Running a 59AB in my Model A frame with a Tardel '32 K-Member and 3-speed toploader. I know I need anti chatter rods to prevent driveline movement when engaging the clutch. I have never seen how they exactly attach to the frame. Anybody got some pics or ideas on where to attach these? Pics of stock attachments of chatter rods welcome from later Fords as well. Looking for some ideas on how to fab these up as I am sure I will have to modify original rods. Thanks, Andy
The 1932 chatter rods attach to the cross member portion of the K-Member. I have seen other chatter rods that appear to attach to the frame rails. Maybe these are on later years. I would love to see some kind of photo or technical diagram of how those attach. They use an odd type of bolt with a square recess in them like a 3/8" socket drive. anybody know how those attach at that point on the rods? thanks, Andy
On a 37-40, they attach to the X member forward of the torque box. The frame is "dimpled"to accept the bolt end of rod. I can take some pix and post them later today. Look in the top, right corner of the bottom pic. The top pic shows both but they aree both partially cropped off.
^^^Thanks Joel. That's kind of what I figured the attachment points to be like. I will fab up some steel plate to weld at an angle onto the chatter rods to bolt to the legs of my K-member or bolt directly to the cross member portion depending upon pedal clearance and such. Andy
I have never used the chatter rods..and have built many old hot rods with flatheds...Do what you will ease your mind..but they really arent necessary.. Ford stopped using them in 1949
Ford went open drive in 49 also different motor mounts were used ... With the biscuit mounts and closed drive the motor will push and pull with the rear as it is all one unit... Chatter rods are a good idea
The stock '32 chatter rods don't attach to the legs of the K member, they attach to the main part of the K member that goes between the rails. There is a flange on the end of the chatter rods (see post #5 at http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=151846&highlight=32+chatter) that attaches with regular nuts and bolts. The special headed bolt with a countersink and a square drive was '33 and later. Charlie Stephens
As noted above, in 32 they had a flange on them and they attached directly to the main part of the K-Member - a few inches outside the transmission mount area on each side. On 33/34 cars, they attached to the x-members - via a specially formed protrusion on the top-lip of the x-member. They appear more as an after-thought in 33/34 - versus the 32 setup. I like the 32 setup the best, but either one works just fine. Depending on your ch***is, you can sometimes locate some later ones that are extra-long, then just cut them back to the length you need - and add whatever mounting method you want for the x-member side of things. B&S
The Jalopy Journal
