I have seen some discussion that K frame rot is common in 55 and 56 fords. I have a 55 I am parting out. What am I looking for to see if it has a good one? Any tips on cutting it out for reuse such as where to cut? Thanks.
the front cross member where the lower control arms atach to it. is it rotted/rusted through. or is it solid. if your parting the car out i would just cut the frame with a sawzaw
If anybody needs a front crossmember I would highly recomend Koweta Custom Located in Coweta Ok. And talk to Frankie The # is 918-486-4124. I bought mine from them for my 54 Merc and it was a great item and fit like a glove. The crossmembers are different between years and between Mercs and Fords. I sent him my old merc one and he now has a pattern for the Mercury. If the one you have is good then do just like old lady's mad said and cut off the frame where it mounts, As they are welded then you can just take a grinder and grind off the welds later. Also check to make sure it's not rotted out from the inside out and it doesn't show on the outside. Ken
my crossmember has a big hole in it and the factory welds didnt hold up. i've rewelded the seams but have yet to put a patch on the crossmember..on the same topic i had to jack up my parts car and the crossmember snapped. it is the weakest part of these mid 50's fords.
If you need to replace the front crossmember try Goodell Fabrications, Coweta, OK. Their items fit like a glove. Priced reasonably as well. Regards Rick
I'm not sure if they are the same or not. The bussiness card they sent to me was Koweta Custom Cars. I ordered it thu Ebay about 3 years ago. The Address On the bussiness card is 11986 S. 267th E. Ave Coweta Ok. 74429. It also says they Buy, Sell,Trade, Cars and Parts. Mustang-Cobra-Street Rods-Model 'A'-Cl***ics-30s thru 60s Fords. At the time I ordered mine they did not have a 54 Merc crossmember and they sent me one to try for a 54 Ford and they were different. So I sent it back to them with my old one which like most all of the Fords and Mercs of of that era are rotted out from the inside out. ( BE SURE TO CHECK THEM OUT VERY CLOSELY!! AS THE LOWER 'A' FRAMES MOUNT TO IT.) So they now have a template for the 54 Mercs. They are also different from year to year. As the bolt hole for the lower A-frame is lower or higher depending on the year. And the mounting for the radiator and front sheetmetal is different. Their Number is Home 918-488-4124 or Cell is 918-636-7071 Frankie W. Bean. He was really great to work with and I would highly reccomend them. If I remember right it was about 300.00 and it fit perfectly. Go to my album and you can check it out under 1954 Mercury. Ken