channelling a 32-34 coupe

Hi everyone,

I tried to search through the HAMB archives looking this info but to no avail. Let's say you want to channel the body of a 32 thru 34 Ford coupe about 3" or so. I'd like to know what issues you have to deal with with respect to modifying the firewall, making the grill shell line up to it "looks right", etc. Also, can you still run a stock gas tank even if the body is channelled? Or do you have to position it lower somewhat, or even put in the trunk? Thanks a lot!

Chris

 

Some shitty pictures here.

 

Nuther

 

Yet another

 

I had no floor or firewall in mine.
I built mine on deuce rails.
I dropped the body over them then I made some crossmembers out of 1 1/2"x1/2" sections I scavenged from clothing racks. I welded the crossmembers to the frame temporarily until I made a complete floor. It helped keep the doors straight and retain strength, then I cut the welds off and removed the body in one piece.
It was a bear of a job.

 

OK, so it looks like you need to cut some sections out of the firewall in order for it to rest between the frame rails. How about the gas tank in back?

Also, would it be a problem if you were to "gradually" channel the body? What I mean is... if you wanted a more drastic rake, could you mount the body in the stock position in the rear, but have the front of it sitting a few inches lower over the frame rails?

Anything else? I'm new to this, so I'm all ears.

Chris

 

SW, I had to mount the gas tank below the frame rails, it's a '34 tank. I had to cut the rails around back and widen 'em to fit the tank. The intention was to use a deuce gas tank but they're expensive as hell.
You can certainly do a tapered channel job if you want.

I made a huge mistake when I built my car, I didn't have a radiator or a grille shell. When I found a deuce radiator and an Anglia grille I realized the cowl sat way lower than the grille, it looked horrible. Obviously I could've have the radiator shortened and chopped the grille shell, but I decided to unchannel the car about an 1 1/2", I wasted at least two weeks of work.
In hindsight I'm glad I did that because that extra few inches helps out in a such a heavily chopped car.
I suggest you have your grill shell and radiator all mocked up before you channel your body. I hate uphill looking grilles.
Use cardboard patterns to shape your floor.

Here's a picture of the gas tank.

 

A couple of more build shots that might help you.

 

Thanks a lot, Nads. That's some great information. Experience is priceless... that helps me out a lot. Another question if you'd indulge me... I have to think that if the body is channelled, it would be very difficult to run hood sides on the car. Especially a 33/34 coupe because of the pieces that are attached under the front fenders (I forget what they're called... the ones with the blisters). If you did try to have hood sides, you'd have to section them the depth that you channelled the car, right? Also, if you used a tapered channel, in order for the lines of the car to match up and avoid the "broken" look, you'd have to position the drill shell much lower than you would have if it was a regular channel job.

 

Way cool,, I was going to do a search on this exact same subject.

Lots of good info,, thanks guys!!

 

SW, it won't be a problem to run hood sides at all, you'll just have to make everything from scratch.
The only thing that really doesn't work on my car, besides the hideous cowl top that I made, is the way the bottom front corners point up. IMHO, '33-'34s always look best when you run the original fender blisters too.

Eventually I'm gonna redo the cowl and build a hood for it. I'm nut sure about sides just yet, but I will need to put a blister on there to cl;ear the generator.

I wouldn't mind the car having a real swoopy Bonneville type look.