I have all new pans and braces from EMS (fantastic quality BTW). Problem is my floor is so hacked and butchered and rotted that I don't know exactly how it's supposed to go. I'm working on LF pan and brace, have new outer rocker welded in, inner clamped in place, when I set the front brace on frame and slid against inner rocker, I'm nearly an inch off from lining up with frame mount holes. Still have existing floor in place and all other body mount holes are lined up only have left front area cut out so far. So I guess my question is, Are the EMS braces made extra long then you cut to fit? Or do you cut the inner rocker so they go into it or thru it? Should there be a hole in the inner rocker where the brace welds to it? Mine had squarish holes but I can't tell if they were meant to be there or if they just rotted out. Also, should there be drain holes cut into the new rockers? Any help greatly appreciated!
Pictures would help. Can you post them? I replaced my floor panels recently so I might be able to say a couple of things: Don cut you old pans and braces off before having it sort out. On my 56 the braces dont go thru the inner rockers, theyr just welded. They go from there and support the floor pan, part to which they are spot welded. Then there is a hole with a recess thru which goes the bolt that holds it to the frame brace. If i recall correctly only thing square are these "tabs" on the frame braces that hold the square nuts in place for your body mounting bolts. The rockers drain holes are molded rectangular (about 5mmX20mm) openings left when you spot weld the inner and outter rocker panels on theyr lower portion. Look for them, you'll find them and understand what I'm trying to explain. Heres a couple of pics that might help: Go thru my free beer post. Maybe something on there helps. I'm sure others will shime in with better advice.
Thanks Rui, I'm at work now so I'll try to take and post pics tonight. I only cut out the section I'm working on now. That 4th pic looking inside the rocker helps a lot! According to that my new brace is extra long and I need to trim to fit against the inner rocker. Or probably bend out the edges to go flat against it.
Be sure you have the correct brace for that position. Looks like 5 different braces and also depends on body style. Very confusing!
I have ALL the braces! LOL! You should see the mess someone made, 1 1/2" angle iron, 1/8" flat steel, 1/2" square tube all on top of what's left of orig. floor and more sheet metal on top of all that! My plasma cutter is getting a workout!
The factory floor supports have a flange were they are spot welded to the inner rockers, it looks like the reproductions for the '55-'56 don't have it. No holes on the inner rocker, the floor supports just **** up against them. The inner rocker is just a flat piece of sheet metal that has a 90 degree bend at the top where the floor pan sits on it. The outer rocker also sits on top of that small section of inner rocker, covered by the door scuff plates. Here is how they are supposed to look;
1st pic shows square tube and flat steel added to floor braces are too long to match frame holes when against inner rocker no flange on repo brace 1 1/2 angle iron in rocker section! LOL
After looking at your pictures it looks like they make them long enough so you can cut them to length and bend the flanges on the end. I can see on one of your pictures a little dip on the top edge of your new floor support where it should fit under the inner rocker panel, its definitely inboard to much. If you look close enough at the pictures of that well detailed car that I posted you can see the small flanges on the ends of the floor supports.
You have it right so far, your new floor pan will **** against the outer rocker on the top side, that way the scuff plate will lay flat. Originally all these overlapping pieces were spot welded every 1 1/2'' - 2'' The small tabs on the end of the floor supports only had 2 or 3 spot weld per tab. I'm at the same point with mine.
Yes, you gotta bend those tabs to spot weld them to the inner rocker. Dont forget to remove the paint on you new pieces on the places your gonna spot weld, eg. thru the holes youll have to drill on the floor pans. And keep us posted!
Did you manage to find the drain holes? Theys just p***ages left open where the inner meets the outter rocker panels.
Thanks everybody for confirming what I was thinking, just wanted to make sure before cutting or bending anything.
thanks for buying from us! when you need help call us we will be glad to help you out. the ems guy 1-248-546-0232 also check out our web site in the 55-56 ford section use the technical photo ****on for pics of other installations of 55/56 ford there is one from another hamber there
Thank you so much guys for this ongoing saga, learning a lot. I'm right here too on a '56 Vicky and have the EMS body mounts, rusty floor etc. and only fear and common sense are holding me back from hacking away. My p***. side at firewall door post and inner is pretty much gone too. EMS only make one for the '57 as below - why I don't know but looks pretty much the same - do you think it will work? Anybody use? Thanks again for this whole site.
If its close modify it to fit, its just metal. You wont see it when the fender is installed. Your only alternative is to find a parts car and cut that section out.
Not sure about the rockers on your year, but all I've seen does not have the drain holes. They have to be added. Lots of good advise being given here. Wish I had been around these forums when I did mine. POR-15 everything as you go along and can get to it (without interfering with welding of course)
And take your time with the POR15 surface prep, follow the steps. Youll be amazed with the efficiency of the marine clean stuff.
Mark T, I'm replacing a lot in my car and found this thread. I'm trying but cant tell exactly how far ahead of the first brace the inner rocker extends in the picture you posted.. I have an EMS piece. any help is appreciated.
From the factory the inner rocker panel went all they way to the rounded section of the outer panel seen on the left side of the picture below, I copied this picture from another post about rocker panels. (not my photo)
The Jalopy Journal
