The Ford Barn

Clinton · 10-06-2014, 03:45 PM

1929 Closed cab pickup ... does any one know the torque specs for the castle nuts on the front U-Bolts? Thanks, Clint

Mike V. Florida · 10-06-2014, 03:48 PM

Ford did not use torque wrenches when the a was built. Ant value will be based on the size of the "bolt", threads and the use of a torque chart.

Patrick L. · 10-06-2014, 03:56 PM

Torque specs,,, Tight !

Just get them good and tight, thats all thats needed.

Indiana A. Lover · 10-06-2014, 03:58 PM

Mike V Florida Did Clinton ask for a smart ass reply to his question for torque value on his A no he did not. So you must be a expert on all things Ford. Just next time think before you act like that. Don in Indiana

MikeK · 10-06-2014, 04:03 PM

The general assumption about original Ford steel fasteners is they were at least equal to today's Grade 5. Use that torque table with discretion, not all things should be that tight.

MikeK · 10-06-2014, 04:07 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Indiana A. Lover

Mike V Florida Did Clinton ask for a smart ass reply to his question for torque value on his A no he did not. So you must be a expert on all things Ford. Just next time think before you act like that. Don in Indiana

The only thing "smart ass" in this thread is your post. Mike V. is absolutely correct. No torque wrenches or values during the Model A era.

Y-Blockhead · 10-06-2014, 04:36 PM

I agree with what both Mikes said. I usually refer to the torque chart in the back of the 'Model A Mechanics Handbook' but also take into account that some of the bolts on my car are ~84 years old and have been tighten a few times (stretched).

Clem Clement · 10-06-2014, 04:37 PM

At my age I give it what I got, and be sure to install the split pin

Fred · 10-06-2014, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indiana A. Lover

Mike V Florida Did Clinton ask for a smart ass reply to his question for torque value on his A no he did not. So you must be a expert on all things Ford. Just next time think before you act like that. Don in Indiana

Just one question, Why did "YOU" not think before posting the above ??

msmaron · 10-06-2014, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indiana A. Lover

Mike V Florida Did Clinton ask for a smart ass reply to his question for torque value on his A no he did not. So you must be a expert on all things Ford. Just next time think before you act like that. Don in Indiana

STUPID Comment.. The answer given by Mike V was the correct answer to the question....the question about "thinking" should apply to yourself...

Patrick L. · 10-06-2014, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indiana A. Lover

Mike V Florida Did Clinton ask for a smart ass reply to his question for torque value on his A no he did not. So you must be a expert on all things Ford. Just next time think before you act like that. Don in Indiana

A smart ass reply was not asked for, and, one was not given.

fredski · 10-06-2014, 05:17 PM

I torqued mine 40 pounds. just thought it was good enough ,

fredski

msmaron · 10-06-2014, 05:19 PM

I don't think as a matter of fact i even used a torque wrench,, just tightened the ba-jebbers of of them..got that cotter pin in and done..

CarlG · 10-06-2014, 05:22 PM

Henry's "Torque Wrenches" consisted of a series of single use wrenches, that when used could only apply the maximum torque by the average assembly line worker. For instance: the wrench used to tighten the pan bolts was a small wrench with a short handle, therefore the mechanic was not able to "over torque" the small pan bolts. On the other hand, the wrench used for "torqueing" the head nuts was a hefty wrench with a T handle that was meant to use both hands to tighten to the proper amount.

Maybe things are different in Indiana. Can't tell you for sure, never been there. Just heard about it from Dave Letterman.

Jim/GA · 10-06-2014, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fredski

I torqued mine 40 pounds. just thought it was good enough ,

fredski

40 ft-lbs is not enough for these u-bolts. You really need to lock this spring down inside the frame cross-member.

You should take them up to at least 65 ft-lbs., if not more.

When tightening, remember to alternate back and front, left and right between the 4 nuts as you go...

and make sure the head of the bolt that goes down through the spring finds its way onto the hole in the cross-member, so that the spring seats firmly into the cross-member.

mshmodela · 10-06-2014, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indiana A. Lover

Mike V Florida Did Clinton ask for a smart ass reply to his question for torque value on his A no he did not. So you must be a expert on all things Ford. Just next time think before you act like that. Don in Indiana

I guess I'm slow but do not see how MikeVFla post was smart ____'ed . May I suggest double clutching to avoid grinding your gears.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 10-06-2014, 07:22 PM

SHOOT, most all of us type stupid assed things, at times, jist look at me, for example! Sometimes I go back to DELETE it & OH SHIT! too LATE, sumbody's already replied to it +*@#%^&$@!+&$
Too bad we're not all "PERFECT"--Like my Dog, Buster T.
Bill W.

Tom Wesenberg · 10-06-2014, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indiana A. Lover

Mike V Florida Did Clinton ask for a smart ass reply to his question for torque value on his A no he did not. So you must be a expert on all things Ford. Just next time think before you act like that. Don in Indiana

Whoa..........did a Studebaker run over your foot?

Mike gave a good reply. I like to tighten them good and tight with the weight on the springs, then drive it a few blocks and over a couple bumps, then recheck the tightness and install the cotter pins. Do the same for the rear spring.

glenn in camino · 10-06-2014, 07:26 PM

The repo crank bearing will break if the U bolts are tightened very much.

Fred · 10-06-2014, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BILL WILLIAMSON

SHOOT, most all of us type stupid assed things, at times, jist look at me, for example! Sometimes I go back to DELETE it & OH SHIT! too LATE, sumbody's already replied to it +*@#%^&$@!+&$
Too bad we're not all "PERFECT"--Like my Dog, Buster T.
Bill W.

AT TIMES ?? You mean like NOW !!

10-06-2014, 03:48 PM	#2
Mike V. Florida Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Florida Posts: 14,054	Re: torque specs for front u-bolts Ford did not use torque wrenches when the a was built. Ant value will be based on the size of the "bolt", threads and the use of a torque chart. __________________ What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II

10-06-2014, 03:56 PM	#3
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: torque specs for front u-bolts Torque specs,,, Tight ! Just get them good and tight, thats all thats needed. Last edited by Patrick L.; 10-06-2014 at 05:08 PM.

10-06-2014, 03:58 PM	#4
Indiana A. Lover Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Brook, Indiana Posts: 214	Re: torque specs for front u-bolts Mike V Florida Did Clinton ask for a smart ass reply to his question for torque value on his A no he did not. So you must be a expert on all things Ford. Just next time think before you act like that. Don in Indiana

10-06-2014, 04:03 PM	#5
MikeK Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Windy City Posts: 2,919	Re: torque specs for front u-bolts The general assumption about original Ford steel fasteners is they were at least equal to today's Grade 5. Use that torque table with discretion, not all things should be that tight.

10-06-2014, 04:36 PM	#7
Y-Blockhead Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Redondo Beach, CA Posts: 5,850	Re: torque specs for front u-bolts I agree with what both Mikes said. I usually refer to the torque chart in the back of the 'Model A Mechanics Handbook' but also take into account that some of the bolts on my car are ~84 years old and have been tighten a few times (stretched).

10-06-2014, 04:37 PM	#8
Clem Clement Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Fairfax, VA Posts: 3,393	Re: torque specs for front u-bolts At my age I give it what I got, and be sure to install the split pin

10-06-2014, 05:17 PM	#12
fredski Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: morrisburg ontario Posts: 349	Re: torque specs for front u-bolts I torqued mine 40 pounds. just thought it was good enough , fredski

10-06-2014, 05:19 PM	#13
msmaron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wauconda, IL Posts: 3,600	Re: torque specs for front u-bolts I don't think as a matter of fact i even used a torque wrench,, just tightened the ba-jebbers of of them..got that cotter pin in and done.. __________________ Mark Maron Ill., Region MARC & MAFCA MARC JSC Member MAFFI Trustee National Facebook Admin. https://www.facebook.com/groups/MARC.group/ A7191-Sport Coupe 29 Roadster 29-Town Sedan 29-Original Special Coupe

10-06-2014, 05:22 PM	#14
CarlG Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 9,117	Re: torque specs for front u-bolts Henry's "Torque Wrenches" consisted of a series of single use wrenches, that when used could only apply the maximum torque by the average assembly line worker. For instance: the wrench used to tighten the pan bolts was a small wrench with a short handle, therefore the mechanic was not able to "over torque" the small pan bolts. On the other hand, the wrench used for "torqueing" the head nuts was a hefty wrench with a T handle that was meant to use both hands to tighten to the proper amount. Maybe things are different in Indiana. Can't tell you for sure, never been there. Just heard about it from Dave Letterman. __________________ Alaskan A's Antique Auto Mushers of Alaska Model A Ford Club of America Model A Restorers Club Antique Automobile Club of America Mullins Owner's Club

10-06-2014, 07:22 PM	#17
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: torque specs for front u-bolts *SHOOT, most all of us type stupid assed things, at times, jist look at me, for example! Sometimes I go back to DELETE it & OH SHIT! too LATE, sumbody's already replied to it +@#%^&$@!+&$ Too bad we're not all "PERFECT"--Like my Dog, Buster T. Bill W. __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"**

10-06-2014, 07:26 PM	#19
glenn in camino Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Camino, CA. Posts: 3,086	Re: torque specs for front u-bolts The repo crank bearing will break if the U bolts are tightened very much.