History ‘32 Ford question

What did Ford do to secure the body to the firewall in 1932? I’m building a 3-window and I am wondering what Ford did there or even what others builders do. I’m temporarily using clecos

thanks. Tony.

 

Pretty sure they used straight blade flat headed screws possibility with star washers. Model A had them and I know 1936 had them. I’m assuming 32 would be the same or close to it.

 

I assume that you are assembling a flat-pack Brookville 3 window. There are no factory fasteners where you have those clecos. The body to firewall fasteners comprise 4 in the top dead center of the cowl where the hood is attached with a body/cowl bracket and the bolt each side at the bottom of the cowl which goes from the cowl through the center hole in the firewall feet. And there is a rubber sealing strip between the firewall and cowl and you will need that in place to get it right.

 

The chassis came down the assembly line and the body was installed. The body had a bracket. A bolt was installed thru the and the frame to pull the body down onto the firewall. There was a rubber gasket between the body and the firewall. The screws for the rear hood bracket also went thru both the firewall and the body but I don't believe that should be counted as holding the two together.

Charlie Stephens

 

The first thing to understand is that when Ford built 1932 Model 18, the 'firewall' was considered a chassis part, not a body part. In fact it was called 'the dash' not 'firewall.'

It was fixed to the chassis and the body lowered over it. An L shaped bracket on the lower side of each cowl side bolted through angle holes on the frame top and clamped the cowl to the 'dash.' There are also a pair of bolts at the top centre which go through the cowl gutter and 'dash' to mount the hood hinge bracket.

In an endeavour like this it would be wise to get copies of the 1932 books from the Early Ford V8 club. Then everything will make sense.

 

Don’t forget the inner cowl band before you clamp the body down tight over the firewall.

 

Mine has 5/16 18 slot screws at the body through the hood Center hinge bracket and 6 3/8 24 bolts at the feet (3 per foot)

 

Mine is as explained , but I also drilled and machined slot head bolts 1/2 up on each side

 

Thanks everyone for the help.

 

Quite correct. Heres one just about ready to hit the road. Don,t get to excited about the suicide door on a Tudor , it,s a Euro Tudor .

 

always liked this photo……..