The Ford Barn

vern hodgson · 07-08-2015, 09:05 AM

Looking at my car from the front the radiator is tilted to the right. Is it just a matter of adjusting the mounting bolts to square it up?

Hoogah · 07-08-2015, 09:37 AM

Didn't work for the Italians!!

(Sorry, I'll leave the useful responses to the wise guys around here.)

Brentwood Bob · 07-08-2015, 11:07 AM

Vern, a picture would help.
Will it adjust out by readjusting the radiator support rods?
The lower bolts are spring loaded and should be just tight enough to install the cotter pin.
Bob

heneste · 07-08-2015, 11:44 AM

It could be the lower bolts being too tight on one side
It could also be any spacers under the radiator mounting holes (too thick on one side would cause the tilt)
If the tab with the mounting hole on the radiator is not situated between the fender and the frame, you can also get a tilt.

2manycars · 07-08-2015, 12:06 PM

Most likely the radiator rods are not adjusted right. Is the hood fitting the cowl evenly all around?

Fullraceflathead · 07-08-2015, 01:14 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoogah

Didn't work for the Italians!!

(Sorry, I'll leave the useful responses to the wise guys around here.)

Now that's Funny!!!

vern hodgson · 07-08-2015, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heneste

It could be the lower bolts being too tight on one side
It could also be any spacers under the radiator mounting holes (too thick on one side would cause the tilt)
If the tab with the mounting hole on the radiator is not situated between the fender and the frame, you can also get a tilt.

I will check these out in the morning. As well as post a photo. It was my understanding the mounting bolts were not adjustable.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 07-09-2015, 02:21 PM

Just "guessing" Vern,
Could it be that the radiator is OK, & "maybe" the headlights are KROOKEDY, because of a "not too perfect" bar, or "maybe" a fender brace needs some "TWEEKING"???----The "FACES" of these cars will sometimes play "TRICKS" on you.
Bill W.

vern hodgson · 07-10-2015, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brentwood Bob

Vern, a picture would help.
Will it adjust out by readjusting the radiator support rods?
The lower bolts are spring loaded and should be just tight enough to install the cotter pin.
Bob

Here are som pic's

vern hodgson · 07-10-2015, 12:26 AM

Another radiator photo showing tilt, setting a level across filler hole shows approx. half bubble off

vern hodgson · 07-10-2015, 12:29 AM

And showing a companion shim in the on the other side

Mike V. Florida · 07-10-2015, 02:23 AM

Vern, the picture in post 10 appears to me that the whole front end is twisted. The light bar is not level but the roof line on the cab is level.

Is the axle the same distance from the ground on both sides?
What do the spring perches look like?
Is the front cross member the same distance from the ground on both sides?
Is the front cross member the same distance from the axle on both sides?

Dollar Bill · 07-10-2015, 04:04 AM

Post 10 photo suggests the right frame rail is bent upward.

Fix it now or you will never get the good to fit properly.

aermotor · 07-10-2015, 04:32 AM

I don't understand the gap between the front cross member and the fender flange being so much different in pic 9 and pic 11.

PepeLoco · 07-10-2015, 04:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike V. Florida

Vern, the picture in post 10 appears to me that the whole front end is twisted. The light bar is not level but the roof line on the cab is level.

How does one "untwist" a front end?

Mike V. Florida · 07-10-2015, 05:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PepeLoco

How does one "untwist" a front end?

You need to find out EXACTLY where the bend is and then decide you you want to proceed. Body removal and have the frame straightened. have it straightened with the body on the frame.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 07-10-2015, 06:31 AM

Vern,
If it were mine, I'd pay a frame guy to come on his lunch hour & take a look/see. The frames are quite flexible & if it IS twisted, "maybe" they can un-twist it, WITHOUT dismantling everything. I've seen those guys do some AMAZING THINGS!!
I knew a BEAUTIFUL Brunete gal @ Lewis Frame, that was a WIZARD with problems like this!!
Bill W.

vern hodgson · 07-10-2015, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BILL WILLIAMSON

Vern,
If it were mine, I'd pay a frame guy to come on his lunch hour & take a look/see. The frames are quite flexible & if it IS twisted, "maybe" they can un-twist it, WITHOUT dismantling everything. I've seen those guys do some AMAZING THINGS!!
I knew a BEAUTIFUL Brunete gal @ Lewis Frame, that was a WIZARD with problems like this!!
Bill W.

How do I convince my wife it's my A frame she is untwisting?? I will
Check all suggestions and report back. The difference in the fender flange is that you are looking at the hood shelf still in place on that side, unclear in my out of focus photo. Does any know if a longer running board bolt exists as a remake the ones you buy do not fit with the cast brackets.?? Many thanks for all your comments.

Brentwood Bob · 07-10-2015, 08:33 PM

Is the front body block loose (pictured in #11). Mike in #12 outlines checking the front of the frame.
I suspect a problem with the frame.
Since the car is at a stage where the body can be lifted I would consider raising the body to check the frame.
Once you have the frame straight you can start the fitup of the body.
Bob

Bob C · 07-10-2015, 10:02 PM

I would check the rear spring to make sure the center bolt
is in the hole in the cross member that could also cause a twist in the frame.

Bob

07-08-2015, 09:37 AM	#2
Hoogah Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia Posts: 800	Re: Leaning radiator of tudor Didn't work for the Italians!! (Sorry, I'll leave the useful responses to the wise guys around here.)

07-08-2015, 11:07 AM	#3
Brentwood Bob Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: brentwood, ca Posts: 4,233	Re: Leaning radiator of tudor Vern, a picture would help. Will it adjust out by readjusting the radiator support rods? The lower bolts are spring loaded and should be just tight enough to install the cotter pin. Bob

07-08-2015, 11:44 AM	#4
heneste Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Ottawa,Ontario, Canada Posts: 271	Re: Leaning radiator of tudor It could be the lower bolts being too tight on one side It could also be any spacers under the radiator mounting holes (too thick on one side would cause the tilt) If the tab with the mounting hole on the radiator is not situated between the fender and the frame, you can also get a tilt.

07-08-2015, 12:06 PM	#5
2manycars Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Eastern CT Posts: 2,732	Re: Leaning radiator of tudor Most likely the radiator rods are not adjusted right. Is the hood fitting the cowl evenly all around?

07-09-2015, 02:21 PM	#8
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: Leaning radiator of tudor Just "guessing" Vern, Could it be that the radiator is OK, & "maybe" the headlights are KROOKEDY, because of a "not too perfect" bar, or "maybe" a fender brace needs some "TWEEKING"???----The "FACES" of these cars will sometimes play "TRICKS" on you. Bill W. __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"

07-08-2015, 09:05 AM	#1
vern hodgson Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: langley, wa. Posts: 642	Leaning radiator of tudor Looking at my car from the front the radiator is tilted to the right. Is it just a matter of adjusting the mounting bolts to square it up?

07-10-2015, 02:23 AM	#12
Mike V. Florida Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Florida Posts: 14,054	Re: Leaning radiator of tudor Vern, the picture in post 10 appears to me that the whole front end is twisted. The light bar is not level but the roof line on the cab is level. Is the axle the same distance from the ground on both sides? What do the spring perches look like? Is the front cross member the same distance from the ground on both sides? Is the front cross member the same distance from the axle on both sides? __________________ What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II

07-10-2015, 04:04 AM	#13
Dollar Bill Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Keystone Heights, FL Posts: 647	Re: Leaning radiator of tudor Post 10 photo suggests the right frame rail is bent upward. Fix it now or you will never get the good to fit properly. __________________ I Love Anything That Turns Money Into Noise

07-10-2015, 04:32 AM	#14
aermotor Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 1,099	Re: Leaning radiator of tudor I don't understand the gap between the front cross member and the fender flange being so much different in pic 9 and pic 11.

07-10-2015, 06:31 AM	#17
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: Leaning radiator of tudor Vern, If it were mine, I'd pay a frame guy to come on his lunch hour & take a look/see. The frames are quite flexible & if it IS twisted, "maybe" they can un-twist it, WITHOUT dismantling everything. I've seen those guys do some AMAZING THINGS!! I knew a BEAUTIFUL Brunete gal @ Lewis Frame, that was a WIZARD with problems like this!! Bill W. __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"

07-10-2015, 08:33 PM	#19
Brentwood Bob Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: brentwood, ca Posts: 4,233	Re: Leaning radiator of tudor Is the front body block loose (pictured in #11). Mike in #12 outlines checking the front of the frame. I suspect a problem with the frame. Since the car is at a stage where the body can be lifted I would consider raising the body to check the frame. Once you have the frame straight you can start the fitup of the body. Bob

07-10-2015, 10:02 PM	#20
Bob C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: So Cal Posts: 8,741	Re: Leaning radiator of tudor I would check the rear spring to make sure the center bolt is in the hole in the cross member that could also cause a twist in the frame. Bob

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