Technical 32 frame/model A rear crossmember

can anyone tell me if the rear model A crossmember I am putting in my ASC 32 rails sits at 0 degrees with the frame level or is there a desired angle for it- i am using a transverse spring/banjo reared setup-

 

It does not sit at zero! Is your banjo going to be open drive? Or are you using the torque tube? Mock everything up in that frame before you weld anything solid...

 

with the frame level it has a 3 deg angle

 

What part of a 32 frame is level??.....Unless he has a jig, which if he did he would not be asking this question. He needs to mock up everything on his frame before making anything solid. if he is going open drive he can fudge a little on the pitch of the rearend without spring binding, but if he is using the torque tube it all needs to be setup at once....Atleast to do it right anyhow. just my 2 cents

 

Agreed. Mock up. If the crossmember position and angle are'nt exactly right for what you are running, especially enclosed driveline, the spring will not be square and lined up over the shackle mount on the rearend. Then what? Tweak,Bind? eat bushings? gotta be right.

 

So I am using open drive shaft-I figured I should mock it up first-thanks!

 

Are you going to run a quick change? That is the only reason to run an A rear crossmember. The double bend in a Model A rear spring causes a lot of friction. I have never ridden in a car with one that road great. Put a 40 front spring in there instead.

 

Now I have preached, I repent!
To help the OP. determine where the radius rod front attachment will be on the frame and where the spring is mounted on the rear axle. At the desired ride height draw a line between these two points. A string or piece of conduit would work. The top of the crossmember would ideally be parallel with this line to to reduce twisting of the spring as it moves.
This applies to front or rear and sping over or wherever.

 

Be sure and box the frame around the crossmember

 

Why?

 

In the book "How To Build A Traditional Ford Hot Rod" there is a chapter on using the 32 frame with a Model A body. It includes a picture of a 32 frame with a Model A rear cross member. It was positioned using a wedge. The 32 frame runs up and down so positioning the cross member needs to be done with the chassis set up. Tack, don't finish weld until you are sure you have it right.

 

If you do a search, I wrote a thread here about how to do this. I've done loads of them and alway reverse the Model-A rear crossmember when installing in a '32 frame. The bottom sits against the bottom flange of the rails and coincidently that appears to be dead on for a torque tube and K-member.