[cruisecarl]

I'm starting on the roof of a 31 ford.The roof is all open except the wood. Any tips on where to get started?How to find the shape of the roof? Any help would be more than great!

[baddbob]

The roof is all open? Are you looking for a filler piece? I usually make two carboard templates of the contour needed, one widthways and one lengthwise, then visit the salvage yard and find the contour that fits your templates. Bob

[advanced design]

Originally Posted by cruisecarl

I'm starting on the roof of a 31 ford.The roof is all open except the wood. Any tips on where to get started?How to find the shape of the roof? Any help would be more than great!

Another option would be to make your roof section using an english wheel. Just helped Randy Ferguson with a roof insert for a '30 Model A sedan. Kept wheeling the panel until it had the correct contour to fit the crown of the roof and the wood. The panel was butt welded in and looks very nice.

[1931 steve]

Hi Carl. I have a 1931 Ford 5 window sedan that I will need a top for also, I have found that a roof from an Chevy astro van or a Dodge Caravan can fit with a little trimming. (I'm trying to find one without roof ribs) These are very plentiful around here (Michigan) and also very cheap. A few recycle yards said it would be free if I wanted to harvest it myself. Hope this helped and let me know if you find something better. Thanks Steve

[baddbob]

I did a roof fill on a 36 ford 2 door sedan and a 32 ford 2 door sedan and used a roof skin off of a mid 70's ford club cab pickup, the contour was very very close. Most people use roofs with ribs for an increase in strength but both of these cars needed a smooth roof. I wish I owned an english wheel. Someday!

[advanced design]

Baddbob,

Check out Metalmeet.com for metal shaping. You can search archives for information on building your own e-wheel.

[baddbob]

Thanks, One of these days I plan to build one. I've been collecting stuff for the project for awhile now. Bob

[Randy Ferguson]

Hi Guys,
I'll build a Project Journal in a couple days so you can see how we did the Sedan roof.

Randy Ferguson

[cruisecarl]

thanks for all the replys on the roof. every piece of info is helpful. this is my first project this old. i've done muscle cars and I'm a body man by trade;just starting my own shop. This car could make me or break me! so any info is greatly appreciated! thanks!