[bomo]

I'M JUST GETTING READY TO BOLT MY GLASS BODY ONTO MY ORIG. 36 FORD FRAME. I NEED TO KNOW HOW TO MEASURE AND DRILL FOR THE BRAKE AND STEERING COLUMN. ALSO SHOULD MY GRILL AND RADIATOR BE INSTALLED FIRST SO I WILL KNOW WHERE EXACTLY THE BODY SITS SEEING HOW I CAN'T ADJUST WHERE THE RADIATOR SITS??

THANKS BOMO

 

[Jim Weeks]

I have built a 1930 Model A and you want to start with your given first, which is your radiator, and work back from there. Here is the way I did mine. Mount the radiator and shell in place, set the engine and transmission in place, then set your body down. I even set the hood in place and moved everything around until if fit like it was supposed to. Plan on being there for a while. Make any adjustments, check everything twice before welding or drilling holes and you will save yourself a lot of grief. Don't get in a hurry with it. Take your time.

 

[bomo]

MY ENGINE ,TRANNY,REAREND ARE ALL IN PLACE NOW, WHEN I BOUGHT THIS CAR IT WAS AN ORIGINAL 36 FORD 5 WINDOW COUPE WITH THE BODY BOLTED ON, ENGINE AND TRANNY ARE 350 350 WITH AN 8" FORD REAR. NOW I MAY BE ASSUMING TO MUCH BUT I'M HOPEING THAT ALL OF THAT IS IN THE RIGHT PLACE. I UNBOLTED THE BODY AND SOLD IT, HOWEVER I WASN'T TO SMART OR I WOULD HAVE TAKEN LOTS OF PICTURES AS I TOOK IT APART.

 

[Spin]

Hey Bomo: You absolutely must start at the radiator and work back. Be very careful and acturate with your fitting,as you move back,and always check left to right at each move,also. If the new body is a different style or model,it is extremely important to do this. Work slowly, don't be in a rush, check every move you make, twice, and in the end, the results will be well worth it,with a beautifully finished job,this is how a professional shop does it. As far as drilling the hole for the steering,you'll have to determine that from BOTH sides of the firewall,the floorpan and dashboard. The first is from the engine side,from the steering box straight back to the firewall,or floorpan, depending on the angle and the height then go inside and mount the column support bracket to the dash and determine the same,once again,measure and drill carefully. Good luck.
SPIN

 

[pops]

Hi from N.Z.
I have just done the same job as you with a origonal 36 chassis fitted with glass body after removing steel body
I first sat main body on first ( without drilling holes ) then with two people check fitting of front gaurds and apron as you will find the 36 coupe body has different gaurd lengths from left to right ( same with rear gaurds ), dummy up grill with front gaurds sitting in place as this holds the entire front end in place ( major problem if this is not checked as grill will end up off centre)
At this stage it is advisable to check radiator fitment but because the 36 grill is so tight around the radiator it is very hard to fit and remove without scratching something
The other thing to check is if your air con and alternator clear front gaurd edge this depends on your engine ( I ran 350 TPI and had issues in this area )
then check if the rear bumper mounts fit inside the body recess properly then after measuring rest of body fitments if it is a J.B.Donaldson body you may have to grind clearance ( lift floor level 2" ) for the origonal fuel tank
Steering coloumn fittment is a tricky one you just have to measure, measure, measure, and you should have it right first time

 

[bomo]

THANKS GUYS FOR YOUR HELP.

AND POPS YOUR RIGHT I'M SORRY TO SAY THAT IT IS A JB DONALDSON CO BODY

PLEASE READ MY REVIEW OF THE JB BODY!!!!!!!!!!

 

[pops]

Bomo

The other thing I didnt mention is that if you are fitting a s.b. Chev you may want to recess firewall another 2" to allow enough space for electric fan and space around dist. for servicing
That is what i had to do on my body