The Ford Barn

Diastole · 03-25-2024, 03:10 PM

I purchased a early 1930 Coupe, oval speedometer. The engine has been swapped for an April 1929 motor prior to my ownership. Alas, the former owner passed away and his wife has little knowledge of her husband's car.

As I am trying to improve some of the coupe's shortcomings and repair misadventures I am ready to tackle the franken-chassis that is her clamshell. As you can see from the pics, the bottom hole does not line up. Five of the six holes match. Can anyone help me with a diagnosis and possibly a solution?

In the article "Authentically Speaking, Edward Francais and George DeAngelis discuss the holes at 2 and 10 o'clock being misaligned not 6 o'clock. See Photo. And, this article discussed the first 1,000 Model A's. Not this vehicle.

The Clamshell does not leak anymore than normal, and the car runs.

Is there a solution?
Any concerns with driving this car?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Diastole

johnbuckley · 03-25-2024, 03:54 PM

The fifith picture seems to show that the " clam shells" are lined up OK but the gasket is misaligned ... this article by Steve Plucker may help http://www.plucks329s.org/studies/studies_ujoint.html You may need to undo the bolts again and ensure the gasket is correctly placed... Most (maybe all?) of the gaskets from suppliers have elongated holes in certain positions making them a universal gasket for whichever clam shells you have. Last time I did mine I marked the top of the gasket to aid fitting . [ secret dodge ... cut the new gasket cleanly so you can slip it over the UJ without dissassembling everything and use a good gasket sealant also as a belt and braces approach

Tom Endy · 03-25-2024, 03:58 PM

Old Henry set you up for this problem almost 100 years ago. He did it just to confuse and confound the future Model A kingdom.

https://www.santaanitaas.org/wp-cont...ion-Hook-1.pdf

Tom Endy

Gene F · 03-25-2024, 04:53 PM

Try moving the bottom one to the top, if the gasket is not in the proper orientation.

By the way, I think there is a little metal ring in between the front piece, and the two halves. make sure that is oriented correctly too.

oldspert · 03-25-2024, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Endy

Old Henry set you up for this problem almost 100 years ago. He did it just to confuse and confound the future Model A kingdom.

https://www.santaanitaas.org/wp-cont...ion-Hook-1.pdf

Tom Endy

My Canadian built 29 Special Coupe has this hook. Build dates show March of 1929.

Ordsgt · 03-25-2024, 09:20 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

There were 2 different clam shells and the bolt pattern was slightly different My understanding was the early ones 28-mid 29 had a bolt pattern that was not symmetrical and the later ones were. I found the problem changing transmissions. The back of the tranny adapter also was 2 bolt patterns to match the clam shell. It would appear you have mismatched clam shell and trans adapter

CT Jack · 03-25-2024, 10:06 PM

You have 7 of the 8 fasteners securely installed which makes the clam shell function per design intent. Rather than struggling with making the one misaligned hole accept a bolt I would use the outer hole as a locator and mark where the the mating misaligned hole is interferring. Disaasemble the halves and drill out the marked hole in a drill press. Secure the part before drilling to prevent walking.

nkaminar · 03-26-2024, 05:42 AM

The clam shell was changed in June of 1929 when the ear (lug) on top was eliminated from production. See the Service Bulletins page 350 (page 125 in the book), figure 713. The old design and the new design holes do not line up.

jeepguy1948 · 03-26-2024, 10:16 AM

I won’t say that I can see it for certain in your pictures but when I bought my RPU I discovered the same (or a similar) problem. The top half and the bottom half are different but mine had the same one top and bottom. It takes awhile to sort that out when you are new to Model As. Also, as stated above, the lug was dropped.

Joe K · 03-26-2024, 08:09 PM

Matched clam shells and rear bearing retainers are readily available. As in less than $25 for the set of three.

Ebay, Berts, other places have them. Gentleman in Lexington, MA probably has a set he will give you for postage.

If you can figure out if the transmission rear bearing retainer bolts are "equal spaced" or "uneven spaced" you can buy only the correct clamshells required and save a couple of bucks - and the hassle of a "tear down."

Joe K

03-25-2024, 03:58 PM	#3
Tom Endy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern California Posts: 3,131	Re: Holes not lined up on Universal Housing Old Henry set you up for this problem almost 100 years ago. He did it just to confuse and confound the future Model A kingdom. https://www.santaanitaas.org/wp-cont...ion-Hook-1.pdf Tom Endy Last edited by Tom Endy; 03-25-2024 at 04:36 PM.

03-25-2024, 04:53 PM	#4
Gene F Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,973	Re: Holes not lined up on Universal Housing Try moving the bottom one to the top, if the gasket is not in the proper orientation. By the way, I think there is a little metal ring in between the front piece, and the two halves. make sure that is oriented correctly too.

03-25-2024, 09:20 PM	#6
Ordsgt Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Yorktown Virginia Posts: 182	Re: Holes not lined up on Universal Housing Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) There were 2 different clam shells and the bolt pattern was slightly different My understanding was the early ones 28-mid 29 had a bolt pattern that was not symmetrical and the later ones were. I found the problem changing transmissions. The back of the tranny adapter also was 2 bolt patterns to match the clam shell. It would appear you have mismatched clam shell and trans adapter

03-25-2024, 10:06 PM	#7
CT Jack Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Hebron, CT Posts: 432	Re: Holes not lined up on Universal Housing You have 7 of the 8 fasteners securely installed which makes the clam shell function per design intent. Rather than struggling with making the one misaligned hole accept a bolt I would use the outer hole as a locator and mark where the the mating misaligned hole is interferring. Disaasemble the halves and drill out the marked hole in a drill press. Secure the part before drilling to prevent walking.

03-26-2024, 05:42 AM	#8
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,897	Re: Holes not lined up on Universal Housing The clam shell was changed in June of 1929 when the ear (lug) on top was eliminated from production. See the Service Bulletins page 350 (page 125 in the book), figure 713. The old design and the new design holes do not line up. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

03-26-2024, 10:16 AM	#9
jeepguy1948 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2022 Posts: 721	Re: Holes not lined up on Universal Housing I won’t say that I can see it for certain in your pictures but when I bought my RPU I discovered the same (or a similar) problem. The top half and the bottom half are different but mine had the same one top and bottom. It takes awhile to sort that out when you are new to Model As. Also, as stated above, the lug was dropped.

03-26-2024, 08:09 PM	#10
Joe K Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Cow Hampshire Posts: 4,188	Re: Holes not lined up on Universal Housing Matched clam shells and rear bearing retainers are readily available. As in less than $25 for the set of three. Ebay, Berts, other places have them. Gentleman in Lexington, MA probably has a set he will give you for postage. If you can figure out if the transmission rear bearing retainer bolts are "equal spaced" or "uneven spaced" you can buy only the correct clamshells required and save a couple of bucks - and the hassle of a "tear down." Joe K __________________ Shudda kept the horse.