The Ford Barn

700rpm · 03-13-2014, 11:41 AM

Will a frame spreader work with the body attached to the frame?

wrndln · 03-13-2014, 11:54 AM

It probably would, but I would be very careful not to over spread the frame. Usually the frame only needs to be spread a little to get the flywheel housing to slip in between the rear motor mounts.
Rusty Nelson

Mitch//pa · 03-13-2014, 12:17 PM

to answer your question yes.
i never needed one to do a job

CarlG · 03-13-2014, 12:19 PM

A 1/16 to 1/8 inch would probably be all that is necessary for the FW housing to slip in. And you are probably going to have to get that whether you use a frame spreader or not. A frame spreader just makes it easier, and should not matter whether or not the body is attached.

H. L. Chauvin · 03-13-2014, 12:29 PM

Hi Ray,

Years ago someone on the other Forum recommended "loosening" the two (2) front body to frame bolts below the firewall prior to spreading the frame.

Made sense to me because the firewall is a rigid sheet metal diaphragm similar to a sheet of plywood which will not yield to stretching stresses when tightly connected to the frame below.

The frame only has to widen a few fractions of an inch & it can be "easily" opened if these two front bolts are loose whereby the firewall diaphragm is not preventing fractional movement.

I loosened these two front bolts, easily spread the frame with 2x4's & a Model A jack, re-tightened these two front bolts & had absolutely no problems.

No multiple attempts, no grease, no curse words, no heart burn, no mashed fingers, no fear of damaging body, & no valuable time wasted for such a simple task.

Just one (1) simple experience.

Hope this helps.

28ACoupe · 03-13-2014, 12:29 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I have used one with a roadster body on the frame with no ill effects. I don't spread the frame any further than is necessary to allow the bellhousing go in with a little pushing though.

Purdy Swoft · 03-13-2014, 12:29 PM

Yes it will work with the body in place, I've done it many times since I got my frame spreader. Before the spreader I used a porta power. I would loosen the bolts at the cowl and first body cross channel. The rear motor mount pads are usually too thick. Frame sag at the rear mounts compounds the problem.

Dave in MN · 03-13-2014, 12:30 PM

After installing new motor mount pads, the use of a spreader will help considerably.
Good Day!

Afordman31 · 03-13-2014, 12:57 PM

Just finished doing it on my brothers Model
A.
We used two big c-clamps and drew it in place. If you tighten the clamps so it draws even it will go.

700rpm · 03-13-2014, 01:11 PM

All good suggestions, as usual. AFordman31, could you please explain where and how you used the C-clamps? Thank you.

Afordman31 · 03-13-2014, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 700rpm

All good suggestions, as usual. AFordman31, could you please explain where and how you used the C-clamps? Thank you.

After the bell housing was lined up with the frame mounts we just put the clamp at the very top of the frame mount and the other end of the clamp catching the bell housing. This was done from inside of the car.
A person could put a piece of steel up against the frame mount to catch the swivel end of the clamp but we didn't have to.

Tom Endy · 03-13-2014, 03:05 PM

A frame spreader certainly makes the job of installing an engine that has solid rear motor mounts much easier. I have one and if you change an engine out occasionally it is worth having. If you have float a-motor rear mounts a frame spreader is not needed.

Tom Endy

Purdy Swoft · 03-13-2014, 07:59 PM

That is the only good thing that I ever experienced with float-A-motor mounts.

03-13-2014, 11:41 AM	#1
700rpm Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 6,039	Frame spreader question Will a frame spreader work with the body attached to the frame? __________________ Ray Horton, Portland, OR As you go through life, keep your eye on the donut, not the hole.

03-13-2014, 11:54 AM	#2
wrndln Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lakeville, MN Posts: 5,300	Re: Frame spreader question It probably would, but I would be very careful not to over spread the frame. Usually the frame only needs to be spread a little to get the flywheel housing to slip in between the rear motor mounts. Rusty Nelson

03-13-2014, 12:17 PM	#3
Mitch//pa BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks County, PA Posts: 11,454	Re: Frame spreader question to answer your question yes. i never needed one to do a job

03-13-2014, 12:19 PM	#4
CarlG Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 9,192	Re: Frame spreader question A 1/16 to 1/8 inch would probably be all that is necessary for the FW housing to slip in. And you are probably going to have to get that whether you use a frame spreader or not. A frame spreader just makes it easier, and should not matter whether or not the body is attached. __________________ 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

03-13-2014, 12:29 PM	#5
H. L. Chauvin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 4,179	Re: Frame spreader question Hi Ray, Years ago someone on the other Forum recommended "loosening" the two (2) front body to frame bolts below the firewall prior to spreading the frame. Made sense to me because the firewall is a rigid sheet metal diaphragm similar to a sheet of plywood which will not yield to stretching stresses when tightly connected to the frame below. The frame only has to widen a few fractions of an inch & it can be "easily" opened if these two front bolts are loose whereby the firewall diaphragm is not preventing fractional movement. I loosened these two front bolts, easily spread the frame with 2x4's & a Model A jack, re-tightened these two front bolts & had absolutely no problems. No multiple attempts, no grease, no curse words, no heart burn, no mashed fingers, no fear of damaging body, & no valuable time wasted for such a simple task. Just one (1) simple experience. Hope this helps. Last edited by H. L. Chauvin; 03-13-2014 at 12:31 PM. Reason: typo

03-13-2014, 12:29 PM	#6
28ACoupe Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 559	Re: Frame spreader question Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I have used one with a roadster body on the frame with no ill effects. I don't spread the frame any further than is necessary to allow the bellhousing go in with a little pushing though. __________________ 1928 Model A Business Coupe Rebuild picture gallery here The light at the end of the tunnel has been turned off due to budget cuts.

03-13-2014, 12:29 PM	#7
Purdy Swoft Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 8,099	Re: Frame spreader question Yes it will work with the body in place, I've done it many times since I got my frame spreader. Before the spreader I used a porta power. I would loosen the bolts at the cowl and first body cross channel. The rear motor mount pads are usually too thick. Frame sag at the rear mounts compounds the problem.

03-13-2014, 12:30 PM	#8
Dave in MN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Jordan, MN Posts: 1,416	Re: Frame spreader question After installing new motor mount pads, the use of a spreader will help considerably. Good Day!

03-13-2014, 12:57 PM	#9
Afordman31 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 593	Re: Frame spreader question Just finished doing it on my brothers Model A. We used two big c-clamps and drew it in place. If you tighten the clamps so it draws even it will go.

03-13-2014, 01:11 PM	#10
700rpm Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 6,039	Re: Frame spreader question All good suggestions, as usual. AFordman31, could you please explain where and how you used the C-clamps? Thank you. __________________ Ray Horton, Portland, OR As you go through life, keep your eye on the donut, not the hole.

03-13-2014, 03:05 PM	#12
Tom Endy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern California Posts: 3,168	Re: Frame spreader question A frame spreader certainly makes the job of installing an engine that has solid rear motor mounts much easier. I have one and if you change an engine out occasionally it is worth having. If you have float a-motor rear mounts a frame spreader is not needed. Tom Endy

03-13-2014, 07:59 PM	#13
Purdy Swoft Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 8,099	Re: Frame spreader question That is the only good thing that I ever experienced with float-A-motor mounts.