Thread: newbie 23 builder

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i just bought from a salvage company a rusted up 23t frame front and rear end bad motor with headers== anyway the front i beam axle is bent -- is it possible to be straightened -- if it is cast i think not but -anybody got an ideas

Originally Posted by janj

i just bought from a salvage company a rusted up 23t frame front and rear end bad motor with headers== anyway the front i beam axle is bent -- is it possible to be straightened -- if it is cast i think not but -anybody got an ideas

If it's an original Ford axle or forged reproduction, and isn't bent too severely, it can tolerate quite a bit of straightening. If it's a cast aftermarket axle, I wouldn't even try.

Bob

I agree, although it is possible to straighten, is it worth your life at worst if it fails and at best poor handling and tire wear. Any pics of what you have? Let me know if you need any more advice (good or bad)

23 day one.jpg

23 day one 3.jpg
here front end -left front bent back a bit - i do think it is original i-beam - i guess a good welding shop could fix it

Yes, it appears to be an original Ford axle. Looks like a '35 up "spring in front" style. I know you didn't build it that way, but you're going to have to change it to get any suspension travel without the axle hitting the frame. Honestly, by the time you find someone qualified to straighten it and get the camber correct, you could have probably bought a repop dropped axle.

Bob

I agree with Bob, Get an aftermarket axel and be done with it (and safe) good luck! Don Jr

Looking at the rear spring and some of the stains in the other pictures...it looks like it was in a fire.

Does it look that way to you?

You probably aren't going to like this, but I have to give you my honest opinion. I don't think there is a whole lot there that is usable. The frame seems fair, but I wonder about those reinforcements right before the rear kickup. The only front end part that seems somewhat savable is the spring, and maybe the wishbones, but I can only see the front part of them. The brakes would seem to be a good deal, but by the time you buy new rotors, calipers, etc, you will be in as deep as buying a new setup.

The rear end is the worst part IMO. Do not under any circumstances use those radius rods. They are Ford rear radius rods and were never designed to act as the sole locators. They were made to work with a torque tube, and many have failed when used as shown here. The "builder" attempted to gusset them, but did a really bad job.............not that a good job would have made any difference.

Don't take any of this wrong, I have been down the same road you are going down more than a few times...........bought something I thought was a great deal, only to find it was going to cost more to make usable than if I started off with new parts. I agree that this thing looks like it was in a fire, but even if not you will spend more getting it close to right that you could be way ahead buying a setup from someone like Speedway or similar.

The frame and chassis are probably the most important elements in building a good hot rod, and your life and everyone elses life depends on it being sound and safe. Even if you sandblast the frame and scrap everything else, you will never be able to trust what you have there. PLEASE start with something better, you will understand why when you get further into this project.

Don