1932 Ford front crossmember question

562Roadster

Well-known member
Hi all. Im working on my ‘32 panel and noticed that this front crossmember does not have a hole for the spring bolt. I have never seen one like this before. Any reason why or am I ok to drill a hole it like it should be?
IMG_9343.jpg
 
Can't say why it is like that, but it doesn't look "right". What is also not right is the rad mounts seem unequally spaced from the frame rails. It would be interesting to see a view of the underside of the crossmember. There might be a square hole in the reinforcing plate on the underside of the crossmember.
 
Is it me or is it bolted in with a flathead slot machine bolt (picture right edge) ? That isn't "right". AND its doesn't look as IF its "flush" to the frame rails?
 


IF its foreign....AT least of German build....each individual frame rail, K member, cross member would be stamped "Made in Germany".....NOT sure if other foreign plants did the same, I have not seen such BUT, I am NO expert.
 

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IF its foreign....AT least of German build....each individual frame rail, K member, cross member would be stamped "Made in Germany".....NOT sure if other foreign plants did the same, I have not seen such BUT, I am NO expert.
591473


591474
 
Notice the rivets. I know there were several versions of the '32 front crossmember. I've had a stroke but somewhere "I think, could be wrong" I read about a late model riveted reinforced front cross member to prevent cracking. It had an extra reinforcement piece riveted on the bottom side of the crossmember. It would have the location hole for the spring location in the riveted-on piece so there wouldn't need a hole in the upper part of it. It is weird that the radiator mounting holes are not the same on each end of it. I also noticed the countersunk rivets have screw slots in them meaning they are bolts and not rivets. Those top bolts are really hard to get a straight shot to rivet them, so I have used countersunk bolts and filled the screwdriver slots in them but then I riveted the bottom ones just like this crossmember is. there are rivets in it to the bottom of the frame rails. So, I think this was a late model dealer replacement front crossmember.

I've had one of these front crossmembers with the extra piece riveted to it, but I don't remember if it had the spring location hole.
 
Those radiator mounting holes are in the same location side to side. The right side fender is on the frame rail giving the impression the holes are in different locations. I can see the top of the fender and the factory notch in the fender to clear the radiator bolt-spring assembly.
Ronnieroadster
 
Those radiator mounting holes are in the same location side to side. The right side fender is on the frame rail giving the impression the holes are in different locations. I can see the top of the fender and the factory notch in the fender to clear the radiator bolt-spring assembly.
Ronnieroadster

I didn't even notice the fender covering the frame on the one side. I should have seen that. I only have one functioning eye after Lasik surgery SCREWED my eye up and then they had to do a cornea transplant. Which also failed, now I can't see anything but a big blurry image out of it. I wish I had my prescription glasses back and they had there Lasik surgery shoved up their rearends. I can't hardly weld anymore with only one eye. Worn people that are considering Lasik surgery that they do screw up some of the surgeries.
 
I considered Lasik, but decided not to when they informed me of the risks, so I agree with you. However, I had had cataract surgery on both eyes, and it was the best thing I ever did.
 
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