I need some suggestions on how to pull my 31 out of the woods. The frame is broke(rusted) between the front door hinge and cowl. I was thinking of pulling the body off(toying with the idea of building my own frame) but the lower part where the door post between the 2 doors is rusted off. Any of the Hambers out there with experience with this problem have any suggestions? thanks plmczy
I don't want to discourage you but I'm picturing something that either can't be saved or a project that won't be worth the effort in the long run. Model A's are not that RARE. Possibly posting a picture of what you have could help us give you some suggestions. Frank
I would grab an elec sawzall take the cowl and any goodies leave the rust Ha rest. You can always put it back together later.
I would call Lulabelle when you're ready to do it.He could bring a couple of his 4x4's and jack.Of course,I wouldn't call hif if there's snow or ice involved!
Complete DeWalt cordless set with 4x4's lag bolts, cargo straps, bottle and floor jacks...! Good luck...!
Fab, I've been contemplating wether or not to fix it up. This would be my first major undertaking of a project like this. I have restified a 73 RR before so I'm not a newbie so to say . I just hate to see it fade away, you don't see many 31 Dodges on the road. Here's some pics to look at. Lulabelle, I'll see about you helpin me out. The car is on my buddies' in-law's property and they are a private people. I'll ask and let you know. later plmczy
plmcrzy, Now that I see your situation I've somewhat changed my mind. First off for some reason I had the idea it was a Model A Ford, my mistake. Second, after looking at the pictures, I and I'm sure others have seen worse cases saved and put on the road. Although some important details can't be seen in the pictures it looks like that, with a LOT of work you might be able to make a driveable car out of it. Notice I used the words "a lot of work" because that is exactly what it will end up being. Its good to hear that this is not the first project you have tackled so if you decide to do it I'll be rooting for you all the way. Keep us informed (with pictures if possible) on the progress and I'm sure you can pull it off. Frank
I took those pics before we started getting the front end of the car out of the ground. In the 2nd pic the drivers side front wheel was imbedded in the trunk of the tree. Thanks for the encouragement Fab32. What you said about people fixing up worst cases is what prompted me to get this car. I've seen what some of my fellow Hambers have started out with and has given me the encouragement to try it. I realized from the start that it will take me alot of work till I can get it done. I have to sell my RR so I can get another car to drive till I get this project finished. later plmczy
Thats a damn nice car! You gotta be "plumb crazy" to tackle a project like this. I would remove fenders etc, as much as I could, before moving car. Appears they are in decent shape, small investment in time doing some disassembly would avoid an accident in lifting/moving that would create more work. Nice score!! Get a 60's fuelie blower engine (gotta keep it Mopar) put a 'chute on the back, paint it red, .....I can see it now!!!
I love the dual cowel vents on those, please don't fill them in. Drag it out, fix what's broke and make the rest. Good Luck. TZ
No plans on filling them in, as a matter of fact I have to find one. The one on the passenger side fell on the floor. I was planning on running a flat 6 in it to be different. Then after seeing (and hearing)Whites hemi coupe I've been jonesin for a hemi. a fellow that works where I do has a 331 I believe,still fastened to the frame that it came in. The******* and rad are still with it. I went to look at it, it sits in a barn covered with pigeon*****. He told me that it's been sittin there for about 15-20 years,supposedly been rebuilt, he thinks it's the smaller hemi,and wasn't sure if it was any good. I threw an offer of $100 at him( he told me before that he had no idea what it was worth when I asked him what he wanted for it) and he proceded to tell me I knew better than that and he didn't know if he wanted to part with it. I know where there are a couple more but they are going to be a real pain to get out. later plmczy
Ok, let's be realistic here......with the stock frame rusted so bad, it's in several pieces, you won't be using it anyway. My proposal is to get a few budds together to carry the pieces to the waiting truck. Anything bigger than a standard pickup will be a waste because I'd take a hacksaw or battery powered sawsall with me, a 4 lb hammer and a nice sharp chizel---about a foot long. I have one I use for working on salt-rusted trucks on my job. Ist, remove all the doors....Cut across the top and lift the cowl off the frame. If any mounting bolts give you trouble, chizel 'em off. Carry the cowl section through the trees to the pickup and go back to make another cut [hacksaw or sawsall] across the top about 3 feet back of the first one. Remove both pieces from the frame and carry 'em to the waiting truck. Load the doors up and grab any small parts, like the headlights and radiator, etc etc. Then, make a sketch of the stock frame, taking measurements of mounting points for the body, frame width all the way down it's length and if the engine has a stamped number pad cast on it? Grab it too. Use your battery powered drill to drill holes all around the edges of it and knock it out. It may be all you have to get a****le on the car later...[ask FlyinJ1] Now, drive away, knowing you left the least needed parts in the woods, so you don't have to pay to get rid of that junk......... You can weld the 3 pieces back together to make a 4 door sedan or leave out the middle section. Fabricate up your new frame from 2X3 or 2X4 box tubing... Here's my 31 Dodge with the center section left out. I photo-chopped the top but the shorten-job is real.
The Jalopy Journal
