Thread: 32 Roadster Identification

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Well that is my first mistake this year. I yield to Mick and Bob. I understand about the "parallelogram" aspect of the four bar link and we do seem to agree that the I-beam can twist a bit (although I find it hard to believe it flexes more than a few thousanths of an inch). Anyway I went through that thought process backwards intending to use split wishbones first from a Model A front end and then considered a '40 Ford front end so I have been thinking I-beam all along. When two Model A frames turned out to have rust problems I bit the bullet for a Brookville frame which arrived with a four bar set up and I purchased a 5" drop I-beam so now I have an I-beam four bar which is OK as far as I can tell. So a four bar set up is OK with either tube or I-beam axels but the tube does need the four bar for less stress. The way I got to this thinking error was in considering split wishbones to save money and in either case ('40 or Model A) the "knuckle" of the wishbone on the axel boss would have provided a twist on a tube axel which the four bar is designed to eliminate or reduce. I note that the original stock Ford front end mounting placed the wishbone center on a "ball joint" to allow side-to-side play and that it is the act of splitting the wishbones that causes the axel twist. Apparently the four bar mount solves this problem and the main cause for alarm is the split wishbone configuration. Sorry about the confusion.

Don Shillady
Retired Scientist/teen rodder

Well guys I found out where my roadster came from, teh kit was purchased from HB Classic Street Rods. The body was built by Heritage in 94, the chassis was built by Williams Street Rods in 95 and the car has sit till I picked it up.

I see I have a lot of work ahead of me, and Dave my 1st. leg in this build will be to remove the body and verify the chassis squareness and go from there.

Thanks again for all you thoughts, wishes and help

Phil

Not too bad a combination. The original Heritage wasn't a bad body tho after a couple of new owners in the past few years, the quality began to suffer(being kind!!). They may be gone now. Williams is still around though I have no knowledge of what they are doing and the quality of their products.

Really doesn't make any difference. You own it and we'll help you spend your hard earned dollars building the car.