The Ford Barn

jim galli · 05-21-2013, 02:19 PM

I'm considering buying new front fenders for my '31 Deluxe Coupe but keep hearing these are very hard to fit.

Forgive me if this has been discussed before, I did do some searches and couldn't find it.

Basically, what's the problem with these? What compromises have to be made to get them in place? Anyone with first hand experience?

Anyone in the west with nice nice originals to sell me? I'm repairing a wrecked late '31 Deluxe Coupe. Left front destroyed. Right front pretty good but one little bead break when the left took the hit.

Bob C · 05-21-2013, 02:50 PM

See post #10 in this thread https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showth...=front+fenders

Bob

BRENT in 10-uh-C · 05-21-2013, 03:15 PM

Here ( http://www.modelahouse.com/tech/fender/index.html ) is a direct link to find them in whatever format you like.

jim galli · 05-21-2013, 03:26 PM

Thank you both. That's what I needed to read. Looks way over mine and any other local talent in central Nevada's head.

larrys40 · 05-21-2013, 03:34 PM

Jim,

I last month I put a pair of reproduction fronts ( made by gaslight) on a '30 coupe... the originals were freshly painted by someone and were trash.... granted, I think as Brent would say.... "sadly, the best and the worst fenders are made by the same supplier", however, they are certainly better than the alternative of not having any or fiberglass ( not sure I can say that although I've put them on too).

I spent about about 40 hours working them over metal wise to get them right, the contour of the fenders on the front in particular is not the same driver side to passenger. You have to fit them with the fender braces, headlight bar, and will probably have to relocate the hood hook holes, no big deal. The fit to the runningboard and nose section on '30s is tricky. I have split the nose section/apron and added metal and have done it like they are but used great finesse.

Do not expect to bolt them up... start with an initial fit, study them, see where the deficiencies are and work to get them to fit. Usually stretching the area around where the nose section is an initial start, as well as getting them to fit at the fender brace/hl bar, aprons, and runningboard. They even take a lot of metal boarding and sanding the metal to get the highs and lows out prior to priming... '30's make it extra challenging with the nose sections. Remember, the crease line on the '31 fender goes all the way to the front... 30's does not... lays back about 3/4 inch or so..... so you will have to put in the crease to make them look right. Also, tweaking the bead to make things look straight. If you really want to make them right after all else is done hand file work on the serations to get them where they need to be. As they tend to vary a lot from one to another . While working on this customers car I took a very nice '31 fender and layed it on the frame.... I couldn't believe how nice it fit and was almost perfect. there is no substitute for a very good original fender... so if you can find them they are always preferrable.

We are blessed to have a plethura of decent repro parts today, much better than 20 years ago, which enable all of us to have the cars in the shape they are today... Even though things like this take work... it's good that at least we have what is available to us... Get the right help, or tackle on your own. this is a challenging undertaking...but with patience, skill, and attention to detail they can be made to look pretty decent.

Good luck!
Larry Shepard
St. Charles, MO

ursus · 05-21-2013, 04:48 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

LarryS40 just made an interesting comment about getting the crease line correct on 30-31 front fenders. I have a pair that were restored by a previous owner and are nicely done except for the crease lines, which vary in depth over their length. It looks like some filler was used in a couple places and the finish work was less than exacting.

I am curious how others handle the layout and renewal of the crease line. Is there a jig or method by which a clean and straight crease can be established? Thanks!

larrys40 · 05-21-2013, 05:05 PM

Ursus,
I usually just put it in by hand... using a block of wood underneath contoured for the crease and a slightly blunted large cold chisel on top. I draw a line with a permenant marker in line with the end of the crease to the edge... and just work it in a little at a time. Yes, it takes 3 hands... finish it off by metal sanding with a board on each side of the line... just the way you need to on the whole fender down the crease line to make it sharp and crisp... otherwise it looks like crap.

time and work but it will turn out if patient.

Thanks,

jim galli · 05-21-2013, 05:10 PM

Crease lines. You set up 2 dial indicators on either side of the car that rise and fall on some mechanism and read less than .010 runout as the car runs through.

Ha ha. I need the perfect original bolt in place fenders. My skills at metalwork are such that every hour (and I'm not lazy with my hours, believe me) I put into metal work would require someone with talent 2 hours to "undo".

Thank you for the discussion. I'm stalled. Is there a metal wizard anywhere in eastern California, or Reno? Even Vegas?? I hate Vegas though.

05-21-2013, 02:50 PM	#2
Bob C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: So Cal Posts: 9,360	Re: Problems with NEW 1931 front fenders? See post #10 in this thread https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showth...=front+fenders Bob

05-21-2013, 03:15 PM	#3
BRENT in 10-uh-C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Eastern Tennessee Posts: 11,972	Re: Problems with NEW 1931 front fenders? Here ( http://www.modelahouse.com/tech/fender/index.html ) is a direct link to find them in whatever format you like. __________________ . BRENT in 10-uh-C . www.model-a-ford.com ...(...Finally Updated!! ) .

05-21-2013, 03:26 PM	#4
jim galli Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Tonopah, NV. Posts: 283	Re: Problems with NEW 1931 front fenders? Thank you both. That's what I needed to read. Looks way over mine and any other local talent in central Nevada's head.

05-21-2013, 03:34 PM	#5
larrys40 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: St Charles , Missouri Posts: 2,032	Re: Problems with NEW 1931 front fenders? Jim, I last month I put a pair of reproduction fronts ( made by gaslight) on a '30 coupe... the originals were freshly painted by someone and were trash.... granted, I think as Brent would say.... "sadly, the best and the worst fenders are made by the same supplier", however, they are certainly better than the alternative of not having any or fiberglass ( not sure I can say that although I've put them on too). I spent about about 40 hours working them over metal wise to get them right, the contour of the fenders on the front in particular is not the same driver side to passenger. You have to fit them with the fender braces, headlight bar, and will probably have to relocate the hood hook holes, no big deal. The fit to the runningboard and nose section on '30s is tricky. I have split the nose section/apron and added metal and have done it like they are but used great finesse. Do not expect to bolt them up... start with an initial fit, study them, see where the deficiencies are and work to get them to fit. Usually stretching the area around where the nose section is an initial start, as well as getting them to fit at the fender brace/hl bar, aprons, and runningboard. They even take a lot of metal boarding and sanding the metal to get the highs and lows out prior to priming... '30's make it extra challenging with the nose sections. Remember, the crease line on the '31 fender goes all the way to the front... 30's does not... lays back about 3/4 inch or so..... so you will have to put in the crease to make them look right. Also, tweaking the bead to make things look straight. If you really want to make them right after all else is done hand file work on the serations to get them where they need to be. As they tend to vary a lot from one to another . While working on this customers car I took a very nice '31 fender and layed it on the frame.... I couldn't believe how nice it fit and was almost perfect. there is no substitute for a very good original fender... so if you can find them they are always preferrable. We are blessed to have a plethura of decent repro parts today, much better than 20 years ago, which enable all of us to have the cars in the shape they are today... Even though things like this take work... it's good that at least we have what is available to us... Get the right help, or tackle on your own. this is a challenging undertaking...but with patience, skill, and attention to detail they can be made to look pretty decent. Good luck! Larry Shepard St. Charles, MO

05-21-2013, 04:48 PM	#6
ursus Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,462	Re: Problems with NEW 1931 front fenders? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) LarryS40 just made an interesting comment about getting the crease line correct on 30-31 front fenders. I have a pair that were restored by a previous owner and are nicely done except for the crease lines, which vary in depth over their length. It looks like some filler was used in a couple places and the finish work was less than exacting. I am curious how others handle the layout and renewal of the crease line. Is there a jig or method by which a clean and straight crease can be established? Thanks!

05-21-2013, 02:19 PM	#1
jim galli Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Tonopah, NV. Posts: 283	Problems with NEW 1931 front fenders? I'm considering buying new front fenders for my '31 Deluxe Coupe but keep hearing these are very hard to fit. Forgive me if this has been discussed before, I did do some searches and couldn't find it. Basically, what's the problem with these? What compromises have to be made to get them in place? Anyone with first hand experience? Anyone in the west with nice nice originals to sell me? I'm repairing a wrecked late '31 Deluxe Coupe. Left front destroyed. Right front pretty good but one little bead break when the left took the hit.

05-21-2013, 05:05 PM	#7
larrys40 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: St Charles , Missouri Posts: 2,032	Re: Problems with NEW 1931 front fenders? Ursus, I usually just put it in by hand... using a block of wood underneath contoured for the crease and a slightly blunted large cold chisel on top. I draw a line with a permenant marker in line with the end of the crease to the edge... and just work it in a little at a time. Yes, it takes 3 hands... finish it off by metal sanding with a board on each side of the line... just the way you need to on the whole fender down the crease line to make it sharp and crisp... otherwise it looks like crap. time and work but it will turn out if patient. Thanks,

05-21-2013, 05:10 PM	#8
jim galli Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Tonopah, NV. Posts: 283	Re: Problems with NEW 1931 front fenders? Crease lines. You set up 2 dial indicators on either side of the car that rise and fall on some mechanism and read less than .010 runout as the car runs through. Ha ha. I need the perfect original bolt in place fenders. My skills at metalwork are such that every hour (and I'm not lazy with my hours, believe me) I put into metal work would require someone with talent 2 hours to "undo". Thank you for the discussion. I'm stalled. Is there a metal wizard anywhere in eastern California, or Reno? Even Vegas?? I hate Vegas though.