Hopefully I'm in the right spot/area. We are finally getting started on the Henry J for my wife (its her dream car). It is a very solid car with the exception of the usual floors and rockers. I already have made the complete floor pan from 16g steel, inner rockers from 18g steel, floor braces from 16g steel and have a set of new outer rockers. The A pillar (door hinge pillar) is in pretty good shape, unfortunately I cannot say the same for the B side. How have any of you rebuilt or fabbed/grafted a repair for the lower portion of the B pillar ( door striker pillar )? I can do it piece by piece if I have to I guess?
I'm literally brand new here and still trying to figure things out. When I can figure out how to get the pictures from my phone to to the album then to the post I would be Happy to post pics. I believe in we all help each other and sometimes pictures can say 1000 words lol.
You can post the pictures straight from your phone, usually. No need to mess with albums. Pull up your thread on your phone and go to the bottom of the page where it says "write your reply". Write what you want to say and hit enter after the last word. That leaves the cursor at the start of a new paragraph and will position the photo below the text. Hit the "Upload a File" button. It will give you choices: Photo Library or Take Photo or Choose Files. Hit Photo Library and find the photo you want to post. Select it and hit ADD. Your picture will load onto the bottom of the "Write Your Response" box as a thumbnail. After the photos load - (it may take a minute if you load more than one). Hit the "Full Image" button. Your picture should now be in the "Write Your Response " box. Note that the picture will appear wherever you left the cursor just prior to hitting "upload a file" so be aware of where the cursor is before hitting "Full Image" Hit "Post Your Reply". I'm sure others will chime in, but that works for me with my iPhone.
A Henry J, I'll keep tabs on this thread, I think the floors and rockers disappeared on day two with these cars.
Thanks for the welcoming everyone. Here are a couple pictures of when we moved it outside to re arrange the garage so we could start on it.
I bought the car for her like 17 years ago and put it in the corner of the garage wigh the plan of getting to it eventually. So last year we built a Nova sleeper for my youngest son and i got back in the groove. So here are some pics of the teardown.
Yes, please select “full size” not “thumbnail” prior to posting the pics you’ve uploaded. I can’t zoom in on an open thumbnail pic, it washes away on my phone. And welcome!
The plans for this car is just a hot rod to start with. Here in Minnesota it seems everyone makes them into a gasser so she does NOT want a gasser lol. I am hoping to at least get it running and driving for her by our June Back to the 50's car show. IF we are actually able to make it happen by June the exterior of the car won't look any different than when we started. So, back to the question, By June it will have a v-8 (327/350), auto trans, hopefully a different rear end, retain its factory front end, complete new wire harness, it will be turn key.. The exterior of the car will retain all of its original rust free panels and looks and will wear the original painted wheels with the original small hubcaps. Basically the exterior looks will not change from the pictures. Right now I just need to make structurally sound in the floor and rocker areas. I am hoping she can get some enjoyment out of it during the summer and we will put it back under the construction process next winter. The car was drivable before we started this project so if I have to sweet talk the rear-end to make it thru the summer I can do that lol. Future plans are a more powerful v-8 , a better built auto trans with an overdrive, rear end with wider tires. It'll wear black cherry paint with raspberry metalflake ( basecoat/clearcoat). She has had this car for so long she deserves to play with it. 1 thing I forgot to add is she likes the 51 grill better so we will be installing the 51 grill and removing the 52 grill and trim. I have most of what i need for the 51 grill (missing the hood trim).
This is the area im trying to tackle next. Rebuilding or repairing this mess. I already made new floor pans, floor pan braces, inner rocker sub structure, and outer rockers (bought the outers). Im just not sure if this B pillar needs to be rebuilt piece by piece (i can do it that way if need be i guess). Whats your thoughts? I clicked full image this time. Hope it helps.
I'd say however you can get it rebuilt is the way to go, 1 piece or 10 as long as it's solid. Keep the future tucked under wide tires on the quiet, this forum doesn't allow those kind of cars.
e No, full image would post this size: you can go back and edit your previous posts and change them to the bigger size by hitting "full image"
Our family car in the mid-50s was a '52 Henry J, so seeing that front grille brings back memories. I've seen those Henry Js with Buick nailheads in them. Lots of power and torque fitted comfortably in the engine compartment without a lot of hacking. I would imagine there are plenty of adaptors that can combine a GM-style automatic with overdrive without a lot of effort, although anything behind a V-8 will eat up a lot of foot room inside that cab. Also, for what your wife probably desires, I'd get an Explorer 8.8-inch locking rear axle and shorten the housing on one side then use a second short axle. Should fit inside those rear wheel wells or get you close. I can't wait to see what you accomplish.
Within the last 10 years, one showed up at the Pueblo NSRA show. Candy apple red, very nice interior. I don't remember much of the conversation I had with the owner other than the price of the paint job. His was a driver, not a gasser. I thought it was a neat car.
Alumslot, I like the look of your J. Did you need to do any floor or rocker work to it? Whats in it for a motor?
Wfo guy, paint and body work, well basicly all work these days is ridiculously expensive. I talked with a guy locally who paid over 13,000 to have his car painted. And at that price he had cut some corners. I went to tech school when i was a young guy and used to specialize in body work and repair, and also did some painting. Everything gets done here at my garage (except transmissions. I have a very good freind that does those for me). All our family cars are built by our family in the garage. I help my freind with his project and he'll help me with mine. For those of us that are lucky enough to have the skill set we can save tons of money.
I was lucky it was a amerture rebuild. Drove it a year stock. It has a SBC 700r4, 9" ford, Pwr steering and brakes my wife drives it all the time. I can't speak of the frame here but check the web you'll find out.
Does anyone have any idea what door pins fit the Henry J door hinges. I ordered some Dorman 38391 kits as that's the closest i could find to fitting so far to see if they will work. My stock pins are worn and the hinges are worn also ( not really bad though ) and I refuse leave them sag.
Can't help you with the specific questions, but really like the car and the plans. Judging from the picture of the pillar, I doubt even patch panels would get you everything you need. It's probably fab as you go. Hinge pins I'd go with the next bigger, same length and drill out the worn hinges to fit (if you can unbolt), maybe even go with bushings although they will probably outlast your use steel on steel.
Im wanting to install bushings and new pins and just do it the right way. Yes the hinges unbolted and the pins come out just fine. Actually better than i thought they would. This car actually hasnt given a fight on anything yet. Ive got 3 more pieces to make for the outside of the B pillar then ill weld it all together then start fabing the inner side. Like a puzzle, 1 piece leads to another then next thing ya know its done. Using 18 g (same as factory) for rockers and patches but upgraded to 16g floor and 3 floor braces (factory was 2) made from 16g also. Im a perfectionists so im not happy till all the fitment is just right and looks perfect. I made templates from thin cardboard then transferred to steel and cut out.
Well, door hinges are done and nice and tight. Does anyone know how the clips come out of the frame that hold the body to the frame?? I personally don't trust those lag bolt style bolts and would feel better about switching our car to an actual bolt system. There is nothing wrong with my frame clips and the lag style bolts go in and out fine so I would rather not destroy them if I can save them and allow someone else to use them who may need them.
Anyone have any idea on how to remove the body mount bolt clips in the frame? I dont want to ruin them .
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