Projects which wish bone should I split? model A, 33 or 35? Do I modify original perch bolts?

I have a full fendered 29 Model a truck project. I am running a 35 front axle. I am going to split the wish bone. Which of these 3 do I use? DOes one have more value than the other? The 33 has a bend to it, the other two are straight. Also, should I cut up these perch bolts or do they have value to a restorer running mechanical brakes?

 

I think that I would use the model A stuff all around on a full fendered car. The '33 '34 wishbone is quite a bit more valuable than the A, and the '35 and '36 is a little too long to clear the running board brackets and aprons comfortably. As far as the perches go, I would say go ahead and cut them up. I just bought a pair from our local Model A shop here in Gilbert AZ., and they were any pair I wanted for 40.00. I don't believe they are rare or valuable enough to worry about.

 

A loaded question

The A bones are a bit short...and I believe they are 2-1/4 boss.

The 33 bones are 2" but there is less room under the bone of you use a drop axle and 37 up spindles. You'd have to bend the spindle arms more than using the 35 bones

The 35 is 2" but because the top of the yoke is thicker, the perch bolt will be too short unless you mod the bone tops to look like the 33 set.

The stock 32/34? perch bolts will only fit the 33 out of all 3 you have..unless you mod the 35s

There is a caster difference in what types you have.


Bending the bent one back will be easy after it's split. I'd use a press and cold. might need to push is several spots to get it perfect

 

I'd use the '35/'36 wishbone & mount it inboard of the frame if it interferes with the running board brackets.

Until someone can prove otherwise, I believe the longer the better when dealing with radius rods.

Cut the perches to suit your needs.

JH

 

Dont cut the perches, people want them and they dont make repop's. They fetch around $150 for a good pair. Took me a while to find a good pair.

 

Ill second dont cut up those perches There 32 -34 ford and there for hooking up the houdalle shocks ,I have 2 pairs and I know better ,They are hard and expensive to find ,Speedway motors sell a set thats reasonable .On the bones anything 32 just dont cut ,The 36 is a stronger set of bones .Anything bent I wouldnt use..Model A are a 1/4inch to big for the axle your using .And that would be the same for wishbones

 

You will need a spacer between the axle and the wishbone if you put the a bones on the 35 axle. There is also more caster built into the 32-36 bones. I would use the 35 axle with a spacer on the model A bones.

 

Thanks for everyone's input. I was thinking those perch bolts had some value. So it looks like a Model A wish bone with spacers on my 35 axle. I think that gives me the best geometry from what I have read. Plus I don't wreck the 33-34 set.

 

This thread talks about straightening the bent wishbones and the poster said to bend them cold. Who knows about bending the front split wishbones to clear the tires when making a sharp turn? My buddy said he just heated them and bent them. Any recommendations?

 

I didn't bend my split A wishbone at all for tire turning clearance. My wishbone brackets are directly below the Model A frame rail.
I'm in North Little Rock not too far from the Honda motorcycle shop.

 

Don't cut those perches! If you want to cut them, trade them to someone like me who wants stock ones and has already cut ones.....

 

Different year bones are different thicknesses and different size oval tubing....meaning they all won't respond the same.

You can't bend them cold...it's too much of a bend IMO

Heat, but you need to know how tube reacts as you heat, where to heat, and where to move the heat when it starts to go. Do it wrong, and it will kink, or crush, etc.