'32 Frame. K member bolted three pieces or leave it in one ?

This evening I spent half hour watching my k member and thinking about if it worth to spend 1 day dividing it in three pieces to bolt togheter to improve the accessibility for future fast manteinance of the ******.

As you can see if I dont cut or make a bolt in x member I must remove also the engine to take apart the ******.

Now thats not the main issue. I think that the k member (future x member) became more flexible compromising the whole frame rigidity.

What do you think about ?

Sorry for the bad english.

Luca






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Leave it alone! By the looks of your pix thats a really nice looking K-member. Pull it out and sell it. Original unmolested deuce k-members are worth quite a few dollars. Build a new ****** x-member outta tube steel.

 

I've swapped an engine and transmission in my roadster which is on a '32 frame with a stock K-member.... had it running before noon the same day....

In my opinion its not worth the loss in rigity of the frame to get away from the rivets with the risk of the bolts coming loose over time or in general not expanding like a rivet does when installed....

Zach

 

On a car like that, it's easier to pull the engine anyway, than to drop the trans out the bottom. I've had my engine out, (with a K-member) fixed something and had it back in within a couple of hours on mine- I'd rather be standing next to it, than underneath it!

 

Loss of rigidity, and the horror of mutilating a really nice piece...
On a torque tube Ford, removing trans with engine and removing trans from within with engine in place are a tossup! Both are a lot of work. ***uming decentgarage and equipment, removing engine will be easier for someone with back problems, the other way perhaps easier for the young and strong. Remember that trans weighs 3 times as much when you are curled up under the dash!

Two thoughts: Look at a '32-4 BB crossmember...Two short stumps riveted solidly to frame, middle piece unbolts from those with heavily bolted flanges. An actual BB piece would need only simple alterations for p***enger frame and trans flange, or the idea could be used in the middle of a p***enger piece.
Another approach would be '48-52 truck crossmember, which uses the two-pad type trans support like all '33-48 Fords and has open top for access...add diagonals like a '32.
And what's the problem with remocing engine?? Light bar, 2 bolts for radiator, maybe 10 more bolts??? Look at old dragstrip pics...you will see people swapping transmissions that way with enough time left to get in more runs...and that without a hoist!

 

Bruce is spot on, as usual...I built a '30 Model A Cabriolet on a '32 frame, stock K-member. I was young, but realized transmission removal would necessitate engine AND trans.
Removal of both the latter was much easier than pulling the rear, IF the crossmember had been opened up, then floor plate, seat, etc., etc.
I was always glad I had the presence of mind to leave that cherry K-member alone!

 

4vs1. Okay okay you win! I'm going to leave the cross as it is. You folks saved me more than one day of life. Thanks for the advices.

Luca


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