Alright, I know I'm not supossed to do this, but it's my damn site and I'm desperate. So, here goes... I have a terrible need for a set of '38 Ford bumper irons. I tried Sacramento Vintage Ford, but they sent me '39 Deluxe and can't seem to fig... <BR><BR>To read the rest of this blog entry from The Jalopy Journal, click here.
Ryan- Call and ask Ray Helger if he has a set or knows someone who does. 401-635-4849 http://www.raysantiquesandparts.com/
There is one manufacturer that makes all the repro bumper brackets, roadster top irons, and such. I met the owner once, but cannot remember a single thing of any use to find him. Someone on here must know... Also, beat the bushes for originals. New ones are bent strap material, old ones are spring steel. If an SUV backs into you at the mall, new ones will collapse. Original ones fight for every inch and pop back from whatever motion is achieved. Real grill and sheetmetal savers vs. decorative trim. Same applies to the actual bumper.
Judging by the picture, they do look similar to my 39 deluxe. I wonder if they are substantially different, or if you can modify them to work. Otherwise have you tried all ford parts campbell ca (408) 378-1935 for used?
'39 deluxe are longer and put the bumper further out from the car... I need '39 standard or '38... And yeah Bruce... I feel ya.
Looks to me like those can be straightened Ryan. Alittle heat and tender loving care. Man that bumper saved your ***...liturally.
try bill at the early ford store in san dimas http://www.earlyfordstore.com/ he has a huge stock of used parts
Im pretty sure these guys have them listed in their online catalogue... http://www.macsautoparts.com/
Rock valley antiques has them for 38-39 ford p***. in chrome of stainless. their stainless bumpers are real nice. if you want theirs i will sell them to you at my cost ryan. www.rockvalleyantiqueautoparts.com Brant
I would also straighten them cold rather than change the temper with heat. You can expect a lot of spring back so be ready to over bend to compensate.
From the looks of the picture, straigtening shouldn't be too difficult. Since the impact was in the middle of the bumper, the frame ends are probably tweaked inward, and the bumper ends are probably fine because being bolted to the bumper kept them in shape..... worth a try.
Just get youself a five foot long piece of pipe, slide over the end of the iron, and straighten them cold. Like was said before, a bit of overbending will be required because of the inherent springyness.
The Ford "Green Bible" Ch***is Parts catalog lists the 1938 p***enger rear bumper bar as p/n 74 17757 HOWEVER it shows that it was replaced by p/n 01A 17757-D which just happens to be the for: (1) 1938 Sedan Delivery, (2) 1939 Station Wagon, (3) 1938 to 1940 Pickup, Panel Delivery, and Comm'l with Platform. Maybe you can find a gennie set of these. Good luck!
Those numbers represent typical later reshuffling of replacement parts...all the arm parts are 81A. The earlier books will list out the original bits. The hit was mid-bumper...I think when you take out the bumper bolts, the arms will pop right back to proper position, unless they are repros. Rebending, if needed, will be a worthwhile fight with originals and very easy with repros. If repro, just swing them over while still on the car, use vise and brute force on original. I took out a gentle, unkinked bend in a 1948 bumper without damaging the finish by laying it on a good patch of lawn and banging away with a heavy hammer from the back. Took a LONG time and left my head vibrating for a week. Would probably be easy and fast with repro soft steel bumper.
Fingers crossed Boss! You might try Peter Macey at The Old Ford Store here in Tucson. 520.889.5301 if ya still need help.
Ryan, I went thru this years ago, the 38's take a specific set of bumper irons, they are not being reproduced. The reproduction bumper braces are for 38 deluxe sedans and 39 standard cars. They are difficult to eye ball for size so in may cases it is easy to mistake and get later versions. When you are going thru used parts with this you are going to have to have a template or measurements to determine the exact brace.
Ryan, i have a 39 standard and i wont be using them at all as i'm going the nerf bar route, if you want them you can have them...... gratis. Regards, Keith
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