1932 K Member

[Smitty]

How does one tell the difference between a Model B 4cyl K Member and the V8 version. Apparently there is some difference.


Thanks, Steve

[DavidG]

There's no engine-based difference in '32 center cross members. Where that idea may arisen is from the fact that the center cross member changed numerous times during the '32 model year. Initially, it had no legs (instead of being shaped like a K it was shaped like an I) and both the four and V8 engines had separate steady rod brackets attached to their bell housings and the steady rods for both engines attached to the center cross member in the exact same locations. That initial version was very short lived and the chances of you encountering one of them are seriously small.

The next version had the added legs (becoming K-shaped), but the legs had riveted-on brackets for the pedals. This version was accompanied by revised steady rod brackets for the V8 which brought the rods in closer to the bell housing and by the addition of holes in main portion of the cross member to accept the narrower spacing of the V8 steady rods. Like the initial version, the second version was very short lived and you likely won't encounter one of those either, but if you do it can accommodate both fours and all V8s whether they have cast-in provision for the steady road attachment on their bell housings (which is the case with 95% of all V8 engines) or are one of the early 5% of the V8 blocks with separate steady rod brackets. (All '32 fours had separate steady rod brackets; the '33-'34 four cylinder bell housings have the steady rod attachment holes cast in.)

The run-of-the-mill K member with a separate bolt-on bracket for the pedals followed and while some variations exist in the shape of the holes in the legs of the K and the upper back lip on the right side of the center section was altered to provide more clearance for installing and removing the battery in a RHD V8 application, this version is typical of nearly all that you will encounter.

[Smitty]

Thanks, That answers a lot of questions and myths.

[Mart]

Yes, thanks David. Lots of good detailed info there.

[Tim Ayers]

David:

Was the "I" K member discarded due to frame twisting issues? Did Ford issue a "recall" to add legs to those frames?

[DavidG]

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Tim,


They weren't discarded, the legs were added with rivets in plant and at dealers via a service campaign (recall) with rivets if the dealer had the capability or if not, with bolts, etc. In some cases the holes for the legs were already present so no drilling was required. In the earliest frames, the holes would have to be drilled.


It was part of one two larger service campaigns in April, and was mandatory. Despite this, I know of at least four frames that escaped the recall and have no legs. The pedal bracket had to be replaced at the same time the legs were added.


The photos below show one of the four. Also shown is a photo of the pedal bracket used with legless cross members (it is upside down in the photo; ignore the shadows). In the photos of the legless cross member, note the outboard placement of the engine steady rods on the front of the cross member (not through the member as with the later rods). More difficult to perceive in the photos is the greater diameter of the steady rods compared to the later versions. Not shown are the separate steady rod brackets on the sides of the so-called (flange block V8) engine mentioned above.


The last photo is from Ford's archives showing an overhead view of a super early chassis without the legs.

[Tim Ayers]

Thank you, David. Very interesting.