Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Early V8 (1932-53)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 12-21-2014, 12:44 PM   #1
Fred A
Senior Member
 
Fred A's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Encino California, near Burbank
Posts: 935
Default '40 Dash Panel Brace?

Removing the dash in one of my '40, found a stamped brace with a rather factory appearance, about 9" long, running from the bottom, behind the battery gage up to the cowl. Of the relative many '40 Fords I've owned, this is a first for me. Could it be an original feature or just something someone added?
Fred A is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-21-2014, 01:06 PM   #2
Gumpy
Senior Member
 
Gumpy's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Sf bay area
Posts: 1,464
Default Re: '40 Dash Panel Brace?

Original piece ,,I do not re-use mainly for stability as I recall.....Merry Christmas my friend!
__________________
"I believe God is managing affairs and that He doesn't need any advice from me. With God in Charge, I believe everything will work out for the best in the end. So what is there to worry about". Quote by Henry Ford
Gumpy is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 12-21-2014, 02:36 PM   #3
deuce_roadster
Senior Member
 
deuce_roadster's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Shelton, WA
Posts: 3,779
Default Re: '40 Dash Panel Brace?

I put mine back in, I suspect it is to stiffen up the dash due to the steering column being bolted to it.
deuce_roadster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-21-2014, 03:10 PM   #4
okiedokie
Senior Member
 
okiedokie's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Tulsa Ok
Posts: 516
Default Re: '40 Dash Panel Brace?

I had the same experience with the dash in my 40 sedan I have started on. I also had never seen one on the many 40's I have had. I was told they all had them when new.
okiedokie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-21-2014, 03:24 PM   #5
Fred A
Senior Member
 
Fred A's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Encino California, near Burbank
Posts: 935
Default Re: '40 Dash Panel Brace?

Thanks to all, No reason not to use it again. Must be like the engine pans that are usually tossed. Only lately has such disassembly been needed as the cars and I are about to get old. Good Luck: Fred A
Fred A is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-21-2014, 05:01 PM   #6
4dFord/SC
Senior Member
 
4dFord/SC's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Columbia, SC
Posts: 1,579
Default Re: '40 Dash Panel Brace?

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
I suspect most were removed at some point to facilitate working behind/under the dash (e.g., installing a radio).
4dFord/SC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-21-2014, 05:47 PM   #7
Kube
Senior Member
 
Kube's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Wisconsin, USA
Posts: 8,937
Default Re: '40 Dash Panel Brace?

They were in fact installed to each new 1940 Ford passenger car. I tend to agree with Deuce... strengthens the instrument panel near the steering column.
__________________
"I can explain it for you. However, I can't understand it for you".
Kube is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 12-21-2014, 06:11 PM   #8
19Fordy
Senior Member
 
19Fordy's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Coral Springs FL
Posts: 10,879
Default Re: '40 Dash Panel Brace?

I hope someone would post a photo of that brace. I have never seen one.
Thanks, JIM
19Fordy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-21-2014, 07:07 PM   #9
Kube
Senior Member
 
Kube's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Wisconsin, USA
Posts: 8,937
Default Re: '40 Dash Panel Brace?

Quote:
Originally Posted by 19Fordy View Post
I hope someone would post a photo of that brace. I have never seen one.
Thanks, JIM
Here ya go Jim...
Attached Images
File Type: jpg dash std. cluster rear.jpg (43.8 KB, 106 views)
__________________
"I can explain it for you. However, I can't understand it for you".
Kube is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 12-21-2014, 07:10 PM   #10
nospartsman
BANNED
 
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 409
Default Re: '40 Dash Panel Brace?

1940 Convertible and woody dash took a different length support brace.
nospartsman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-21-2014, 07:49 PM   #11
Fred A
Senior Member
 
Fred A's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Encino California, near Burbank
Posts: 935
Default Re: '40 Dash Panel Brace?

That is definitely the brace that I was surprised to find. From Kube's picture also sense the futility or inadequacy of my work on these cars comparing the level of restoration that I am likely to achieve gathering my best parts compared to the extreme, as new restoration that Kube achieves. Thanks again: Fred A
Fred A is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-22-2014, 09:29 AM   #12
Kube
Senior Member
 
Kube's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Wisconsin, USA
Posts: 8,937
Default Re: '40 Dash Panel Brace?

Quote:
Originally Posted by nospartsman View Post
1940 Convertible and woody dash took a different length support brace.
Why would that be?
The dash panels at that point (closed vs. open car) are the same width.
__________________
"I can explain it for you. However, I can't understand it for you".
Kube is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 12-22-2014, 11:10 AM   #13
19Fordy
Senior Member
 
19Fordy's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Coral Springs FL
Posts: 10,879
Default Re: '40 Dash Panel Brace?

Thank you Kube for posting that photo. Now, I very vaguely remember seeing that brace (or something like it) when i took my car apart many years ago.
Didn't remember to re - install it

Last edited by 19Fordy; 12-22-2014 at 11:16 AM.
19Fordy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-23-2014, 02:14 PM   #14
mike in las vegas
Member
 
mike in las vegas's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 32
Default Re: '40 Dash Panel Brace?

I thought that bracket looked familiar. My 40 was disassembled when I got it. Just went digging through boxes and found the bracket with masking tape around it with a question mark on it. I will be installing it today. Thanks Ford Barn!!!!!!
mike in las vegas is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:05 AM.