The Ford Barn

The Geezer · 08-26-2023, 01:46 PM

I am trying to lift my 31 Sport Coupe body to adjust with shims. I have loosened the 4 body bolts that are with the wood body blocks. Are there any other ones I am missing?

JayJay · 08-26-2023, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Geezer

I am trying to lift my 31 Sport Coupe body to adjust with shims. I have loosened the 4 body bolts that are with the wood body blocks. Are there any other ones I am missing?

Did you get the ones at the front of the cowl? The bolt heads are sort of hidden inside the cowl structure.

Also, don't forget that the front of the rear fender is attached to the back of the running board, and those bolts need to be loosened in order for the body to lift independent of the frame.

You probably already disconnected the steering column clamp and removed the choke rod but if you didn't you should do that too.

rotorwrench · 08-26-2023, 02:41 PM

The front mount for the cowl has two bolts each side for the through the block mounting and one bolt each side for the very forward most attachment but those bolts don't go through the blocks.

The second location has one bolt each side through the blocks.

The third location has one bolt each side through the blocks.

The rear most location has one bolt each side through the long blocks for a grand total of twelve bolts.

The body can also snag the starter pedal.

The Geezer · 08-26-2023, 03:02 PM

Thanks all,
Yes I took off the steering column clamps, fuel and vacuum line, as well as the GAV rod.
I will look for the fender to running board. I have the foreward most cowl bolt (without the block) loose, but is there another right behind it? Will look for finding 6 bolts per side!

gdmn852 · 08-26-2023, 03:02 PM

Hello, a picture of forward most bolt on brace attached to firewall and two that mount wood block at cowl to frame.This car is a roadster but should be similar,May also have a bolt and nut at door post area that is attached to the body block but not to the frame.

The Geezer · 08-26-2023, 05:00 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Thanks gdmn852,
I got the bolt and nut at door post area. Looks like one more to track down!

Phil Brown · 08-26-2023, 06:21 PM

Maybe this will help you locate the bolts

Phil Brown · 08-26-2023, 06:30 PM

Sorry that its not more clear, you should have bolts at locations1,2,4,5, and 9
Frame pic is the #’s 1-9 left to right, #1 bolts are at the firewall or the front of the cowl,

nkaminar · 08-26-2023, 07:54 PM

The smart @$$ answer to how many body bolts to loosen is all of them.

Phil Brown · 08-26-2023, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nkaminar

The smart @$$ answer to how many body bolts to loosen is all of them.

we all thought it so someone had to say it

The Geezer · 08-27-2023, 12:53 PM

Thanks Phil...EXCELLENT help!

Now as for nkaminar...your answer translates into "Never hit a man when he's down...
kick him, it's easier"!!

LMAO, loved the humor! and thanks to all for your help.

rotorwrench · 08-27-2023, 12:57 PM

The Les Andrews maintenance book shows the different ways that the different models are secured. There are subtle differences between the 1928/29 and the 1930/31 frames. They punched more holes than are used by any one type grouping. This is a good book to have even if it doesn't use photos.

gdmn852 · 08-27-2023, 04:09 PM

Hello again, if you can save the original bolts, the after market ones are not direct replacement, different heads thread size , but will work.

The Geezer · 08-27-2023, 07:50 PM

Thanks gdmn852,
I am just loosening the nuts to the end of the bolt, don't want to take them all out and run into an alignment problem. Just shimming the cowl (and maybe the doors) to adjust the hood corner to the cowl. The lower right drivers side corner and lower left passenger side corner are off about 1/2". I installed a brassworks radiator that is very slightly higher thus throwing the hood alignment off.

gdmn852 · 08-29-2023, 08:18 PM

Hello, 1/2 is a lot to shim on the cowl , you may want to contact who you bought the radiator from.Seems 1/2 is a lot to shim and have a large gap between the running board splash aprons and body plus the hood latches may not be able to extend that much.

08-26-2023, 02:41 PM	#3
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,477	Re: How many body bolts to lossen? The front mount for the cowl has two bolts each side for the through the block mounting and one bolt each side for the very forward most attachment but those bolts don't go through the blocks. The second location has one bolt each side through the blocks. The third location has one bolt each side through the blocks. The rear most location has one bolt each side through the long blocks for a grand total of twelve bolts. The body can also snag the starter pedal.

08-26-2023, 03:02 PM	#4
The Geezer Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2022 Location: The Villages FL Posts: 140	Re: How many body bolts to lossen? Thanks all, Yes I took off the steering column clamps, fuel and vacuum line, as well as the GAV rod. I will look for the fender to running board. I have the foreward most cowl bolt (without the block) loose, but is there another right behind it? Will look for finding 6 bolts per side! __________________ “Finally driving a car older than me!”

08-26-2023, 05:00 PM	#6
The Geezer Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2022 Location: The Villages FL Posts: 140	Re: How many body bolts to lossen? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Thanks gdmn852, I got the bolt and nut at door post area. Looks like one more to track down! __________________ “Finally driving a car older than me!”

08-26-2023, 06:30 PM	#8
Phil Brown Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Santee Calif. Posts: 513	Re: How many body bolts to lossen? Sorry that its not more clear, you should have bolts at locations1,2,4,5, and 9 Frame pic is the #’s 1-9 left to right, #1 bolts are at the firewall or the front of the cowl,

08-26-2023, 07:54 PM	#9
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,960	Re: How many body bolts to lossen? The smart @$$ answer to how many body bolts to loosen is all of them. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

08-26-2023, 01:46 PM	#1
The Geezer Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2022 Location: The Villages FL Posts: 140	How many body bolts to lossen? I am trying to lift my 31 Sport Coupe body to adjust with shims. I have loosened the 4 body bolts that are with the wood body blocks. Are there any other ones I am missing? __________________ “Finally driving a car older than me!”

08-27-2023, 12:53 PM	#11
The Geezer Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2022 Location: The Villages FL Posts: 140	Re: How many body bolts to lossen? Thanks Phil...EXCELLENT help! Now as for nkaminar...your answer translates into "Never hit a man when he's down... kick him, it's easier"!! LMAO, loved the humor! and thanks to all for your help. __________________ “Finally driving a car older than me!”

08-27-2023, 12:57 PM	#12
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,477	Re: How many body bolts to lossen? The Les Andrews maintenance book shows the different ways that the different models are secured. There are subtle differences between the 1928/29 and the 1930/31 frames. They punched more holes than are used by any one type grouping. This is a good book to have even if it doesn't use photos.

08-27-2023, 04:09 PM	#13
gdmn852 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Erie Pa Posts: 689	Re: How many body bolts to lossen? Hello again, if you can save the original bolts, the after market ones are not direct replacement, different heads thread size , but will work.

08-27-2023, 07:50 PM	#14
The Geezer Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2022 Location: The Villages FL Posts: 140	Re: How many body bolts to lossen? Thanks gdmn852, I am just loosening the nuts to the end of the bolt, don't want to take them all out and run into an alignment problem. Just shimming the cowl (and maybe the doors) to adjust the hood corner to the cowl. The lower right drivers side corner and lower left passenger side corner are off about 1/2". I installed a brassworks radiator that is very slightly higher thus throwing the hood alignment off. __________________ “Finally driving a car older than me!”

08-29-2023, 08:18 PM	#15
gdmn852 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Erie Pa Posts: 689	Re: How many body bolts to lossen? Hello, 1/2 is a lot to shim on the cowl , you may want to contact who you bought the radiator from.Seems 1/2 is a lot to shim and have a large gap between the running board splash aprons and body plus the hood latches may not be able to extend that much.