The Ford Barn

Vics Stuff · 02-25-2016, 06:35 PM

Hey Guys I have a 32 coupe that I am welding frame mounts for the radiator.
Does the radiator have some type of rubber pad / spring that isolates the radiator from the frame and if so how far down from the top of the frame does the radiator mount attach ? The radiator mounting kit indicates that the mount is 1/2 " down from the top of the frame and when I set my radiator with grill shell on these mounts , the shell sets down between the frame rails and just barely touches both sides of the frame. My concern is that the radiator is setting to far down in the frame and the radiator mounting tabs should be even with the top of the frame allowing ample clearance for side to side adjustment to the hood.
Any experts out there or diagrams available ?
Any help is appreciated to prevent me from making a terrible mistake.
Thanks Vic
Here is my contact number (907) 529-5996 e mail address [email protected]

JSeery · 02-25-2016, 07:09 PM

Try the frame drawings, there are a lot of different sources online. I would think a little on the low side would be better than to high. You can always shim it up but it is a lot harder to lower if it ends up to high.

Krylon32 · 02-25-2016, 07:12 PM

There is a rubber pad.You will adjust the height of your radiator and shell when you are fitting the hood. I've had them all over the place. You may have to use some sort of shim to get the hood, cowl, and shell to align.

DavidG · 02-25-2016, 08:54 PM

One-half inch sounds a bit much, but the mounting surfaces for the radiator were originally below the plane of the top of the side rails. The radiator shell side bottoms should have clearance for the thickness of the flanges of the front fenders plus 1/16" webbing between the front fenders and the top of the frame without touching the tops of the front fender flanges.

The radiator originally sat on reinforced rubber pads about a 1/8" thick.

Vics Stuff · 02-25-2016, 08:56 PM

I thought that 1/2" below the frame was a bit much , but as mentioned it is easier to raise the radiator to get proper clearance and fit than to high and have to lower the mounts.
That makes perfectly good sense. I was just concerned that the grill shell would make side contact with the frame. Are they that close ?
Thanks JSeery on the drawing.
Vic

Vics Stuff · 02-25-2016, 09:03 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Thank you JSeery on the diagram. That will really help.
I just thought that with the radiator mount was so low that the grill shell is going to hit. Now I will go back out and remeasure my frame.
Thank you guys for the input.
Vic

DavidG · 02-25-2016, 09:30 PM

Not much more than an 1/8" clearance from the bottom of the sides to the top of frame rail.

Bored&Stroked · 02-25-2016, 11:42 PM

I just went out and looked at my 32 (all original frame, etc) - I think DavidG has it about right. It definitely isn't a 1/2" - 1/8" is pretty close. As Krylon noted, you'll see folks shim this area a variety of ways - to align the hood, grill shell and cowl.

Vics Stuff · 02-26-2016, 12:49 AM

I am going to remove the radiator mounts and raise them up a bit. With the way it was , I needed to notch the frame rails to clear stainless steel grill shell trim and I did not want to do that. Thank you all for your input. I am sure I will have other questions as I resurect this old girl.
Vic

Vics Stuff · 02-26-2016, 01:42 AM

I went back on line and found as mentioned a couple of good drawings of my frame. So now I will get back out in my shop on Thursday and pull everything into place. I think that will get me started on the right track.
Vic

glennpm · 02-26-2016, 11:02 AM

Hi,

I agree on the 1/8" too.

Vic, can you please post the links to the drawings you found?

Thanks

Vics Stuff · 02-26-2016, 11:26 AM

www.wescottsauto.com/SubIndexes/Techindex.html
ingenious-intelligence.com/XYGkOBOSchs

The wescotts was the easiest to read . The others were a bit small in writing , but if you were to google 1932 Ford frame dimensions , you will see many drawings published. Wescotts was updated in 2009. I remember back in 1993 when I started and before the computer age. I was working with Dee Wescott on their old drawings that were printed on the back of their book to help in correcting some error dimensions and I see that they made these corrections and updated their file.
Vic

glennpm · 02-26-2016, 11:26 AM

Great, thanks!

Andy · 02-26-2016, 11:29 AM

I would mock up the hood and shell. A friend built a Brookville roadster with ASC rails. The rails had too much rise in the front and he had to bend the rails down to fit the hood. Original hood and shell.

JSeery · 02-26-2016, 11:34 AM

Not sure why all of the frame dimension drawings are showing 1/2 inch? If it was me, I would go with the 1/2 inch measurement and use a 3/8 inch spacer (this is assuming a non-restoration frame!). That would allow for a lot of adjustment when fitting the sheet metal and grill, but that is just me. If it was a restoration it would be a different matter, but don't think you would be welding in radiator mounts on a restoration as they are part of the front crossmember.

Vics Stuff · 02-26-2016, 07:16 PM

I have to confess ! I am installing a Heidts IFS in this frame , do not kill me guys. Just found out that my frame rail spacing @ axle center line was 1/2" narrower that it should have been according to the drawings. So I cut out the x member and trimmed it up a bit to make the distance and tacked welded the x member back in and will see how my radiator spacing comes out.
Thanks for all you guys help
Vic from Alaska

Krylon32 · 02-26-2016, 08:25 PM

I have done dozens of Heidts Super Ride fronts into 32 chassis and have always used the 1/2 inch measurement suggested in their instructions as I have thought it easier to shim the radiator up if needed. On the straight axle chassis I do I try to maintain the radiator mounts about 1/4 to 3/8th down from the top of the rails. Never had a problem lining the front sheet metal.

Vics Stuff · 02-27-2016, 12:40 AM

Krylon32
I did decide to set the radiator mount @ 1/2" as per heidts instructions. After removing the X member and widening the frame 1/4"at the x member weldment to achieve the 25 3/4" outside to outside . This got me the clearance that I needed for the grill shell and some side to side adjustment for the hood / fenders.
Vic

Bored&Stroked · 02-27-2016, 09:27 AM

Hey Vic - glad you got things sorted out and corrected the too-narrow dimension. Sounds like it was a good time to get this done! Even though it is a IFS, drop us some pictures of the work when done - always worth learning . . . even "modern stuff".

Vics Stuff · 02-27-2016, 12:19 PM

Bored&Stroked . I am one for making things correct right off , otherwise things will be more complicated as I continued on just like starting a building with a good foundation. If not it only gets worse as you go to the top.
Will get some pics posted tomorrow with the suspension assembled.
Thanks again for all the help it really made a difference.
Vic

02-25-2016, 06:35 PM	#1
Vics Stuff Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Reno Nevada Posts: 391	Radiator frame mounts on a 32 Hey Guys I have a 32 coupe that I am welding frame mounts for the radiator. Does the radiator have some type of rubber pad / spring that isolates the radiator from the frame and if so how far down from the top of the frame does the radiator mount attach ? The radiator mounting kit indicates that the mount is 1/2 " down from the top of the frame and when I set my radiator with grill shell on these mounts , the shell sets down between the frame rails and just barely touches both sides of the frame. My concern is that the radiator is setting to far down in the frame and the radiator mounting tabs should be even with the top of the frame allowing ample clearance for side to side adjustment to the hood. Any experts out there or diagrams available ? Any help is appreciated to prevent me from making a terrible mistake. Thanks Vic Here is my contact number (907) 529-5996 e mail address [email protected] Last edited by Vics Stuff; 02-25-2016 at 06:42 PM. Reason: forgot e mail and contact phone number

02-25-2016, 07:12 PM	#3
Krylon32 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 4,484	Re: Radiator frame mounts on a 32 There is a rubber pad.You will adjust the height of your radiator and shell when you are fitting the hood. I've had them all over the place. You may have to use some sort of shim to get the hood, cowl, and shell to align.

02-25-2016, 08:54 PM	#4
DavidG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: southeastern Michigan Posts: 10,101	Re: Radiator frame mounts on a 32 One-half inch sounds a bit much, but the mounting surfaces for the radiator were originally below the plane of the top of the side rails. The radiator shell side bottoms should have clearance for the thickness of the flanges of the front fenders plus 1/16" webbing between the front fenders and the top of the frame without touching the tops of the front fender flanges. The radiator originally sat on reinforced rubber pads about a 1/8" thick.

02-25-2016, 08:56 PM	#5
Vics Stuff Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Reno Nevada Posts: 391	Re: Radiator frame mounts on a 32 I thought that 1/2" below the frame was a bit much , but as mentioned it is easier to raise the radiator to get proper clearance and fit than to high and have to lower the mounts. That makes perfectly good sense. I was just concerned that the grill shell would make side contact with the frame. Are they that close ? Thanks JSeery on the drawing. Vic

02-25-2016, 09:03 PM	#6
Vics Stuff Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Reno Nevada Posts: 391	Re: Radiator frame mounts on a 32 Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Thank you JSeery on the diagram. That will really help. I just thought that with the radiator mount was so low that the grill shell is going to hit. Now I will go back out and remeasure my frame. Thank you guys for the input. Vic

02-25-2016, 09:30 PM	#7
DavidG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: southeastern Michigan Posts: 10,101	Re: Radiator frame mounts on a 32 Not much more than an 1/8" clearance from the bottom of the sides to the top of frame rail.

02-25-2016, 11:42 PM	#8
Bored&Stroked Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 5,067	Re: Radiator frame mounts on a 32 I just went out and looked at my 32 (all original frame, etc) - I think DavidG has it about right. It definitely isn't a 1/2" - 1/8" is pretty close. As Krylon noted, you'll see folks shim this area a variety of ways - to align the hood, grill shell and cowl.

02-26-2016, 12:49 AM	#9
Vics Stuff Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Reno Nevada Posts: 391	Re: Radiator frame mounts on a 32 I am going to remove the radiator mounts and raise them up a bit. With the way it was , I needed to notch the frame rails to clear stainless steel grill shell trim and I did not want to do that. Thank you all for your input. I am sure I will have other questions as I resurect this old girl. Vic

02-26-2016, 01:42 AM	#10
Vics Stuff Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Reno Nevada Posts: 391	Re: Radiator frame mounts on a 32 I went back on line and found as mentioned a couple of good drawings of my frame. So now I will get back out in my shop on Thursday and pull everything into place. I think that will get me started on the right track. Vic

02-26-2016, 11:02 AM	#11
glennpm Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Wiscasset, Maine Posts: 1,981	Re: Radiator frame mounts on a 32 Hi, I agree on the 1/8" too. Vic, can you please post the links to the drawings you found? Thanks

02-26-2016, 11:26 AM	#12
Vics Stuff Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Reno Nevada Posts: 391	Re: Radiator frame mounts on a 32 www.wescottsauto.com/SubIndexes/Techindex.html ingenious-intelligence.com/XYGkOBOSchs The wescotts was the easiest to read . The others were a bit small in writing , but if you were to google 1932 Ford frame dimensions , you will see many drawings published. Wescotts was updated in 2009. I remember back in 1993 when I started and before the computer age. I was working with Dee Wescott on their old drawings that were printed on the back of their book to help in correcting some error dimensions and I see that they made these corrections and updated their file. Vic

02-26-2016, 11:26 AM	#13
glennpm Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Wiscasset, Maine Posts: 1,981	Re: Radiator frame mounts on a 32 Great, thanks!

02-26-2016, 11:29 AM	#14
Andy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Kerrville, Tx Posts: 2,770	Re: Radiator frame mounts on a 32 I would mock up the hood and shell. A friend built a Brookville roadster with ASC rails. The rails had too much rise in the front and he had to bend the rails down to fit the hood. Original hood and shell.

02-26-2016, 11:34 AM	#15
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: Radiator frame mounts on a 32 Not sure why all of the frame dimension drawings are showing 1/2 inch? If it was me, I would go with the 1/2 inch measurement and use a 3/8 inch spacer (this is assuming a non-restoration frame!). That would allow for a lot of adjustment when fitting the sheet metal and grill, but that is just me. If it was a restoration it would be a different matter, but don't think you would be welding in radiator mounts on a restoration as they are part of the front crossmember.

02-26-2016, 07:16 PM	#16
Vics Stuff Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Reno Nevada Posts: 391	Re: Radiator frame mounts on a 32 I have to confess ! I am installing a Heidts IFS in this frame , do not kill me guys. Just found out that my frame rail spacing @ axle center line was 1/2" narrower that it should have been according to the drawings. So I cut out the x member and trimmed it up a bit to make the distance and tacked welded the x member back in and will see how my radiator spacing comes out. Thanks for all you guys help Vic from Alaska

02-26-2016, 08:25 PM	#17
Krylon32 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 4,484	Re: Radiator frame mounts on a 32 I have done dozens of Heidts Super Ride fronts into 32 chassis and have always used the 1/2 inch measurement suggested in their instructions as I have thought it easier to shim the radiator up if needed. On the straight axle chassis I do I try to maintain the radiator mounts about 1/4 to 3/8th down from the top of the rails. Never had a problem lining the front sheet metal.

02-27-2016, 12:40 AM	#18
Vics Stuff Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Reno Nevada Posts: 391	Re: Radiator frame mounts on a 32 Krylon32 I did decide to set the radiator mount @ 1/2" as per heidts instructions. After removing the X member and widening the frame 1/4"at the x member weldment to achieve the 25 3/4" outside to outside . This got me the clearance that I needed for the grill shell and some side to side adjustment for the hood / fenders. Vic

02-27-2016, 09:27 AM	#19
Bored&Stroked Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 5,067	Re: Radiator frame mounts on a 32 Hey Vic - glad you got things sorted out and corrected the too-narrow dimension. Sounds like it was a good time to get this done! Even though it is a IFS, drop us some pictures of the work when done - always worth learning . . . even "modern stuff".

02-27-2016, 12:19 PM	#20
Vics Stuff Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Reno Nevada Posts: 391	Re: Radiator frame mounts on a 32 Bored&Stroked . I am one for making things correct right off , otherwise things will be more complicated as I continued on just like starting a building with a good foundation. If not it only gets worse as you go to the top. Will get some pics posted tomorrow with the suspension assembled. Thanks again for all the help it really made a difference. Vic