After pulling the top off, it was recommended by several friends that I replace the outside perimeter of the wood. Too many years and too many holes have taken its toll. I still need to remove the padding, etc. to see if the cross beams are any good. Before I go any further, I wanted some advice from those that have done it before.
I could not find anything in the Ford Repair Manual about removing the wood. There are three screws above door openings and, feeling around, it appears that there are some screws that are accessible only through the top channel of the rear window frame.
It's screwed all the way around. The back also has at least 2, one on each side of the rear window. The front bulkhead about 4. You could cut them off with a hack saw blade if you want to just replace the top wood.
You will find carriage bolts up through the top channel all the way around from door to door. Plus wood screws above the doors and windshield. These bolts have blind nuts with slots. Mine couldn't be undone and I ended up cutting the wood, and breaking.twisting off the bolts. Removal of the interior panels and upper window cushions is a must to accomplish this. If you get a kit, you get it all. See other posts on installing a top on a Tudor.
Guys:
Thanks for the info. My car is an early 1927. Can I assume that it is similarly constructed?
27 fordor on the left...26 coupe on the right...yup very similar. It really isn't as tough as you might be thinking. The fordor was a kit, the coupe I made from scratch. You could just replace the top wood and headliner and top. But, if the top wood is bad then chances are any wood its connected too will need some attention. The interior upholstery panels could be removed carefully and reused. You'd just need to take the time to do it with minimal damage.
Don:
Thanks for the help. Geez - I feel like an ignoramus. Without the front fenders, the fordor looked too tall and I didn't recognize the coupe from that angle.