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1947 Ford COE build

Discussion in 'The Antiquated' started by jackalope, Nov 8, 2018.

  1. jackalope
    Joined: Mar 11, 2011
    Posts: 687

    jackalope
    Member

    So, I recently finished a 1930 Ford Model A coupe and had every intention of building a 1930 Roadster, but something else nudged that project out of the way. The encroachment of a 1947 Ford COE happened upon me and now takes precedent over other personal projects.
    It’s in remarkably good shape give it’s age and life as a work truck.
    First step was to pull off the fenders and straighten them up. That required a lot of hammer and dolly work coupled with welding up several years in the metal.

    Once those were relatively smooth, they each went into planishing hammer for further smoothing. They then were set aside.

    Next was the lower door patches. Started with a paper template slightly oversized so that I could throw it in the brake and bend it to wrap around door frame. Once I had the General shape they went into a shrinker stretcher to get the correct contour and bend of the original door.

    Cut the old out and as to be expected the internal structure was gone so I had to make that first. So, I made that and then put the new panel in place. Did this for both sides. Just tacked the panels in place. At this time I also realized that the original door gaps from factory were an afterthought at best. Body stampings at the door seam are curved and not even side to side. I will correct that later.

    The latest progress is the lower perimeter bead. I am a bit stumped over this but reached out to Matt at Iron Trap Garage for ideas. Simple answer is there are no easy ways to make this piece.

    I machined a die to use in a hydraulic press to form the bead profile which works but over such a long span it deviates from straight. So, it looks like I will machine some dies for the bead roller to start the profile and the. Run it through the die press and then again through the bead roller.

    For the corners it looks like I will machine a big thick piece of plate with the bead profile and bend it like the corners. I’ll use this plate as a buck to form.

    Fingers crossed. [​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG]


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    Fyresq, livertucky, Okie Pete and 2 others like this.
  2. jackalope
    Joined: Mar 11, 2011
    Posts: 687

    jackalope
    Member

  3. ckdesigns
    Joined: Jan 21, 2004
    Posts: 637

    ckdesigns
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Ogden,Utah

    Nice work so far!


    Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
     

  4. jackalope
    Joined: Mar 11, 2011
    Posts: 687

    jackalope
    Member

    I had a little time this evening and got up to the shop. I made a set of dies for the bead roller. By making a bead first, it allows the piece to seat easier and straighter in the die. Getting there. [​IMG][​IMG][​IMG]


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  5. E46
    Joined: Feb 3, 2012
    Posts: 8

    E46
    Member

    I love COEs and will watch this build. It's clear that you have the skills to pull this off.
     
  6. kscarguy
    Joined: Aug 22, 2007
    Posts: 1,610

    kscarguy
    Member

    Looking good so far. Before you scrap the stock bumper, let me know. If the price is right, I'd be interested in buying it from you.
     
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  7. jackalope
    Joined: Mar 11, 2011
    Posts: 687

    jackalope
    Member

    Only had a few hours to mess with it today so I went after the grill. [​IMG]



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  8. jackalope
    Joined: Mar 11, 2011
    Posts: 687

    jackalope
    Member

    I’m not able to attach any more pics?? Well this sucks.


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  9. jackalope
    Joined: Mar 11, 2011
    Posts: 687

    jackalope
    Member

    Only way I can add images is through Web. H.A.M.B. app isn’t allowing me to
     

    Attached Files:

  10. jackalope
    Joined: Mar 11, 2011
    Posts: 687

    jackalope
    Member

    Had a couple hours. First bead rolled the lower piece to the correct profile. Then tacked it in place. Then it was on the the center spine. I had to remake it because something was a hair off.
    Gettin’ there.
     

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  11. modelkitbasher
    Joined: Jan 29, 2006
    Posts: 469

    modelkitbasher
    Member

    Damn nice work.

    willysman
     
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  12. jackalope
    Joined: Mar 11, 2011
    Posts: 687

    jackalope
    Member

    Had about 3 hrs to play this evening. Welded up the grill, hammered some high spots and low spots and set it in place. Then got started on lower bead along entire lower cab.
     

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    Ace61, warhorseracing and Okie Pete like this.
  13. jackalope
    Joined: Mar 11, 2011
    Posts: 687

    jackalope
    Member

    I got a few more hours in at the shop. Hoping to have all the body sheet metal repaired and/or replaced by next weekend.
     

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  14. Bitching project.. Love them coes
     
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  15. jackalope
    Joined: Mar 11, 2011
    Posts: 687

    jackalope
    Member

    A little more time to peck away at it. Straightening the step on driver side. Also got the remaining lower bead all the around to driver side as well. The nice thing about these big trucks is they were built with thick metal and higher quality metal it seems. Yes there is some rust in spots but the good metal is a mother to cut through compared to the newer steel these days.
     

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  16. jackalope
    Joined: Mar 11, 2011
    Posts: 687

    jackalope
    Member

    Lower bead is complete. Gas filler hole closed and started lower door jambs. Have work tomorrow but should. E back at it and finished with body sheet metal by Friday.
     

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    warhorseracing likes this.
  17. livertucky
    Joined: Jul 25, 2013
    Posts: 41

    livertucky
    Member

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  18. jackalope
    Joined: Mar 11, 2011
    Posts: 687

    jackalope
    Member

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  19. jackalope
    Joined: Mar 11, 2011
    Posts: 687

    jackalope
    Member

    Hard to stay on this while I build a mobile coffee truck for a friend. Made some cold/fresh air mesh screens to replace the old rusted ones. [​IMG]


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  20. The37Kid
    Joined: Apr 30, 2004
    Posts: 30,629

    The37Kid
    Member

    Nice project, good to see you have the tools & skills to get this moving along. First time I've noticed the later cabs kept the three ribbed belt mounding like the 38-39 pickups. Bob
     
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  21. jackalope
    Joined: Mar 11, 2011
    Posts: 687

    jackalope
    Member

    Yep, the cabs are all the same from 38-47 for COEs. Only variance is in the grill shell for 38/39. Those had the oval insert but all interchange between years.
    They also look good with the matching baby brother regular pick up with the same belt line as you eluded to.


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  22. 1940Willys
    Joined: Feb 3, 2011
    Posts: 799

    1940Willys
    Member

    Nice work I'm enjoying this. Ok, Carry on
     
  23. jackalope
    Joined: Mar 11, 2011
    Posts: 687

    jackalope
    Member

    I had the 47 media blasted which did show a few minor pinholes in random locations. Likely due to the inconsistency in the metal 70years ago. Rather than cut out I leaded the small spots. Also had some time to repair the irreparable steps that had rusted through the bead area. Finally, last night I made a few mi or repairs to the driver side fender and gave it a mock up. Gap needs work lower front but should be straight forward. Then on to the other side.
     

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  24. jackalope
    Joined: Mar 11, 2011
    Posts: 687

    jackalope
    Member

    Found some more rot that needed to be removed. Also a pic as I left the shop. Other fender mocked up.
     

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    R A Wrench and Crusty Chevy like this.
  25. jackalope
    Joined: Mar 11, 2011
    Posts: 687

    jackalope
    Member

    Fixed the rot. Found a couple other spots I will tackle next time.
     

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    Peanut 1959 likes this.
  26. redzula
    Joined: Jul 6, 2011
    Posts: 1,225

    redzula
    Member

    Nice build so far..... Maybe I missed it but what is your plan for the finished truck? Flatbed car hauler, truck bed, camper box. What are you wanting to end up with?

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    jackalope likes this.
  27. Seeing this brings back loads of memories, stripping down and rebuilding my 41 COE
    Looking really good best of luck with it, and have fun.


     
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  28. jackalope
    Joined: Mar 11, 2011
    Posts: 687

    jackalope
    Member

    I actually haven’t had a chance to mess with this since my last post with the door.
    The plan is to use a toronado front end with a transaxle. This will eliminate the need for a rear drive shaft. I have bogies from a 12k lb motorhome and they will serve as rear “axles”. I will have a bed “look” but the inside deck will tilt like a flat bed. I want my cake and eat it too. Not gonna be easy but I have the idea based on Denny’s Hot Rods but with some additional tweaks.


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    Shadow Creek likes this.
  29. KCTA Chris
    Joined: Jan 16, 2002
    Posts: 436

    KCTA Chris
    Member

    Happy to see another COE project! Looks good.
    I've been killing myself on the other side of the state for a 2 speed rear axle and a few original (lock ring, not 2 piece split rim) wheels for my flatty powered '39 COE project. Do you scrap the chassis?
     

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