Body to frame fit

I bought a 32 Ford project that didnt have a floor because the P.O. was going to channel the body. The good thing is that the sub-rails are inthere from the front to just past the "b" post. The only mods I did to the frame was to change the front crossmember to a model A crossmember and I took out the K member and installed an X center section from Chassis Engineering.
My problem is this,,, after I finished my frame to a rolling chassis stage, I installed the body over the frame rails to make it a High Boy, the body sits fine all over the frame EXCEPT in the back over the gas tank. I have about three inches between the bottom of the body and the gas tank and I think its supposed to be about 3/4 of an inch gap.
any sugestions as to how I can fix this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for your help.
Ernie

 

Is the body a steel Henry?

 

I would guess that the underpants gnomes came and messed with the subrails but I could be wrong.

if there were some pics posted our guesses and theories would probably be a lot closer to reality.

 

the rear frame horns could also be bent down , kinda common on original frames from the rear end bottoming out and the weight of the fuel in the tank

as already said.....pictures?

 

that gap?

 

Correct. That gap.

 

The only way to be sure it to install a rear fender, if all the bolt holes in body and chassis match, it is were it should be. Do you have the firewall installed? That sets the front height.

 

I will try to post pictures (I'm not too coputer Saaavy) but I had the frame on a "frame jig" and the dimensions were right on as on the Wescott frame plan which are 2-1/4" from the bottom of frame horns at the end to the bottom line of the frame ( see Wescott's drawing)

 

Yes its all Henry steel. Do fiberglass bodies have sub-rails?

 

I will try to post pictures but I think you might be right as to the subrails being messed with.

 

I have the firewall installed and there is a 1" gap between the firewall frame mounting surface and the body bracket that bolts to the firewall and onto the frame. I'm not running fenders and nor do I have any to try the matchup you mention.
Thanks so far for your interest in my problem guys.
Ernie

 

get someone to help you post pics.

 

Here is the three finger gap


Here is a picture of the body sitting on the frame at the drivers door area




Here is the big gap at front between the frame and the body front mounting tabs or brackets




Here is the big gap at rear area between bottom of body and top of gas tank
a

 

Pictures posted

 

That firewall bracket is not what sets the height of the firewall/cowl.

You need feet on the firewall.

You are pulling the front down too much

 

Take a pic of whatever is left on the bottom of the A and B pillars, pics from inside the car.



EDIT: I am sure that when the cowl is being pulled down too far, the body is tetering on the B pillars like a see-saw, and that is raising the tail end.

 

Yep , The firewall ( with feet ) has to be bolted down first , then the seal around the lip , then the body fits over this and pulls down where you have the clamp

also .....the gas tank slides in on top of the rail flange .........not underneath

Cheers

Steve in Oz

 

This photo from Limey Steve shows how the firewall/feet bolt to the top of the framerail. The cast bolt hole acts as a "pinch" bolt to adjust the door gaps, and is not meant to fit flush to the frame rail.




-Ryan

 

Thanks to all for all the good sugestions. All that makes a lot of sence. Like "F&J" said about the see-saw affect and "hotcargo" sugestion of puting the gas tank on top of the frame rails (I had built some nice brackets that go under the gas tank to help with the weight because I like the way the gas tank looks under and you can see the frame instead of the ugly gas tank seam, but oh well). Also thanks to "teach'm" for the Limey picture (there again all my previous research I had seen that Cast Hole Bracket snug down on top of the firewall. Also thanks to all the other guys that responded earlier.
Ernie