Thread: Help with '31 Chevy Coach Frame set-up

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I am looking for information on set-up for a '31 Chevy Coach frame. The plan is to use much of the origional frame material, and re-box it with steel. I am visiting my Father-in-Law, and he is having alignment problems with the doors and tin.

It sounds like the origional frame was not in tack so he is trying to piece it together with a frame from a second car.

Can anyone recommend a place to find dimentional drawings, or recommend a system of alignment?

Thanks,
Kurt

I personally can't help you, Kurt, but I have a friend who possibly can.

The guy frame-off restored a '31 Chevy coupe (with rumble seat) and it is excellent. The car has won a hat full of awards and trophies. He also has another '31. I don't know whether work on the second car has been started or not.

I'm sure he would have the answers you are looking for. He is definitely a been-there-done-that guy and '31 Chevys are his thing.

If you want to contact him (he's in Tennessee) shoot me a private message and I'll get back to you with his information.

Be advised, though, that he is as old and cranky as I am!


Jim

Originally Posted by Big Tracks

I personally can't help you, Kurt, but I have a friend who possibly can.

Be advised, though, that he is as old and cranky as I am!

Jim

Oh man, I always thought you had both awards hands down!!!!!

BIggest problem with these early Chevys it that the bodies are largely framed with wood, and as that rots or ages things start getting loose. Essentially, the body is just a skin tacked onto a wooden framework.

There are two options. First is to buy a new body wood kit and reframe the entire body to get back door alignment, etc. Second option is to use steel tubing and weld in an entirely new framework. The wood kits are expensive, and the steel tubing route is a lot of fabrication work. The people who play with these Chevys are generally in for a lot of work either way.

Don

search for old chevy car manuals. the web site has the fisher body manual for the 31. hope this helps i learned alot about the the 32,34&36 form this site. jonathan

If your doors are straight and good, that pretty much sets the dimensions for the rest of the car.
Ken

Originally Posted by Dave Severson

Oh man, I always thought you had both awards hands down!!!!!

Why. Thank you David.

Your confidence in me (and your obvious respect) are touching!:

James

Kurt, I got your PM and can now open your post too. Not knowing what condition the build is at, I can only give you width dems. My car is fully assembled and is modified. However the fram is still stock. Not boxed ,as it was in like new condition and the Chevy frame is stouter then the Fords.
Scinse you only have a week ,I would suggest also posting on Hotrodders.com and the HAMB to get maximum response.
I have found a lot of 31 Chevy owners on all three sites and all very helpful.
I will measure the frame widths for you tomorrow and post asap.
Where is the 1" gap on the doors. The body may be twisted or folowing the frame twist. It could be just shimming the body will help.
Also the sill s must be in good shape and probably are not. Have they been checked?
I cut out the bad sections on mine and replaced with oak. Its very hard to work with and harder then factory. You could get away witj a softer wood. Maybe ash or even poplar.
If you need any supplier info I have a good list of web sites available. Bob