What should I do with this old frame?

This is the frame that my '52 Ford Customline 2 door coupe came with. As you can see the previous owner (or any owner before me) chopped out part of the main crossmember in the front...

What would be a good remedy for this? Just fill it in with some steel plate, or is it not worth the hassle?

I'm sure the guy who did this had a "great" reason to do it I hope he was running a big f-in motor to have enough reason to chop out the front subframe like that... What does that motor mount look like it might be there for?

Anyways, I'm I screwed from the start by attemping to use this as a starting point, or is it not that big of a deal?

 

Unless the frame's bent, get out the welder. If the frame's bent, then have it put on the rack, straightened, & then weld it.

"Git goin' boy!"

 

Safari-wagon is right. Jig it up, clean it up, weld in some plate and run it!
Actually, the cut out might prove to be some advantage later for clearence or maintenence. Most any engine you will be comfortable with on the street won't move the frame around that much, provided you plate the hole shut first. Mike

 

I have the whole front part of that frame with the crossmember still in tact. PM me if you are interested. I am stubbing the orginial frame becasue I can't fit a BB in there with the crossmember.

 

We put a 429 Caddy in my buddy's 53. Had to do the same thing, but we boxed and gusseted the cut out. Been romped on for almost 10 years and still fine. Plate it up and you won't have a problem.

 

looks like the prior owner cut the frame for a front sump oil pan. i had to do this on a race car i built long ago. i would just measure (jig) and weld in a plate or a section from another crross member and proceed.

 

Heck, considering the 52-56 Ford cars have a front crossmember rot problem in many cases yours looks good! Check the frame for square and twist and if good, weld in a nice patch and you're in business. This is small stuff compared to repairong or replacing a rotten one.

 

No big deal. Just make a nice repair as mentioned.
The Wizzard

 

Good deal. I'm no welder though, and I don't know where to get any steel plate to weld in.

Though shorty, if you have that same piece that you're willing to part with, I'll probably take it off your hands.