Front cross member

[Dean Lemoine]

I'll be sandblasting the frame on my '29 Tudor soon but I noticed the front cross member is bolted to the frame rails. The others are riveted. Is this Normal or was it possibly replaced at one time?

[Mike Peters]

Replaced. Check to see if it's correct for a 29. Should have a raised area where the radiator mounts. 30-31 were recessed.

[Dean Lemoine]

Raised area like this?

[Steve Plucker]

Dean,

Here is something that you can review to get the right crossmember for your frame if need be:

http://www.plucks329s.org/pdf/frame/..._Assembly2.pdf

Pluck

[Dean Lemoine]

Wow, thanks. That's great information

[37 Coupe]

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It looks like a 1931 crossmember with the radiator overflow tube drain or access hole.

[jw hash]

37 is correct. it is a 30-31 cross member

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Two things to note Dean. Generally speaking from my experience, when the crossmember has been damaged enough that it required replacing, the frame is going to be skewed and will require straightening.


Additionally, the rivet holes were originally reamed to 0.1877" for use with a 3/16" rivet, --and when they bolted the crossmember in, they likely drilled the holes to 0.250" to accept the 1/4" bolts. These holes will need to be welded closed and re-drilled to a minimum of 0.1875, and the 3/16ths rivets bucked with a 3X Rivet Gun (-not an air hammer). The correct dimension for locating the crossmember is 31.068" from the center of the radiator hole back to the center of the front body bolt hole (measured in a straight line). You will need to replace your front crossmember with a correct one that has the proper holes.

[Dean Lemoine]

What am I looking for in my picture to indicate it's a 30/31 and not a 29?

[Bob C]

Originally Posted by Dean Lemoine

What am I looking for in my picture to indicate it's a 30/31 and not a 29?

Read page 16 "FRAME ASSEMBLY A-5005-C" in the link Steve posted.


Bob

[Dean Lemoine]

The frame doesn't appear to have been repaired in any way. It's level across the rails on jack stands and measures "square" everywhere. Apparently the car had been wrecked though, I just realized it has a '30-'31 front bumper. Thanks to all for the information.

[Mikeinnj]

Dean, The 30-31 radiator is taller than the 28-29 radiator.

Ford modified the old cross member by lowering the surface that the radiator mounts over to compensate for the taller radiator.

Using a 30-31 front cross member with a 28-29 body will cause body alignment problems as the radiator will sit too high and not line up with the hood and cowl.

[37 Coupe]

Originally Posted by Mikeinnj

Dean, The 30-31 radiator is taller than the 28-29 radiator.

Ford modified the old cross member by lowering the surface that the radiator mounts over to compensate for the taller radiator.

Using a 30-31 front cross member with a 28-29 body will cause body alignment problems as the radiator will sit too high and not line up with the hood and cowl.

Wouldn't it be the other way around?Using a '28 '29 radiator with this crossmmber I would think everything would be too low but easier to fix then a '30 '31 on a higher '28 '29 crossmember.I would think you could just bring radiator and grill up higher with the crossmember you have in your frame.

[Dean Lemoine]

The radiator I have has screw threads on the neck. I'm thinking that makes it a 28-29 radiator(?). I wonder how much wiggle room there is with the mounting bolts, springs and pads in helping to line up the hood and cowl.

[Dean Lemoine]

Thanks again for all of the help and information

[Mikeinnj]

Originally Posted by 37 Coupe

Wouldn't it be the other way around?Using a '28 '29 radiator with this crossmmber I would think everything would be too low but easier to fix then a '30 '31 on a higher '28 '29 crossmember.I would think you could just bring radiator and grill up higher with the crossmember you have in your frame.

Yes, I stand corrected. Meant to say the opposite of what I said. Mike

[Mike Peters]

Dean: If you can' get your hands on a 28-29 cross member to replace the late one you have, you could experiment with rubber pads at the base of your radiator when it comes time for hood alignment? We're only talking a half inch or so too low. Just raise up the radiator.

[Dean Lemoine]

Thanks Mike. I'll see how the alignment works out when the time comes. I sandblasted, primed and painted the frame today. Obviously, it'll be a little while before hood alignment becomes a concern, but I'm looking forward to it. Thanks again.

[Bob C]

Ford went to the lower radiator mounting on the front cross member in late 1929.

They supplied shims A-8126-R and longer bolts to raise the radiator so your good to go.



Bob