What if any differences are there between 4 cyl and V/8 '32 Ford Chassis? Rear transmission crossmember the same? Will be installing a 59ab or possibly an 8ba, basically stock. Any real issue using stock '32 rear end? My '29 AV8 avatar has a 59ab, '39 trans and a stock Model A rear end and has been running that way since 1958. Best to do front motor mounts the same way as an AV8 (Tardel style)? '35 Ford 16" wire wheels, Sedan, probably fenderless at least for awhile. Early hotrod stuff. Thanks in advance, Dave
Does the 59AB still have the holes drilled and tapped in the block to use the stock '32 motor mounts, must admit that I don't know? The internals of the '32 rear end are the same as the Model A, except for a few late ones that used the '33-'34 internals. Look for the scollop where the torque tube joins the rear end for late. The 4 and the V8 chassis were the same, some holes were not used based on which engine was selected. Then of course the prefix of the serial number was different. Charlie Stephens
Frames are the same. It’s ok to use the bolt on front mounts, but I used the mounts on my 40 water pumps and fabbed some bolt on mounts for the sides. Ok to use the stock rear axle.
What did you hear they were? No reinforcement where the frame goes over the rear axle, a bolt in reinforcement and a riveted in reinforcement? Why do you think yours is an early one, can you read the serial number and post it? Charlie Stephens
Well I can't readily read the serial number but there should be no reinforcement over the rear axle, especially evidenced by the "farmer fix" repairs.
There were variations on the K members on the very early frames .In David's book it shows pics of not having the angled braces. A good friend here in France has a chassis that has no reveal on the frame rails.Might be a Euro thing but have only seen this one of many 32's I have seen here.Here is a pic of it.That angled bracket bolted to the side is a farmers add on.
I always thought that some (very few ) early ones had no reveal. Hard to imagine that an early one made it to France in 1932. ( but not impossible). Were the frames made in France or shipped over there ?
I don't profess to really know anything about them "late model" chassis, but I have been told the '32 4 cylinder and V8 torque tubes (and driveshafts) are different lengths, ( about 4 inches different) so it's possible that the cross member is different?
There’s more than three different versions of the frames, but most differences are small. And most of the early stuff is very rare. The torque tubes and driveshafts are the same length for 4’s and 8’s.
Were the frames made in France or shipped over there ? I am to the understanding they were shipped in(to France) .Ford only had assembly plants here.I have seen a bare '32 frame with the Made in Germany stamped in it.I should have taken a pic.There is a pic in David's book.
Mine has "Made in Germany" stamped inside the rear frame. It was appeared with the sandblasted job. It also have the standard stamped side curve.
Serial number starts with a B so I assume that was 4cyl? Rear axle is 3.78 ratio at least by the 9 34 on speedo turtle. Front crossmember is gone but has a Model A member loosely bolted in place. here are some pics. Can anyone tell by the pics of the grimey crusty banjo if it is the early '32 or late '32-'34 diff? Is this a '32 "heavy axle"? Dave
More pics. Really nice trans crossmember. One bend in passenger side frame rail where the reveal ends, no big problem there. Nothing has been cut off. Dave
According to Fordgarage.com B engine number chart it is a November 1932 build date. Number starts with (star)B5I6****(star). Dave
The serial number starting with B means the vehicle started life as a 4 cylinder. The rear end is early and used mostly Model A internals. This can be told by the interface between the torque tube and the center section being round, the late rear end had scollops. The late rear was introduced late in the production and only a few were made. It looks like the heavy axle. Charlie Stephens
What if any issues does the Model A front crossmember cause with fitting the '32 radiator and grill shell? The A member eliminates the question of '32 front engine mounts but I had already decided to use side mounts to later water pumps anyway. Think I will run my still to be assembled .030 over 4" stroke 8ba engine with pickup pumps. All new, but I never assembled it. Pickup or Merc bell housing, '39 trans. Dave
Thanks Charlie. He thinks the axles where from other parts gathering and not original to the car. Body and frame came together as one unit. Dave
When did the chassis get the second and third serial numbers stamped in them? Standard one is up front under the cowl. Bob
That number is on the left front frame rail under cowl area. Are there additional numbers elsewhere? Dave
Yes, the front axle is a regular 32. All 32's were like that. No such thing as a light 32 front axle. The 30-31 A front crossmember will work well for radiator and hood fit. If you had a 28-29 you would have problems. The serial numbers were stamped on the left rail topside, at the firewall, the B pillar, and just in front of the rear axle.
Not to de-rail the thread, but what is the difference between a 28-29 and 30-31 front crossmember? Thanks, Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
'28-'29 crossmember has a taller pad where the radiator mounts. '30-'31 is visibly recessed because of the taller radiators and shell. One could use a '30-'31 on a '28-'29 by adding a proper thickness shim/spacer, but not the other way around. Dave
Crossmember in my '32 frame is a '30-1. Black crossmember is late '28-9. Maybe not the best pictures but I think you can see the height difference. Early '28 AR the engine bolted directly to the crossmember instead of having a front engine mount. '28-9 rad mount pad is flush with top of frame rail. '30-1 is below top of rail. Dave
That's what I thought on front axle, was no light and heavy, Just must be heavier than Model A and maybe '33? On serial location, did you mean left rail topside AT the firewall? As I look at it again it looks like it is in front on where the firewall would mount. B pillar is on body? Haven't checked there yet. Haven't found one in front of the rear axle yet. On top of frame there or on the side? Thanks, Dave
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