Are Your Radiator Stay Rods Bowed?

[ericr]

Have you guys noticed how many Model "A"s (including my own) have radiator stay rods that are resting bowed one way or another? Surely that is not how they came from the factory.


I know we have learned on this site how we are using repro body block and radiator pads that are non-authentic/non-accurate. But I find it hard to believe they are inaccurate enough to bow out the rods....are repro rods inaccurately made?

[SeaSlugs]

Alot of model A's have frame sag only way the rods are going to bend is if the body firewall and radiator rod mounts are not parallel to one another before someone tightens the rods.

[JBill]

Hmmmm. I would think that if the hood is good and is fitting properly around the radiator and the cowl, then the fault could be with the rods. They can be adjusted a little bit. but not much.

[ericr]

Originally Posted by JBill

Hmmmm. I would think that if the hood is good and is fitting properly around the radiator and the cowl, then the fault could be with the rods. They can be adjusted a little bit. but not much.

along those lines, the restoration books talk about re-orienting the radiator and shell by fiddling with the rods. I never found that to be the case.

[Bill G]

Mine are not bowed. Hood is a little off, but rods are straight.

[katy]

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Originally Posted by Magicbox51

Mine are not bowed. Hood is a little off, but rods are straight.

Ditto

[duke36]

If one looks at the factory photos in the judging stds, the rods are slightly bowed. The rods do play a role in aligning the hood gaps (along with the rear hood retainer and body bolts/ shims).

[DHZIEMAN]

On my 1930, the rods are straight! And the hood fits as it should!

[Automotive Stud]

When I was assembling my roadster I found that adjusting the rods would affect the door gap. I could see where body flex over the years could bend the rods.