The Ford Barn

Bigphil · 11-11-2012, 12:28 PM

I'm restoring a 1931 A400 convertible sedan.
The cowl lamp assemblies are original, but not off this car.
The cowl arm tabs that extend forward and wrap around the cowl band don't
really "wrap around". The tips of the tabs actually contact the middle
of the cowl band. If I tighten up the bolt holding the arms, the tab will dent the cowl band.

The mounting holes for the cowl lamps are too far back, and should
be about 1/4" further forward, so that the front edge of the hole is even with
the back edge of the cowl band.

Is this a common problem ? I need some advice.

Bigphil, Anaheim, CA

Bigphil · 11-11-2012, 12:45 PM

Original cowl band, restored,nice and polished

Roadster62 · 11-11-2012, 02:03 PM

Do you have the wood blocks to keep the cowl from flexing as you tighten the bolt? Are the holes factory or drilled later? Bob

Bigphil · 11-11-2012, 02:07 PM

I have the wood blocks, and they are drilled and aligned properly.
The holes are factory drilled. On this deluxe model, cowl lamps were
standard equipment.

ctlikon0712 · 11-11-2012, 04:27 PM

Did all A400's have cowl lights? I'm pretty sure they all did. If I didn't know better it sounds like someone added an original set and drilled the holes 1/4" off. Sorry I don't have any advice, just musings..... Good luck

Blessyouboys · 11-11-2012, 04:30 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Why is this a poll?

peters180a/170b · 11-11-2012, 07:16 PM

Well i'll tell ya.... Mine comes close to the front edge. I might be guessing but maybe the plater took off some of you tip ??? Even if you put a slice[thickness of the sheet metal] in the cowl rod that goes thru your body to slide the cowl arm forward you might leave a gap behind the arm on the body.And sometimes when you have a cowl band restored the stainless might be raise to high then it should. That also happens. 1/4 " is way to off.

Craig Lewis · 11-11-2012, 11:42 PM

...some 30-31 cowl light pix

Craig Lewis · 11-12-2012, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blessyouboys

Why is this a poll?

Ain't nowhere safe no more....surfin Fordbarn and run into a lamp poll

Marco Tahtaras · 11-12-2012, 01:29 AM

This is a question not a poll! I'm not sure why I finally looked at it.

If you look closely at the alignment of your cowl band as it relates to the forward ledge of the of the hood opening you will find the cowl band has been drawn forward in that area. You should also find that the cowl band is no longer close or hugging the beltline on the cowl.

James Rogers · 11-12-2012, 06:56 AM

Is it possible your cowl band is on backwards or if not is it slid back far enough?

View Poll Results: Cowl lamps don't fit very well.
Live with it.	4	40.00%
Here's how to fix it.	3	30.00%
There are other cowl lamp arms.	3	30.00%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 10. You may not vote on this poll

11-11-2012, 12:28 PM	#1
Bigphil Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 20	Cowl lamps don't fit very well. I'm restoring a 1931 A400 convertible sedan. The cowl lamp assemblies are original, but not off this car. The cowl arm tabs that extend forward and wrap around the cowl band don't really "wrap around". The tips of the tabs actually contact the middle of the cowl band. If I tighten up the bolt holding the arms, the tab will dent the cowl band. The mounting holes for the cowl lamps are too far back, and should be about 1/4" further forward, so that the front edge of the hole is even with the back edge of the cowl band. Is this a common problem ? I need some advice. Bigphil, Anaheim, CA

11-11-2012, 12:45 PM	#2
Bigphil Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 20	Re: Cowl lamps don't fit very well. Original cowl band, restored,nice and polished

11-11-2012, 02:03 PM	#3
Roadster62 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ridgefield, Ct Posts: 3,441	Re: Cowl lamps don't fit very well. Do you have the wood blocks to keep the cowl from flexing as you tighten the bolt? Are the holes factory or drilled later? Bob __________________ They don't have to run to be enjoyed. I'm here to enjoy the hobby, and enjoy the cars no matter what they look like. Most of the worlds problems are electrical.

11-11-2012, 02:07 PM	#4
Bigphil Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 20	Re: Cowl lamps don't fit very well. I have the wood blocks, and they are drilled and aligned properly. The holes are factory drilled. On this deluxe model, cowl lamps were standard equipment.

11-11-2012, 04:27 PM	#5
ctlikon0712 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Cocoa, Florida Posts: 1,609	Re: Cowl lamps don't fit very well. Did all A400's have cowl lights? I'm pretty sure they all did. If I didn't know better it sounds like someone added an original set and drilled the holes 1/4" off. Sorry I don't have any advice, just musings..... Good luck __________________ Wanted: Simmons Super Power Head Craig Likon 1931 150B

11-11-2012, 04:30 PM	#6
Blessyouboys Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Blissful Posts: 298	Re: Cowl lamps don't fit very well. Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Why is this a poll?

11-11-2012, 07:16 PM	#7
peters180a/170b Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Putnam Valley N.Y. Posts: 2,151	Re: Cowl lamps don't fit very well. Well i'll tell ya.... Mine comes close to the front edge. I might be guessing but maybe the plater took off some of you tip ??? Even if you put a slice[thickness of the sheet metal] in the cowl rod that goes thru your body to slide the cowl arm forward you might leave a gap behind the arm on the body.And sometimes when you have a cowl band restored the stainless might be raise to high then it should. That also happens. 1/4 " is way to off.

11-12-2012, 01:29 AM	#10
Marco Tahtaras Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 3,099	Re: Cowl lamps don't fit very well. This is a question not a poll! I'm not sure why I finally looked at it. If you look closely at the alignment of your cowl band as it relates to the forward ledge of the of the hood opening you will find the cowl band has been drawn forward in that area. You should also find that the cowl band is no longer close or hugging the beltline on the cowl. __________________ http://www.abarnyard.com/

11-12-2012, 06:56 AM	#11
James Rogers Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Asheville,NC Posts: 3,104	Re: Cowl lamps don't fit very well. Is it possible your cowl band is on backwards or if not is it slid back far enough? __________________ http://www.model-a-ford-4bangers.com/