Frame bracket location.

[Martinbuilt]

Hi.
I've searched here, and asked a bunch of Ford guys about this.
There are two camps, evenly split.
Is this bracket (shown in photo) always in the same location?
28/29 vs 30/31
It's the mounting point for the cowl.

I have a frame ('30) and a coupe body ('29) that I'm working with.
If the bracket needs to be moved, please include some sort of measurement.
Thanks.

[JayJay]

I'm happy to be contradicted, but as far as I know the only substantive differences between a 28/29 frame and a 30/31 frame are the front cross member (radiator mounting surface), and perhaps holes for the brake and e-brake cross shafts and the brake light switch. I've not heard of any difference in the cowl mounting tab location.

[Oldbluoval]

In 31 (you say your frame is a 30??), the bracket was moved toward the back to accommodate the slant cowl which has a different foot print. I’ve found what I believe to be original non-slants on those frames. They were mounted with just one bolt thru that bracket. Basically, the bracket was moved rearward to where the original front hole is now where the back hole used to be…make sense, can get measurement if not.

Just my findings and observations….can’t go to technical support authority…and don’t care!

[Martinbuilt]

Thanks. That's a start.
This frame came with a title. The numbers and papers date it 1930.
I wanted to put a car together, and the '29 parts were the first good sheet metal to turn up.
As soon as I get the subrails repaired, I'll be able to try it and check the fit.
Right now, all I can do overthink.

Now, I can overthink the fit of my '29 radiator and grill.
I didn't know the front cross member was different.

[Bob Bidonde]

Steve Plucker published an excellent paper about the evolution of the Model "A" frame. It is a significant loss to the Model A Community that Steve no longer shares on the Ford Barn his extensive knowledge and research about the Model A & AA.

[JayJay]

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Thanks Bob and Oldbluval, I learned something today. It certainly makes sense that the slants would have a different cowl footprint.

[Martinbuilt]

Thanks, Bob for that article.
There's an amazing amount of info in there..

[gdmn852]

Hello,Ford moved the cowl bracket for the 31 slant windshield, with only one bolt going to frame other bolt only attached to the splash apron, another bracket was mounted near the back area also , however I read that the frame was supposed to have location marked, so perhaps not all 31 frames had that bracket,apparently used on S/W models.Doesn’t seem logical that Ford would waste money on a bracket that wasn’t used on other models. Perhaps they were drilled and angle mounted as needed on assembly line, but location marked for that purpose. Please correct me if wrong. Thank you.

[Oldbluoval]

I’ve seen numerous frames that were drilled for the #6 bracket but not installed. I’ve never seen the #6 actually mounted on anything but the wooden-sill cars. But never say never!
I’ve seen numerous cars and trucks with the straight windshield in the newer pattern.
As above, one bolt in the bracket, other bolt just thru the wood as I recall ….recall ain’t so great anymore!

[gdmn852]

Hello again, thanks for the reply, I have a 31 roadster with indented firewall, but maybe on a 30 frame, as it uses both cowl mount bolts and bracket is in early location,also no holes for back mounts, car maybe a flea market Frankenstein though.

[Martinbuilt]

You guys are making me feel a lot better about this.
This car is not for judging, my only concern is getting a bunch of orphan parts on the road.
Looks like I'll be fine.