working on a ch***is for my 40 coupe project and see that the x-member is not level with the outside frame rails.. i have cut the center section out so i can split the wishbone. i put a small piece of flat stock on top and bottom for now since the split wisbone kit didn't come in the mail yet.. it drops down 5/8".. is this normal or should it be level with the rails
I think you will find that when you removed the center section the X dropped down as shown in your photo. I have always place angle iron across the top of the rails to make sure they stay as built. There will be a small gap 1/8 - 1/4" under the X where I place the appropriate shim. Check the outside rails to make sure they are perpendicular to the floor 0 degrees. Here is mine after installing the TCI kit using the method described above. The side braces position the center X but are often bent badly. I made new ones from the old ones. The outside rails are straight up and down.
Mine is all back together so I cant really tell for sure if the top is dead flat across but I think I remember it did dip down some5/8 seems like a lot though. It definitely hangs lower on the bottom side than the side frame rails do. You cant see it very well here (This pic is when I removed the body from my '40) but the center braces dip down where they meet at the center of the x member, which would lead me to believe it may be lower, but how much I'm not sure. If you can get Tim (Olscrounger) to weigh in, he will likely know the exact answer.
The braces between the side rails and the center of the X often get butchered putting in exhaust systems. People underestimate how important those braces are to the structural integrity of the frame. Old Ford frames are made from relatively light gauge steel (11 gauge if I remember right), the strength comes from the way it's all ties together.
Hey, onegalonly, think about the floorboard of your coupe. It bolts to the frame and X-member and is flat. You need suitable tubing temporarily welded under both frame rails and X-member before removing center section.
ill have to check it all out tomorrow.. and my side braces were badly damaged.. i straightened on real nice but the other is not so good, so im gonna make my own also with a little bit heavier plate
thanks for the replys.. and i agree with all of you that i should have supported the x-member before removing the center.. with that said, i just went on pete&jakes tech tips under 35-40 instruction sheets, #5008 (back) and it says that there should be a 5/8 gap from the frame rails to the x-member center.. stills seems a little too much though
You'll be OK, It may have moved some but I am POSITIVE its not dead flat across there, the thickest rubber body cushions go right there at the narrow part of the X member that the floor pan mounts to if it were dead flat the cushions would all be the same thickness. Put the frame up on 3 jack stands (one each rear corner and one center of front cross member) and measure for square. If its out of square by much you can pull it back. What kind of kit did you buy Ch***is Engineering kits are super easy to install and have great tech support if you have any troubles. I have a few pics of my build with the CE kit but none to really show with a straight edge across there but I know it does drop down some. You can see that in the stepdown of the side braces.
the ch***is is dead on square.. i checked it before and after i removed the center section.. i bought a complete front end kit from posies.. they still need to send me the split wishbone kit, rotors, and steering arms since they were out of stock on those.. pete&jakes is the supplier of there kits.. my rear kit is ch***is engineering.. i don't think there kits come with the center supports like ch***is engineering.. ill have to make my own
Where can I get the x- member braces? I thought I saw them advertised somewhere & I think they were tubular to clear the exhaust,
Bob Drake sells them for around $150.00 https://www.bobdrake.com/FordItem.a...Category=96590175-56a8-4a45-9aac-53a0ee637c29
78-5048/9 has been out of stock since the guy in M*** that made them died, now years ago. Drake must hold some hope at their being back in production as another shop got the dies. Luckily the braces are the last to rust on junk frames. More likely to be ruined by shabby muffler installs. Good Luck: Fred A
Well I am not surprised to hear that Drake is out of stock. I had never tried to order this item but it looked like an easy way to replace an often damaged part on a 35-40 frame. Personally I would make this piece. I have seen a few different styles of replacement braces made for this application.
Thanx for all the input guys.But I came upon Weedeaters & they sell a square tubular version that seem pretty stiff
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