Ok so I’ve collected enough trad parts to start this thing but already have some questions. I bought an original 1932 frame that had a model a coupe on it and (lucky for me) the PO decided to make a street rod out of it with a new TCI chassis. I never saw the frame with body on. I’ve been taking some measurements on the frame and they are puzzling. When I got the frame I measured the horns at 22 3/8” so with the stock being 23 3/4” I figured it was pinched but as I put a mock-up cowl on to make sure, the body lines didn’t line up at all. I’m not even sure where the cowl should sit exactly because there’s no mounting holes in close proximity on the frame and it appears to be even wider than stock where the two dimpled holes are any thoughts? It’s already had a 40’s era x member welded in and the spring mount front member is welded/nuked in all the way around so modifying may be tough. Anybody out there have precise measurements on where the cowl should sit? And if this frame is salvageable?
like the 32 frame drawing,there is also a 28 to 31 frame drawing,and compairing sizes,helps ya know were to make a changa if needed '
You have to do a fair amount of 'tweeking', go to 'wescotts' and download the 28-9 Model A frame dwg to compare with the '32 and you'll get a better idea.
I would not use there print as it's not accurate google 28-29 Ford frame. Wescots body mount holes are ok. The rest is questionable.
I do have model A drawings but was told the 32 frame was approx 3” longer than the A in front of the cowl?
I need the measurement from end of frame horns to where the front of the model a cowl sits since I have no reference
I would set the diff in the right place , rear quarter on with the wheel arch reveal in exactly the right location ( eyeball engineering side elevation ) with the tyre , lay your subframe down on the chassis and that will locate your exact cowl position , then you will know if your chassis has been pinched in or not cheers Steve in Oz
Model A is 10.5" to center of front axle From axle to front cowel mount is 34 1/4" on one drawing And 31 1/8" wescott drawing.
Piggybacking on OJ's point: 1. Try using the whole body when mocking up locations, not just the cowl. 2. Put the body where the rear wheel well aligns with the rear axle. 3. As a result, wherever the cowl falls, that's where it belongs.
I am at the same point in my build except I am using a chassis I built to stock specs based on Duce Daddy Don’s excellent set of blue prints. The 32 chassis is wider at the cowl area than a Model A chassis. But due to the way it curves in, it is a little narrower at the front crossmember. You have to narrow a stock model a crossmember to fit even a stock 32 chassis. A lot of people do narrow, or pinch, the chassis at the cowl to better fit the Model A body. I didn’t since I like the looks and it better fits my style of build. As to where to fit the body on the chassis, as others have mentioned, I am centering the rear wheel well over the rear axle centerline. Hope that helps. —louis
Ok, this makes sense. I’ll throw the roadster body with complete subframe on there. I just didn’t want to cut the rear subframe for the wheel arches but guess I might as well commit to the 32 frame.
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