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Hi,
My name is Debbie and I just found this site. Haven't had a chance to look around much but from what I've seen so far it looks like I'm going to learn alot here! I bought a 47 Ford Coupe a couple years ago and have been trying to put it back together. I'm starting to feel like maybe I bought somebody else's mistake. I have experience working on cars but not this old or to this extent. The car was (is) literally in pieces when I bought it.
The front part of the frame is GM, has a small block chevy with a turbo 350. I had the rest of the original frame boxed and a new tube crossmember for the trans. Right now I'm trying to get the body on right. It wasn't on when I bought the car. For the most part the body is pretty solid but the floor has a lot of rust and pieces cut out (by the previous owner). There's new rocker boxes welded in but it looks to me like they're in wrong. That's the frustrating part....because I'm not sure! I've been trying to research this but can't find any photos or diagrams showing the correct install.
Anyway, I'm glad I found this site and I hope you will be patient with me when I ask "stupid" questions .

Hi Debbie,
Welcome aboard. I can't help you with the 47 but I'm sure many here will be chiming in. If not do a search for 46,47,48 ford and you might find what you need. Good luck.

Jack.

hi debbie and welcome. always glad to have more women here. i also can not help you with your car but there are alot of people here that can.

Welcome aboard Debbie, looks like you'll have the opportunity to learn lessons the way a lot of us have. And Jack is being modest, he has honed his machinist skills so might be able to support you in some way.

My suggestion to you would be to start with basics. If the frame (foundation of the car) is out of whack, nothing you do beyond that will be worth a poop. A tape measure, good eye, and a helpful friend will go a long way toward getting you on a good start. Set the frame up level on a good surface, use a combination of jack stands and shims/blocks, or whatever you have available to make a stable support structure. Work off the original factory portion of the frame first before evaluating the substitute front portion. Most holes on the top of the frame, and often on the sides and bottom are symetrical, in other words they should be in the same location relative to the rails on both left and right, and front to back. Make diagonal measurements, say from a hole on the left front to the right rear, and vice versa. The dimensions should be identical, or very close (I like to keep it to a 1/16"). If they're not the frame is out of square or bent in some other way. You need to track back on that and figure out what's out of whack. Once you've got the original part of the frame level and checked for square then you can verify if the front frame clip was done correctly. Sadly, they often aren't, and that's why so many of them pass from owner to owner unfinished. Once you know the frame is correct, if it is, then you can drop the body on and start doing the same measuring, not only the mounting points, but also the openings. Here the measurement results won't likely be as tight as those on the frame, though they still need to be close. Do diagonal measures from like points on door and trunk openings, and from rocker panel to drip rail/door opening tops/A pillar, B pillar. If you're suspicious of the rockers, work around them at first, that will help to confirm or deny your suspicions. Try to go to shows in your area and locate others with similar cars so you can look at how theirs are installed (obviously the more original the car the better).

That's probably enough to chew on for now. Once you get into it there are lots of folks here that can give additional help.

Welcome aboard. I was going to say pretty much what Bob said about the frame. Any time I see a frame that has had a subframe clip welded on I get a little nervous. There are some terrible clip jobs out there, not everyone should be doing them. If your frame is not correct in all respects it will make the rest of it meaningless.

You might even want to spend a few bucks up front and have an alignment shop check it out to see how it looks, or maybe a knowledgeable rodder in your area.

Don

Hi! Sounds like quite a project! I'm new too and just starting to learn on my Dad's '52 Henry J he left to me when he passed last year, but this has been a great place to come with questions!

Angela

Hi Debbie,
Welcome! You're in the right place, lots of knowledgeable guys and gals on here. Why dont you post a few pictures so we can see what you're dealing with?

Just a test.
Tried to post a reply the other day but it said it had to be "approved". ??

Welcome Debbie!

How come every time I try to post, it says it has to be approved? There's gonna be 2 similiar posts now.

Hi Debbie, welcome.

Let me suggest an alternate way to check frame square instead of laying on your back and trying to hold a tape measure.

Jack the car up, place your jackstands with the frame level to the floor. Use a plumb-bob on a string to drop from the frame to the floor and mark the floor. Measuring between dots you mark on the floor will be easier.

I'm sure Mr. Parmenter knows this, but I suspect that his advanced years have taken a toll on his ability to remember things like this and pass them on to others.

Welcome to CHR. I'm new here also but have been building hot rods for 35 years, still learning I might add, For me alot of this stuff I know but just forgot, As for your project, I would check and double check it for square. If it ain't square it wont work, just like the others have said. It sounds like you've gotten a start but keep in mind that alot of front frame grafts were not done so good and you want to make sure you have a good SAFE foundation, you have a pretty heavy car there so be sure. Sometimes you can get a good swap meet frame for the price of trying to fix one that's been done poorly. I had a 47 Super Deluxe Coupe and it rode pretty good with the stock chassis and axles. I added a dropped front axle and panhard bar and tube shocks and disc brakes, it made a big difference. Good luck and keep us posted, this is a great site to learn from!!

Debbie, Don't get discouraged. To build a car from that state is not done in weeks or months. It usually takes years, and the persistance of a real hard-core enthusiast. The alternative is to write checks to experienced builders, but that gets expensive fast!

If you haven't checked the local area yet, you might try to join a large local streetrod club, or befriend someone who would take the time to help you through the basic construction. Rodders can often be friendly and helpful folks. I know you will at least find plenty of advise here. Welcome.