Twisted Touring Woes

Topics Last Day Last Week Tree View    Getting Started Formatting Troubleshooting Program Credits    New Messages Keyword Search Contact Moderators Edit Profile Administration
Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2012: Twisted Touring Woes
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Joe Amara on Saturday, August 04, 2012 - 11:45 am:

I would appreciate any recommendations on removing a longitudinal twist from my '17 Touring body as it sits on the frame. The back of the body appears to be level, but the front is a few degrees high just aft of the firewall on the passenger side. I've had this car for over 30 years and have driven it with no adverse effects, except the twist is starting to drive me crazy. Why now? Thanks.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Dewey, N. California on Saturday, August 04, 2012 - 11:49 am:

Maybe it was owned by Chubby Checkers?
:-)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jay - In Northern California on Saturday, August 04, 2012 - 12:02 pm:

David, sounds more like Fatty Arbuckles old ride.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Dewey, N. California on Saturday, August 04, 2012 - 03:08 pm:

ROFL!!!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Erik Johnson on Saturday, August 04, 2012 - 03:31 pm:

Assuming the frame is not bent, if you are mechanical and logical you should be able to cure the problem.

The touring body his mounted to the frame with six brackets.
- You can always shim between the bracket and the frame.
- It is possible that one or more of the brackets is bent
- It is possible that the bolts in the wooden sill of the body are bent
- It is possible that the wooden sill is rotten or broken which could cause problems with the bolts mentioned above or cause the body to sag.

Additionally, the firewall is attached to the cowl of the body and is also attached to the frame with two brackets. This could also be causing some problems. The placement of the bolt holes in the firewall may be causing a problem.

Etc., etc....


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Norman T. Kling on Saturday, August 04, 2012 - 03:38 pm:

First thing is to take off the body and check the frame for straightness. Also check the spring U bolts to be sure they are tightened evenly on each side. Once you get the frame straight and level, put the body back on and shim up the low areas starting with the firewall and working back to the center of the body making sure the hood and doors shut properly. finally end up with the back of the body. When all is done the body should set straight and all hood and doors work properly.

In the event you don't want to go to all that trouble, park it on a level area and check the spring u bolts for even tightening so that the frame is level on each side and then shim the body where needed to make everything fit.

The hardest thing, but perhaps what you need is to re-wood the body. If your wood has rotted, or warped, that might be the only way you will be able to correct the problem.
Norm


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Hap Tucker on Saturday, August 04, 2012 - 03:41 pm:

Joe,

It could be caused by several things. Most were mentioned above. Some of which you can correct easily and others require more work.

You could probably "mask" the real problem by placing the correct thickness of shims between the body mounting brackets and their frame brackets. More shims in the back, the proper amount in the middle (trial and error to figure that out) some on the driver's side and none on the passenger side and the correct thickness on the driver's side. Note that may cause other problems such as door fit etc. Note Ford did NOT use shims there. But he had new bodies and new frames.

Some common causes to look for:

Was body and/or firewall removed in the past? Did if fit better previously? Perhaps they have either the firewall and/or where the body is bolted to the firewall a little off? That is also and area that could be shimmed or adjusted. A 1926-27 spindle on the driver’s side with a stock 1911-1925 spindle on the passenger side would possibly cause a similar situation.

Front spring sagging on the driver's side, front axle bent, front spring not centered properly -- all of those would be easy to correct.

Frame twisted and or bent -- much more difficult to correct while the body is on the frame -- but a good frame shop should be able to do that with the body on (probably need to loosen the body to frame bolts). (You could do that if park on some abandoned railroad tracks, bring some large jacks etc.) But it is more difficult to figure out if the frame is straight, bent, or twisted with the body etc. attached. But a good frame shop should have the equipment to tell.

Just some initial thoughts. See also: http://www.abarnyard.com/workshop/door-2.htm ref Model A shimming the body for door alignment also http://www.abarnyard.com/workshop/door-1.htm and in the case of a 1917 – you have the following body mounting locations see John Regan’s fun projects drawing at: http://www.funprojects.com/pdf/FPIframe.pdf

Have you put a level on the different parts to see what is going on? Ford built low cost high volume cars by 1917 and door fit, body fit, etc. were not the main focus.

Respectfully submitted,

Hap l9l5 cut off


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Joe Amara on Saturday, August 04, 2012 - 04:14 pm:

Thanks to all for the advice. The body wood is in great shape, so I'll start going through a checklist of everything else recommended. This may be a case of what Hap stated at the end of his comments: low cost, high volume. Still, worth fixing.


Posting is currently disabled in this topic. Contact your discussion moderator for more information.
Topics Last Day Last Week Tree View    Getting Started Formatting Troubleshooting Program Credits    New Messages Keyword Search Contact Moderators Edit Profile Administration