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Model A Ford Coupe Roof Filler insert ?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by shane85, Nov 23, 2012.

  1. shane85
    Joined: Nov 30, 2005
    Posts: 256

    shane85
    Member

    has anyone used the howell's model a roof filler insert? if so how did it fit? Walden speed shop also makes one but its 525.00$
     
  2. Flatheadguy
    Joined: Dec 2, 2008
    Posts: 2,037

    Flatheadguy
    Member

    Take a walk through your local salvage yard. A literal ton of possibiliities await. A bit of cutting, oversized of course, will provide you with what you seek for a whole lot less. Various vans and station wagons are prime candidates for donor roofs.
     
    Just Gary likes this.
  3. charlieb66
    Joined: Apr 18, 2011
    Posts: 549

    charlieb66
    Member

    Volvo 242 works nicely. Weld carefully, skip around to avoid heat buildup.
     
  4. kokomochandler
    Joined: Dec 27, 2010
    Posts: 37

    kokomochandler
    BANNED

    a hood off a f250 superduty so you get a cool ridge down the center
     

  5. hawkerdriver
    Joined: Feb 26, 2006
    Posts: 381

    hawkerdriver
    Member

    I've heard 70- 72 camaro works well too.
     
  6. olcurmdgeon
    Joined: Dec 15, 2007
    Posts: 2,289

    olcurmdgeon
    Member

    I agree with Flatheadguy, when I built my Model A I was wandering through the now gone Kittery, ME junkyard and happened on a '62 Chevy hood, or rather the top of the hood cut from the frame. The two "gunsight ribs" on it looked neat so we filled the top of my coupe with it, cost me $5 to get the panel. Once on the car, it looked great and when people asked why the two ribs, I just said "high speed stability".
     
  7. boutlaw
    Joined: Apr 30, 2010
    Posts: 1,239

    boutlaw
    Member

    I used a 72 Maverick roof picked at U-pullet for like $20.00. Turned around backwards and trimmed to fit. Fits like it was made for for a 31 coupe.

    BOutlaw
     
    Just Gary likes this.
  8. Bingo your best bet or 64 falcon done the same way.
     
  9. scrap metal 48
    Joined: Sep 6, 2009
    Posts: 6,079

    scrap metal 48
    Member

    I know it's not metal but here's one I did for about $35 on my old coupe...
     

    Attached Files:

  10. shane85
    Joined: Nov 30, 2005
    Posts: 256

    shane85
    Member

    any more info?

     
  11. scrap metal 48
    Joined: Sep 6, 2009
    Posts: 6,079

    scrap metal 48
    Member

    $20 yd of pleated vinyl stapled to 1/2" plywood with countersunk bolts under vinyl and bolted to another 1/2" piece of plywood bolted to the ridge in the original opening.. Sealed the first piece of plywood with black caulking/sealant and PRESTO, cheap top insert....
     
  12. Even a flat panel will curve some if you cut the sides and inside bracing away, so you can use almost anything to fill that hole. It's just a matter of whether you want plain, ridges, or one that's "ribbed for her pleasure" ...
     
  13. Lucky Burton
    Joined: Dec 31, 2004
    Posts: 1,681

    Lucky Burton
    Member

    if you cant find a donor roof do yourself a favor and spend the money on Waldens filler. I've seen a Howells filler and it looked like a taco.
     
  14. ish30ford
    Joined: Nov 22, 2012
    Posts: 3

    ish30ford
    Member
    from ca.

    I did my from a 63 chevy station wagon,the ribs area.Good luck.
     
  15. I bought the roof insert from Howells sheetmetal in texas. The problem with it is that its rolled in only one direction and needs to be rolled in two directions. I cut the roof off of a late model ford extended cab pickup and it laid down perfect.
     
  16. fiftyv8
    Joined: Mar 11, 2007
    Posts: 5,394

    fiftyv8
    Member
    from CO & WA

    I got a roof of this model Mustang, cost about $200 including the cutting off by the junkyard guy.

    I got it home and used a plasma to cut out the center sheetmetal and it fits a treat, just like the guys on here said it would...

    Sure beats paying store prices and if found locally no shipping and potential damage can be incurred.


    [​IMG]
     
  17. fiftyv8
    Joined: Mar 11, 2007
    Posts: 5,394

    fiftyv8
    Member
    from CO & WA

  18. Jim Bouchard
    Joined: Mar 2, 2011
    Posts: 1,023

    Jim Bouchard
    Member

    First one I did I used a '67 Mustang roof turned around. Fit like Ford used the model a roof shape to make the mustang roof! Truly amazing how it fit!

    For the second one, a few years later, I could not find a scrap Mustang anywhere.

    I used the Waldens and was amazed at how it fit my top like it was made for only my car! Waldens top fit with very little triming and the steel was eaiser to weld. A real high quality piece!

    I guess buy the time you add up all your chaising around time, cuttin it out of time gettin it home time, striping it time and possible some excess metal trimming just to get it down to test fit size. I feel a guy would be money ahead with the Walden piece shipped to your door. Plus the nice metal he uses makes it an easy choice!
     
  19. Nocero
    Joined: May 16, 2002
    Posts: 489

    Nocero
    Member

    I used the Howells insert and hated it so bad I cut it back out. Take a look at my build thread it is just too flat. I would recommend going to the junkyard and finding a donor with a profile you like.
     
  20. 296 V8
    Joined: Sep 17, 2003
    Posts: 4,666

    296 V8
    BANNED
    from Nor~Cal

    A hot rodder walks the wrecking yard and finds one ....... A 1 800 guy looks in SRM and or clicks his mouse
     
  21. Kirk Hanning
    Joined: Feb 27, 2005
    Posts: 1,605

    Kirk Hanning
    Member

    Go buy yourself a cheap English wheel and a sheet of 16ga aluminum for a removable insert or 18ga steel for a weld in. I rolled one for a sedan with -0- experience using one. if I can anyone can. it's not black magic!
     
  22. chiro
    Joined: Jun 23, 2008
    Posts: 1,181

    chiro
    Member

    Okay, so some great ideas on coupe fillers. What about Tudor fillers? I'm doing a Tudor and need some ideas. Sorry to hijack the thread but it seems his questioned was pretty well answered

    Andy


    Posted from the TJJ App for iPhone & iPad
     
  23. Spend the money on a Walden. You will save in the long run and it will be right.
     
  24. Crackett
    Joined: Nov 21, 2009
    Posts: 36

    Crackett
    Member

    I know of a Tudor with a 58 Chevy roof skin


    Wanted: 28-29 Model a Roadster Quarter Panels
     
  25. Rich Wright
    Joined: Jan 9, 2008
    Posts: 3,922

    Rich Wright

    I used a Walden insert on a coupe I did last summer. Absolutely top quality piece. I did a build thread that shows how I installed it after a new wood kit was installed in the body.
    Here's a link.
    http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=738350

    I didn't choose the insert, by the why...the owner of the coupe did. I'm big on making stuff myself and I agree completely with those that suggest finding a crowned piece from a roof or hood and making it work yourself...
     
  26. barobert
    Joined: Apr 14, 2010
    Posts: 104

    barobert
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    For my 1931 Vicky I took the roof from a Ford Aerostar
     
  27. oneowner
    Joined: Mar 21, 2010
    Posts: 29

    oneowner
    Member

    I used a '91 ford taurus on a '31 coupe...fit perfect.

    A '96 lincoln town car works amasingly well on a '31 Vicky!

    The town car works well on a 2D Sedan but you have to mess around with the front a little
     
  28. banginona40
    Joined: Mar 5, 2007
    Posts: 773

    banginona40
    Member

    Ditto on that!!
     
  29. dsiddons
    Joined: Mar 6, 2006
    Posts: 1,541

    dsiddons
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Indiana

    Late 70's Mustang roof fits perfect. About any small car from the late 70's to early 80's will work fine. Make a nice pattern and then go shopping. Them inserts that you buy never fit. If you want ribs, look fit a 80's wagon.


    Posted from the TJJ App for iPhone & iPad
     
    Just Gary likes this.
  30. kool32
    Joined: Nov 9, 2006
    Posts: 330

    kool32
    Member
    from Kentucky

    53 Mercury roof reversed worked on mine, look at 50's cars........
     

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