Hood alignment

[kenparker]

One of the Autumn Trails Model A Ford Club members and I went thru the "frame Sstraightening" (sp) today. We use a 7 foot long piece of I Beam positioned under the Frame Rail ( one side at the time) . I beam has heavy duty chains hooked onto each end. Chain about 12" long. Other end of chain has "brackets" hooked to it that bolt to the frame rail. One bracket bolted immediately behind the front Shock absorber. The rear bracket bolted to the frame in front of the rear shock absorber.

Sound confusing - I will get pictures tomorrow.

6 ton hydraulic bottle jack under the frame and sitting squarely on the I beam. A 2" wide by 5/16" thick 6" long piece of flat bar between Jack head and bottom of frame rail. This piece helps spread the lift and helps keep the frame from kinking.

Today in my friends 31 Pickup the gap at the lowere edge of the hood was 3/4" on passemger side and 7/8" on driver side. Front lowere edge of hood overlapped Stainless Radiator shell by 1/2". His frame sag was massave.

We jacked twice. Once immediatel in front of the Motor mount and once immediately behind the motor mount on each side.

Our end result was appros 1/8" gap at top of hood - at the center hinge- at the rear. and at the bottom of the hood we closed the gap from 3/4" to 1/4" gap. On the driver side we went from 7/8 gap at bottom to 1/4" gap.

He was amazed and VERY HAPPY. Twas a very good day. In spite of having to stop about 1 pm and take cover due to the towns tornado siren going off. No tornado but we did get 1.5 inches of rain and 40 mph winds. in aabout 1 hour.

As said above I will tke some pictures and post tomorrow that might help. A;lso andothe ckub member and I will do the same to a cabriolet come next Monday. Try to get some photos of that too,... ken