '54. There have been vendors here, on the HAMB and on ebay that sell replacement crossmembers so a search for specific years may answer your question about interchangeabity.

10-16-2012, 11:29 AM	#21
don's 37 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Palmyra, NY Posts: 195	Re: Fairlane Question There's a 55 Fairlane for sale on *bay and shows the front clip removed from the car exposing the front crossmember. You guy's have been saying that these crossmembers rot out. But why? It don't look anymore different than any other crossmember.

10-16-2012, 12:24 PM	#22
raceron1120 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ellsworth Michigan Posts: 1,807	Re: Fairlane Question I can't answer why but just know that they do. Maybe not all of them but it's certainly something that should be scrutinized when contemplating purchasing one of these cars. Want to see bad? Here (sorry about picture size differences): It was so bad that I had to chain the arms up just to move the car: Mine may be an extreme example but I've heard horror stories about how some have found 'home-made' fixes done by patching & undercoating them etc. Just something to beware of. The original xmembers have 'weep' holes in them supposedly to let moisture drain out but instead they seem only to trap salt and other debris inside, then rot out over time. Here is mine after the Xmember was replaced: Last edited by raceron1120; 10-16-2012 at 12:36 PM.

10-16-2012, 02:24 PM	#23
don's 37 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Palmyra, NY Posts: 195	Re: Fairlane Question Thanks for the photos. By the way, nice work!

10-16-2012, 03:25 PM	#24
Y-Blockhead Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Redondo Beach, CA Posts: 5,849	Re: Fairlane Question The main reason the rust out is because the ends are open by the frame and the center of the x-member is lower than the ends. Water becomes trapped. If Ford had just put more than one hole in the center to allow any water that accumulates to drain then maybe then it wouldn't be such a problem (Mine has drain holes now). But then of course over the years debris would clog the drain holes and it would rust anyway if the holes were not cleaned occasionally. How many of us routinely clean the drain holes in the doors and bodies of our cars?? Shoot the only major rust on my '55 Ranchwagon (See my avatar) is the right rear quarter panel and that was because someone in the last 55+ years stuffed newspaper in there??? not allowing the water to flow out. Last edited by Y-Blockhead; 10-16-2012 at 04:02 PM. Reason: Spelling

10-16-2012, 10:07 PM	#25
JohnSunliner Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Seattle Posts: 85	Re: Fairlane Question Is this cross member the same in the '54 with the same rust issue? I heard 54 and 55 have the same frame.

10-16-2012, 11:13 PM	#26
JohnSunliner Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Seattle Posts: 85	Re: Fairlane Question Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) RaceRon, Thanks for posting your photos! I am at the stage where I need to pull the front fenders and refresh everything. I am pulling a 6 out and putting in a 302 and c6. Your photos are an inspiration, hope my Sunliner will look that nice when I finish.

10-17-2012, 04:38 AM	#27
raceron1120 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ellsworth Michigan Posts: 1,807	Re: Fairlane Question Thanks, credit for the work on my car goes to John (streetdreams both here and on the HAMB). I'm not sure if the front Xmember is same for '54 & '55 but I'm quite certain the '56 is not same as the '54. There have been vendors here, on the HAMB and on ebay that sell replacement crossmembers so a search for specific years may answer your question about interchangeabity.