Not to beat a Dead Horse but need some advice.. Already SEARCHED/// and yes I have the book.. 31 A Coupe 8ba Flathead 39 top loader 40 Banjo Rear Torque Tube I drilled out all the rivets to sandblast my A frame to clean up metal Rewelded Front / Middle / Rear Crossmembers in Gonna be using Tardel K member for Support / Ease of not having to find an original 32 k member. My question is: Now that I've welded in the Crossmembers in and will be welding in the Tardel K member, Do I box the frame since its already welded and no longer Riveted? Or, Am I okay with just the welding of all three crossmembers and Tardel K member? I've searched and searched and am stuck here... My main concern is since the frame has been welded and no longer riveted // Will it be to rigid? P.S. The Flatty will be pretty much stock with 2x2 Fenton Intake/Windfield cam/Headers/ALum heads/ 2 Strombergs. Thanks Hambers!
There is no such thing as too rigid a frame today. Boxing wouldn't hurt but rare is the old hot rod from the day with a boxed frame and a flatmotor. And most were gas-welded too. Have a great time and build a nice safe car.
i run a nasty 286 59 ab in a stock riveted frame with a tardel k member bolted in.. so i think you will be ok not boxing but thats your call. like pasadena said, build a safe car, and a great time too..
If you BOX the frame I learned a trick you may want to use. Instead of boxing it flush with the edge of the rail. Put your box about 1/4 to 3/16ths in the frame. This will give a better rigidity as well as probably a better weld and also someplace to run wires safely along the frame. Good Luck Fuzzy
Box it now. Down the road a ways you may decide to install an overhead and you'll definitely need the boxing then. Setting up for possible future changes is always a good idea.
Good responses guys! Just so that this does not turn into another boyd vs blue bear type conversation, I just want to clarify my current standing on my Av8 Frame, and why I posted to begin with. I have seen many unboxed / riveted Av8 Frames... I have heard/read that the model a frame was meant to be flexible hence the rivets. My CONCERN/QUESTION where I really could use the advice/Help is Since I took apart the cross members (all three) to sandblast, And rewelded them in, WIll I have any issues with A nonboxed but yet welded instead of riveted AV8 with the Flatty? As I posted earlier, I will be Runnnig the Tardel K member for more strength/mounting my 39 Toploader. I hope Im not confusing anyone but just want to clarify. C9 I like your idea but I know for sure that This Coupe will always run a flathead and nothing else. This build is Personal to me and want to really feel Like "I was there". Thanks guys
C9 has great advice. you are set on keeping a flathead in it. i think you are golden. put that k member in an go. i see no reason to box the frame with the flathead. you will be amazed at what the k member will do to the frame rigidity..
You can probably get away without it, others do, but you can buy pre-cut plates for $100 plus shipping and some time and rod to weld them in. Why not? Yeah a flatty's not a race motor, but it's still more than double the horsepower of the banger. Unless you're on a serious budget build -
J ripper I hope you are right... Believe me its what I want to hear ..... It would be alot of work avoided.... However, this is not about getting out of a job, If it needs to be done. It will get done.. BBoy
I think I better listen to the old advice "Sometimes Less Is more" . Wondering how many Av8 Guys are just welding the Crossmembers In as opposed to fully boxing. Just curious BBOY
i have built two this way. no problems, but im sure someone out there will not agree with it.. hopefully just Boyd... ha ha.
Mine is not boxed but I did weld the crossmembers in. It uses a modified stock center crossmember but not a K member and it seems fine. It was built like this originally in the 50's (less the welded crossmembers) and lasted along time already. When I tore it apart and checked the frame for straighness I was suprised to find it almost dead on straight and square. I think it will be fine without boxing.
I think if you want to keep it a traditional AV8..don't box it. You'll be fine. But as said before..if you stuff a more powerful OHV motor in it...might as well stiffen up the ch***is, but that can be done later.
I put a modified bolt-in F-1 truck crossmember in mine in which the frame isn't boxed and the only welding on it is the 3" kick in the rear as per "the book". Had to take some sag out of it initially but otherwise it's only out of square about 1/16". Good enough for me and Bobby McGee! Regards, Dave.
Thanks av8 Dave...... Peace of mind is a coming!! Let me see::: Unboxed A Frame, WIth 3 Model A Crossmembers and 1 Tardel K member all Welded In ....No problem...... It does not matter that the A Frame Loses the Flex that the Rivets Provided. Unboxed/welded crossmembers in =Safe Hot Rod Frame! Welded Crossmembers will not Crack due to lack of Horizontal Twisting of frame. I guess I'll leave it as is and Proceed with The Rear Kick as per "The Book" BBoy
In 1956, my first car was a 30' A coupe. I beat the **** out of it when i was young and dumb. I tried to kill it, cuz i didnt know any better, I used it as if it was a jeep. Then my first rod was a 31' 2dr built just like yours, only with a 56' sbc. I raced it etc.etc. so i say yeah go ahead drive it they are pretty tuff.
SoCal joe is going to hate me for writing this. you use a 48-52 f-1 transmition crossmember and pedals , it unbolts of the truck chasis , next mount your flathead and trasmicion , box just the section where your motor mts go. next take the f-1 crossmember and bolt it to your transmition , next bolt the pedals to the crossmember and cluch arm, everything will line up perfect. you will have to trim the truck crossmember a litle. I just saved you 500.00 and you dont have to buy 250dlls 39 pedals and joe just lost a sale.
Already have Tardel K Member! Gonna Use 39 Pedals as per "The Book", That said, Good low budget way to go with an AV8.. Im sure joe will sell his parts regardless... Trad parts are always in style!!!!!!
On the box or not box the frame on the A V8. We tend to forget that when these rigs were new many of them were subjected to way more abuse than we would ever dream of doing just in daily driving. Rutted cow paths for roads in many places, No jeeps or suvs so away they went to the mountains in the trusty Model A and thought nothing of it. They also didn't get excited over body parts alignment and didn't spend much if any time getting door gaps squared away or fenders aligned just so. If body alignment isn't a big issue I wouldn't worry about boxing the frame but if you plan to make sure everything fits just so, I'd box the frame. I didn't used to like the inset boxing plates but I'm thinking that they have a number of advantages if you do box the frame. And all but thevery knowing, won't notice anyhow. These days I know people who won't drive down my driveway because it is too rough for them. <input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden">
Good Point on the body alignment....Do you think Body Alignment applies more for stock builds or Hot Rods In general? Thanks for the input..[ QUOTE=Mr48chev;4173002]On the box or not box the frame on the A V8. We tend to forget that when these rigs were new many of them were subjected to way more abuse than we would ever dream of doing just in daily driving. Rutted cow paths for roads in many places, No jeeps or suvs so away they went to the mountains in the trusty Model A and thought nothing of it. They also didn't get excited over body parts alignment and didn't spend much if any time getting door gaps squared away or fenders aligned just so. If body alignment isn't a big issue I wouldn't worry about boxing the frame but if you plan to make sure everything fits just so, I'd box the frame. I didn't used to like the inset boxing plates but I'm thinking that they have a number of advantages if you do box the frame. And all but thevery knowing, won't notice anyhow. These days I know people who won't drive down my driveway because it is too rough for them. <input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden">[/QUOTE]
Really on the precut plates? I've never seen that in my online browsing, where can you get 'em? That's cheaper than just buying the damn plate and cutting it yourself around here.
I know i saw them on egay but also think they have been advertised for sale on here here ya go http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=371030&highlight=model+boxing+plates
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