Repairing a 1940 truck grille

[36couper]

I have an ad in the classifieds looking for a new grille for my '40
Last night I looked at it more closely and it looks like it is a cast grille. I've heard there are two types; cast and metal
If it turns out I can't find a new grille, how can I repair the one I have? There are 4 bars broken off the bottom section. It could be cheaper to repair than replace. There is a new one on eBay now for
+$600USD which is $780 CDN

[TJ]

There is a poster on here that has the steel replacement grilles. He uses the name nospartsman and he also sells on e-Bay. Unless you are real crafty, repairing diecast is very tricky.

[36couper]

Thanks. i sent him a PM

[Vanspeed]

My neighbor is a welder for a living and in the aerospace industry. I gave him a piece of cast pot metal once to see if he could repair it. He couldn't but a guy who works with him was able to fix it so I would try to fix yours first. Ask around maybe and see if anybody in your area can do it.

[rotorwrench]

Die cast can be repaired by soldering with Muggy Weld rod & flux. The flux turns a brown color when the temperature is right for adding the filler rod. Like any welding or soldering, a person has to practice a bit to get good results but the stuff works. Getting the plating off is another story. Plating shops will sometimes work with a customer to strip old plating off so the customer can repair and polish but not all do.

[36couper]

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Thanks for the tips

[alchemy]

A 40 pickup (if that is what you are talking about, not a big truck) never had a steel grille. They were all diecast. The same part as a 40 Standard passenger car.

I have made small L brackets and rivited them between the bar and the bottom rung of the grille. Hardly noticeable unless you are really looking for them.

[36couper]

Yes, it's 40 pickup, not a big truck. I didn't realize the grilles were all diecast.
I think I will try your method of using the L brackets. Would you have a picture?

Originally Posted by alchemy

A 40 pickup (if that is what you are talking about, not a big truck) never had a steel grille. They were all diecast. The same part as a 40 Standard passenger car.

I have made small L brackets and rivited them between the bar and the bottom rung of the grille. Hardly noticeable unless you are really looking for them.

[GB SISSON]

I have a '39 Toro golf course tractor with a cast aluminum grille. When it was given to me the bottom 1/3 of the grille was broken off and missing. I used aluminum strap from the hardware store, wood pieces, 1/4" styrofoam and fiberglass window screen with epoxy putty and some small aluminum angle reshaped for the missing grille bars. Anything is possible if you are posessed. Of course there are a LOT more ford truck grilles out there than '39 toros, so to me it was worth in and kind of fun... I will get a pic of the finished product painted.

[41LjH]

An easy way to tell what you have is to use a magnet. Pot is not magnetic. I repaired the grille on my 41 PU several times and it never did hold. I finally bit the bullet and bought a Drake. It took quite a long time to get it to fit!!
Good luck..

[36couper]

I'd love to buy a Drake but with the Canadian dollar tanking, a $700USD grille would cost me $910CDN plus shipping plus taxes.
A friend was telling me I should be able to braze the broken parts.

[GB SISSON]

Not sayin' you'll get any points for it at Pebble Beach, but the epoxy sticks this stuff together pretty well.. Over the years this tractor has covered a lot of rough ground on my ten acre hillside with no cracks or fractures. Just my .02

[mercman from oz]

The Grille in your 1940 Ford Pickup would be the same as the one in this 1940 Ford Standard Coupe which was featured in Hemmings Classic Car Magazine a few months back. You are in luck with these, as you can buy new reproductions.
I have a friend who is trying to locate a grille for his 1940 Mercury for which no one makes reproductions and are not likely to, as the outlay to make a new Grille would be more that the amount recovered from sales in a lifetime.

[mhsprecher]

GB, that grille on the Toro looks great. Love the patina, too.

[funrunr]

Here are some pics of a repaired grille for a 40 standard/truck. This is some beautiful work here. The person who welded it is a welding instructor at WCC (college) and has won trophy's and awards for his welding. He said it is very dirty material to work with and very tedious work. He did mention putting epoxy on the back side to help the strength of the piece. Since I got this from him, I have taken two Deluxe grilles to him to have repaired. He takes a lot of pride in his work as you can see why.

[TJ]

Which section is broken? If the bars are broken on one side you can find individual sides from time to time. I have an extra drivers side for $150 plus shipping if that helps (it's been chromed but can be painted).

[funrunr]

I need a chrome Bob Drake right side, have an ad in wanted section for a while now. I have a nice left side too

[JonC]

I had mine welded for a repair and it came out very good. I am no expert but the guy who welded it used a TIG welder and seemed to have no problem. It needed very little sanding after and seems as strong as the other side. I do have one side of another grille if you let me know which side you need I can look to see if I can help you.

[funrunr]

I need the right side, must be in very nice condition as the side I have is brand new repop Bob Drake. Thanks, Mark