Thread: 1940 Ford Pickup

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Well here's what I did this week to the 40. I started measuring things and using a level and found out that the back 25 inches of the rails didn't line up height wise. The right side low lower by and inch than the left. Which ones right ? There really was noway to tell for sure. I put the boxing plate that I got from Welder Series in the right side and tacked it in place. Than heated the rail just past the plate and bent the rail up 1/2 inch , did the same on the other and bend it down 1/2 inch. Before I did the bending I traced a pattern off the left rail and compared it to the right and found that only the last 25 inches were out. When it was all cooled off everything measured up good. Sometimes I get lucky and it seems that today was one of them or at least till someone chimes in and tells me that I screwed up. Still have to weld the bushing to the frame for the shackle .




Also finished my cab mounting blocks

Originally Posted by Navy7797

Well here's what I did this week to the 40. I started measuring things and using a level and found out that the back 25 inches of the rails didn't line up height wise. The right side low lower by and inch than the left. Which ones right ? There really was noway to tell for sure. I put the boxing plate that I got from Welder Series in the right side and tacked it in place. Than heated the rail just past the plate and bent the rail up 1/2 inch , did the same on the other and bend it down 1/2 inch. Before I did the bending I traced a pattern off the left rail and compared it to the right and found that only the last 25 inches were out. When it was all cooled off everything measured up good. Sometimes I get lucky and it seems that today was one of them or at least till someone chimes in and tells me that I screwed up. Still have to weld the bushing to the frame for the shackle .

The shackle bushings are looking good, Navy!! Just curious if you measured your frame before or after you took out that last cross brace at the end of the frame...It doesn't appear that you welded any cross bracing on the rails so just wondering if the frame sprung a little when you broke that loose.......I'm just kinda thinking out loud here and you probably know this already, but most crossmember installation kits recommend tacking a crossbar to the rails before removing any crossmembers.
At any rate, sounds like you have it tweaked back into shape.

Quite a piece of work your undertaking, and it looks like it's coming together fine. Keep up the good work and thanks for the pics.

Looking good! Hard to tell from a picture, but in that third shot are you getting good penetration on your weld? Boxing plates look pretty, but they get quite a bit of twist & torsion force. It's especially important if you're grinding the welds for looks.

Originally Posted by randyr

The shackle bushings are looking good, Navy!! Just curious if you measured your frame before or after you took out that last cross brace at the end of the frame...It doesn't appear that you welded any cross bracing on the rails so just wondering if the frame sprung a little when you broke that loose.......I'm just kinda thinking out loud here and you probably know this already, but most crossmember installation kits recommend tacking a crossbar to the rails before removing any crossmembers.
At any rate, sounds like you have it tweaked back into shape.

Took lots of measurements before I removed the crossmembers.

Originally Posted by rspears

Looking good! Hard to tell from a picture, but in that third shot are you getting good penetration on your weld? Boxing plates look pretty, but they get quite a bit of twist & torsion force. It's especially important if you're grinding the welds for looks.

My welds look like crap, I can't seem to see what I'm welding and thus the bad looks. I'm welding hot but maybe I'll just it up another notch. Got to grind all that weld off.

Working on the boxing of the frame and welding off un needed holes today. In this process I had to fit parts to the frame to see what holes are needed and not.
When looking at the inter fender well I wonder what are mounting holes ? The rear holes are elf explanatory its the front ones I seek your in puts.


your thoughts ?

Originally Posted by Navy7797

Working on the boxing of the frame and welding off un needed holes today. In this process I had to fit parts to the frame to see what holes are needed and not.
When looking at the inter fender well I wonder what are mounting holes ? The rear holes are elf explanatory its the front ones I seek your in puts.
your thoughts ?

On my '37, the section of the inner fender in front of the MII is also against the frame rail and I think that brace bolts to the same area as the radiator mounts but the 40 is probably a little different. To test it out, you could mount the other side the same as you have this one and then measure the width of the grille opening to see how close you are.....just a thought...

Going great great Randy can get the frame pics up for you to see . They are the so close to identical .

.

Navy, I was having the same problem seeing my weld until I picked up a better helmet from my welding store. Didn't go expensive, just as Miller Pro-Hobby but the adjustment on sensitivity and darkness was sooooo much better than the Northern Tools bargain helmet.

Yep if you can't see you can't weld. I thought I was going blind and bough a new helmet WOW what a differance

I have a good adjustable Hobart helmet but I think I need to change the not so clear anymore front lens. duh.
thanks for the inputs guys

You've got a piece of strap you ask, "is this the right mount". The answer is, not exactly. In stock configuration there's a wishbone like yoke that ties both inner aprons together and then bolts at the center front of the original front cross member for supporting the fenders and allowing some body flex different from frame flex. Depending on where your engine ends up you might not be able to use that, many times that happens. In that case substitute brackets mounted similarly to your strap would do. You'll need something with more substance and a couple folds for strength. Go to Bob Drake's online catalog and look up HR-16138 to see the bracket he offers. If you don't want to spring for his you can at least see how to fab similar. Those two holes down low in front might be added by a previous owner for who knows what. They aren't on my '41, and I don't see them in other inner panels I've seen in pictures. BTW that other hole above and to the right of the strap mounting hole is for the upper radiator brackets. If you've got a stock radiator you will see some keyhole shaped holes in the side braces of the rad that the rad bracket bolts drop into. These are simple, flat straps but with a twist/step in them. Again, those can be found in Drakes catalog.

Just reading this post for the first time. Nice work and good questions. I'm learning as I read! Nice truck too. Will look cool when done. Did Tech get back to you on the engine? Keep posting, Steve.

Thanks for your knowledge Bob ! Very helpful.
I have a wish bone looking thing that came with the truck, I bet that's the bone your referring too. Thanks again.