1933 inner fender question?

[DavidG]

Okay, I note that you have the early '33 version of the bumper brackets and the nature of the repairs suggests it arose from a collision. The later version increased the length of the inside of the brackets and significantly increased the distance between the two mounting holes. All that matters not in the subject at hand except to the extent that said collision gave rise to not-easy-to-perceive distortions rearward in the frame (the energy of the collision had to be dissipated somewhere further along the frame rails). Regardless, your objective is to get the radiator/grille assembly in sync with the cowl to the best possible extent. As David J suggests, maybe this may involve pads of different thicknesses beneath the feet of the radiator.


I note in the top photo of your latest two that the key holes in the radiator side shows evidence of damage. If those holes are distorted in any why they can affect the fit of the grille on the radiator and even if the radiator is perfectly aligned with the cowl, the grille may not be enjoy the same alignment.


Yes, it is quite a job, even with cars than have never had any frame damage or had any parts replaced, because of the number of variables involved. Take them one at a time and you'll get through it. This hobby requires large measures of patience and perseverance.

[DavidG]

I should have added that given that your hinge molding is original, I would not shorten it, even as a last resort, as the root cause(s) for your fit problems lie elsewhere.

[David J]

Some good points and agree don't cut the hinge yet .

Stop by and we'll put it on one of my favorite toys in the pics .
It , 8 plumbobs a couple tapes and 4 laser levels and we'll know what it needs pronto .
And be able to fix it .

That said you need to line the front edge of the hood tops with the center strip . Your right is back a little and your left is back quite a bit more .
This is causing a false reading on gaps .

Dou you have pads under the radiator ?
If yes take the left one out and see the affect .
Should help .

May well need the mounting pads tapped down . If you do this do it with many lighter blows and support it directly under the crossmember to control where it flexes .
Not a full hit with a 15 pounder .

If your cowl vent door is not fitting well open it and check the cowl top itself . Better than the door anyway .

[rockfla]

Thank you DavidG & DavidJ for all of the "expert" direction here, I have copied and pasted ALL of your instructions for when my 33 comes to its time for restoration. Thank you once again.

[David J]

I do not have the grille to radiator brackets in when fitting this stage up .
DavidG mentioned damage to your radiator sides so I would be sure to get the 4 brackets out .

Address the fit of those at a later stage .
Doing a little repair to the radiator sides will not change the fit of the hood-grille-cowl .

[lotsagas4u]

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DavidJ, DavidG, cold here this morning, hopefully it will warm some today, will tear it back down to radiator, then remove drivers side pad first, will check level of brace rods, you could write a book on these stages,

As said THANKS TO BOTH OF YOU

[lotsagas4u]

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[lotsagas4u]

Ok, got it stripped down again, removed drivers side/left pad, you can see level on front frame is good, level on cowl is slightly off.

[lotsagas4u]

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[lotsagas4u]

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[lotsagas4u]

DavidJ, rechecked cowl with door open, cowl is level

[David J]

Just got home . Looks promising . Lets try fitting the hood and make sure the hood center strip is flush with the hood tops in front .

[lotsagas4u]

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[lotsagas4u]

DavidJ, my helper left early today. The radiator looks low to me, the support rods are fairly straight, but still show a low radiator. What is a sure way to check at this point?

[David J]

Low radiator will make too much gap on the hood tops and tight at the bottom of the hood sides .

[lotsagas4u]

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[lotsagas4u]

Made some real progress today, drivers side needs a bit more adjustment.

BIG THANKS TO DAVIDJ

[David J]

Switched to phone conversations but what is being addressed here is radiator placement . Getting pretty decent but the hood tops look to be back slightly compared to the center hinge . Again this gives a false reading on gaps .

[lotsagas4u]

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[lotsagas4u]

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