Where do these rods go? 1936 Fordor

[Stretch Cab]

I’m working on my chassis and have found two rods attached in front of the rear motor mounts on both sides of the frame. They are factory installed with a flat round head bolt flush with the frame and a square opening for tightening. The head of the left rod is shown on pg 82 of the 35/36 Ford book put out by the Early Ford Club. My bolts are cut off about 4” from the frame. What were these bolts used for?
Sorry for no picture I’m not at home to use my computer.

[my4dv8]

Sounds like engine steady rods. they go through round bosses on the rear of the block and are held by castellated nuts . As yours have been cut ,you may need to put a listing in the wanted section on here.

[VeryTangled]

Hi Everyone. Stretch Cab, I believe you are describing the 'stay rods,' 'anti-chatter rods,' or 'steady rods' that were designed (I think) to supplement the rear engine mount to increase longitudinal stability. The rear end is attached to the frame as you describe, the front end goes through the engine block.

[19Fordy]

They look like post #5 here.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...i+chatter+rods

[mercurycyclone]

See attached.

[Stretch Cab]

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Thanks for the help. I guess someone decided they were not needed years ago and cut them off.
I changed my search to the motor area of the 35/36 Ford book and they were listed there.

[Cool Hand Lurker]

When the rear wheels start moving the car the force is movind forward by way of the rear axle, torque tube, transmission and engine. The transverse rear spring will flex a bit fore and aft, allowing the force to be resisted only by the front motor mounts and crossmember. The rods you are asking about transfer the force to the frame behind the transmission area.

In later models with the open drive shaft the spline shaft is allowed to move fore and aft so there is no force transferred to the transmission and engine.

[Tom's36coupe]

Putting my 59AB motor back in the 36 coupe and I don't have them .My car has the closed drive shaft standard rear end setup. Anybody make them or know who sells a set? Thanks!

[JM 35 Sedan]

Originally Posted by Tom's36coupe

Putting my 59AB motor back in the 36 coupe and I don't have them .My car has the closed drive shaft standard rear end setup. Anybody make them or know who sells a set? Thanks!

So many of those steady rods were left off or cut off back in the day. Also, when original engines were replaced with the later 8ba engines, there was no provision on the bolt on bell housing to accept steady rods so they were probably just tossed after that. I doubt anyone is reproducing them, but I have seen home made versions. I see used sets advertised for sale here, on other internet website's, and at fleamarkets all the time. I'm sure there are NOS sets to be found and had.
I'm moving all of my old Ford parts collection now to a new location, and have found several sets I didn't even know I had

[V8COOPMAN]

This pic shows how the rods attach on either end. Their function is to restrict fore/aft movement of engine/trans as torque tube exerts extreme forces on the assembly when releasing clutch, as well as while sustaining normal cruise. DD

[terry]

The concept was still hazy for me till you showed this picture. Thanks coopman. Terry

[Don Rogers]

Most likely you will need the longer rod (48- 6044) as shown below.

[rotorwrench]

Ford used radius rods on anything that might move around too much other wise. The rear engine mount rubber can deteriorate to the point that the drive train will push the motor forward more than it should and this was the fix in the prewar model B & V8 era. Ford engineers felt that the later post war rear engine mount design was good enough that it was no longer needed in the 59 era but they really should have kept them.

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by rotorwrench

Ford engineers felt that the later post war rear engine mount design was good enough that it was no longer needed in the 59 era but they really should have kept them.

Well, you should remember that they DID retain this basic concept on Canadian-built cars. DD








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[Joe KCMO]

The purpose of the rods was to prevent the clutch from losing friction with the pressure plate when reversing. The rear wheels connected to the transmission my the drive shaft tube in reverse would kink the clutch causing slip. My 39 with an 8BA would not go in reverse on a slight incline because they were missing. Had to install so could go in reverse anywhere. You need them!

[Joe KCMO]

You can also make your own by welding a bolt perpendicular to the end of a threaded rod. Does not have to be threaded entire length. Will not get you a Senior badge at Hershey, but will definitely work and do it’s intended job. That’s what’s on my 39 with an 8BA, same for any 8 in the 30’s.

[Joe KCMO]

Error found.

[rotorwrench]

It's not just reversing that can suffer problems. The clutch linkage can get stressed either way. I've seen kits that have a support that attaches at the transmission bell flange but they only use a single rod to hold things solid. Here is a link to an old thread.
https://fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=254926