Questions on building a Ford A Sedan

[asillymick]

Ok, get ready this will be lengthy. I have a 31 Tudor Sedan body and stack A frame. The body has no wood left in it and the frame is pretty bare, My question is though... Do I need to buy a whole wood kit to get the body to sit straight? Or are there shortcuts or other work arounds that I can do to get this puppy looking right? I have already started the process of aligning the bolt holes in the body with what I think are the correct holes on the frame and adding in some support. Only problem is once I get done with that I don't know where to go to get everything looking right.

I am sure that someone around here has done something like this before, so... if you can give me some pointers on getting it laid out I sure would appreciate it. Also, anyone have a set of decent Sedan doors they want to get rid of?

[asillymick]

Roothawg You have one of theses here sedans, does yours have the wood in it?

[Levis Classic]

YOu can replace the wood with tube steel. Its stonger and cheaper than the kits.

[asillymick]

Without knowing the demensions where do I start on something like that? I just want it look right heading down the road. I hope that someone else has already done the hard work and just hand me some sketches or plans that lead me down the road.

[Roothawg]

No wood. I would do as some of the other guys have stated. Either use steel or make your own. I don't even have the original floor in mine, that's why I have some problems with the doors latching. I have a few tricks I can show you. Holler at me some night and I'll show ya what I know....that should take about a minute and a half. Kevin should have my cell number, if not pm me.

[KCsledz]

Take a look at where the wood looked like it went. Measure and cut your steel then weld it up. You don't need plans just a good eye and some sketches so you remeber what you want to do. Just remeber to get things lined up and leveled out. You don't want to end up with an A that leans to one side too far. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif

[KCsledz]

Look at the metal work in this post. I think that this might be an option seriously considered. Granted its not a tudor but there is some great work going on inside the car.


http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=314462&page=&view=&sb=5&o =&fpart=1&vc=1

[asillymick]

Ok, so this is somthing to add to it then I suppose- If I want to put the body down over the frame then when I make the tubing skeleton, should I make it shorter by like 4 inches or so and let the body then set down on on it instead of attaching to the "A" floor like it is stock?
Root isn't your dragster channeled over the frame?

[side_valve]

Welding in a steel roof insert really helps. Also, you may want to consider building your frame longer and setting the body back - my cdan body is 5.5" back from the orginal location. Gives you lots o' room for your engine.

[asillymick]

What kind of an engine did you go with? I am planning on either a 292 Y or a Flatty both with a old top loader tranny so far it doesn't appear to need anymore space.

[side_valve]

I got a '47 flathead with a '39 trans in it now - it had a sbc. Here's some pics:
http://www.thehotrodcompany.com/xfer/abone.htm

[asillymick]

That's pretty cool. I am hoping that I can build a Y Block so I can use the Lincoln Valve covers that I have. I just think it would be kinda neat. But back to the channel job... Any clues?

[Roothawg]

Actually my floor is mounted to the bottom of the frame. You'd have to see it to understand.....