1932 bumpers: straight or slightly curved?

[Lincolnville]

In reviewing a post from 10/15/2013 I ran across the following relative to the curvature of the 1932 bumper:
"It bows outward 1/2" in the center between the bolt holes measured on the back of the bumper."

I have three bumpers and all three appear to be original. The first is bowed outward by 3/4" between the bolt holes, the second is bowed outward by 1/2" between the bolt holes and the third is straight as an arrow - no bowing.

At the center the first bumper bows a total of 5 3/4" outward, the second bows 4" and the third bows 3" outward.

How much should an original bumper bow outward at the center?

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by Lincolnville

In reviewing a post from 10/15/2013 I ran across the following relative to the curvature of the 1932 bumper:
"It bows outward 1/2" in the center between the bolt holes measured on the back of the bumper."

I have three bumpers and all three appear to be original. The first is bowed outward by 3/4" between the bolt holes, the second is bowed outward by 1/2" between the bolt holes and the third is straight as an arrow - no bowing.

At the center the first bumper bows a total of 5 3/4" outward, the second bows 4" and the third bows 3" outward.

How much should an original bumper bow outward at the center?

[deuce lover]

Should not bow out at the center at all.

[DavidG]

With respect, I've had far more than my fair share of '32s and their bumpers over the years and in my experience, the only ones that do not have a slight outward bow between the mounting bolt holes are the reproductions. I do not have a copy of the original engineering drawing to support my view that they weren't straight hole to hole, but hanging on my wall is the next best thing, a NOS '32 bumper and it is bowed like that in the center of the first photo.

[NealinCA]

I have had the same experience. Repros flat between the holes, originals with a slight arc.

[Bored&Stroked]

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On my 32 Cab - its original bumpers most definitely have a slight curve over their entire length - you can surely see it in the middle section as well.

[Lincolnville]

I have written to the Ford museum to see if they have the drawings. If so, I will post what I find.

[BoxCar Tom]

From my limited experience the bumpers are under tension when bolted on and that tension causes a slight bow. Is this correct?

[DavidG]

Tom,


That happens some of the time with reproduction bumpers given the obvious different grade of steel used in those bumpers, it can introduce the slight curve in those bumpers when used with original brackets, which are obviously stronger than the reproduction bumpers. With original bumpers and brackets, no additional bow is introduced in the bumper, at least in my experience.

[Newc]

still bad? news from Drake in Grants Pass. NO more '32 bumpers! Out of production fellows. Rumor news so far. Newc

[DavidG]

Ouch!

[Ian NZ]

I made my own 32 bumpers out of stainless steel using the remains of an old original one for a pattern. I did not like the the reproduction ones .

[DavidG]

Now that's an accomplishment!

[WRA]

Originally Posted by Newc

still bad? news from Drake in Grants Pass. NO more '32 bumpers! Out of production fellows. Rumor news so far. Newc

May be some truth to it. I have heard this several times over the last few months. Both at shows and various swap meets.

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by Ian NZ

I made my own 32 bumpers out of stainless steel using the remains of an old original one for a pattern. I did not like the the reproduction ones .

[Lincolnville]

I wrote the Ford Museum requesting the drawings for the bumper, part B-17757. Only to be advised that, "We do not seem to have ANY Model B or V-8 part drawings OR release info for part numbers between 1754 and 2000. Even if there was no drawing, I would have expected to find releases if the part number was correct."

Both the 1932 Ford Book by David Rehor references the bumper as part B-17757 and the Price Parts List V-8 and 4- Cylinder Cars 1928 - 1932, effective date December 20, 1932 (page 70) also shows the bumper bar as part B-17757.

Any suggestions?

[DavidG]

Please re-read what you wrote as the bumper part number is five digits and the response you quote is for four-digit part numbers.

[Steve/IL]

Lincolnvile,

DavidG is Dave Rehor!!

[Lincolnville]

Steve/IL.

Thanks and understood...

Otherwise:

Just received an update from the museum.

"The engineering release notes for B-17750, Bumper Assembly, indicate "Drawing Size: ND" (ND = No Drawing).

We DO have drawings for B-17757, Bumper Bar, with dates from September 1931 - December 1931. There is also a drawing dated May 23, 1938. (Apparently, the part was kept in production for awhile, for service/replacements.) The 1938 drawing is FAR easier to read than the 1931 drawings."

I will order the drawing.

[DavidG]

B-17750 would have included the bumper end plugs and not just the bare bumper.


I will be interesting to see what the drawing reveals. I hope that there is more than one drawing reflecting the two (at least) suppliers who made the bumpers for Ford, one with the large knuckles on the ends and the other with small knuckles.

[Lincolnville]

I've ordered both 1931 & 1938 drawings. I'll post the result when I get the drawings.


Matt

[DavidG]

Matt,

What the '38 drawing will incorporate are any changes made to the part after 1931 or more likely will be the notation that that the part is obsolete and no longer being supplied for service (or perhaps both). If I had to pick one and only one, it would be the later drawing. Another possibility is that the '38 drawing is only the '31 drawing updated for minor design changes (the part number did not change with a different part number suffix, which is indicative of no fundamental change in the part or its use on any and all '32 passenger car or commercial vehicle chassis).

[Lincolnville]

I've received copies of the drawings. The bumpers are NOT straight, they have a "constant sweep". So far it would appear that the bumper in the middle is most like the drawings. - updated

It would appear that no substantive changes were made during the production of the bumper.

In my initial review the question about large or small knuckles remains unanswered.

[Lincolnville]

The curve between the bolt holes is equal to the thickness of the cross section of the profile or .633 of an inch (give or take a 1/2"). This should not be confused with the thickness of the metal.

The total curve is 3 3/8"- measured by drawing a line from the center of one knuckle to the center of the other knuckle and then measuring the distance of that line behind the trailing edge at the center point of the bumper.

[DavidG]

What is your question regarding the two knuckle sizes?

[rockfla]

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David


Is it your experience over the years that the "repro" bumpers you've seen have a flat washer inside the curl ends in the middle raised feature line???? I have heard others say that is "another" tell tail sign of a repro bumper????

[Lincolnville]

David,

I was referencing your question/statement, "I hope that there is more than one drawing reflecting the two (at least) suppliers who made the bumpers for Ford, one with the large knuckles on the ends and the other with small knuckles."

While the drawings do reflect a place for an "identification mark" they don't reflect two sizes of the knuckles. Perhaps I'm missing something. If you like I'm willing to email you one of the drawings.

Matt

[DavidG]

Matt,


Thanks for your thoughtful offer. Please use the following address: [email protected].



I am not surprised that there survives but a single drawing for the bumper. It is frustrating when you know that more drawing existed earlier or later, but not all have survived. It's especially so for the earliest versions of '32 and '33 parts which differ substantially from those that followed, but whose drawings were either not saved or committed to microfilm.

[Lincolnville]

David's observations of the drawings

The drawings, clearly show where the polishing of the dull nickel ended on knuckles: at the center point on the backside of the knuckles.

It also confirms that dull nickel was used prior to the chrome and that accounts for the finish on the inside of the bumpers (if the dull nickel isn't polished, there's no gloss to the chrome).