1929 Cowl Lacing

[Ted]

It seems strange to me that the original cowl lacing on the 28-29 A was held down with a wire on the top side. Can someone explain to me the proper way to route the wire on the ends of the gas tank lip? I know about the little hook hold down in the center, I just don't have good clear pictures of the ends where the wire goes through the holes & wrap around. Thanks.

 

[30cabriolet]

There are two types of lacing. The original has the wire inside of it and is still available. I know Mikes has the original style for sale. The end of the wire goes into the hole at the bottom, it then loops around and under the bottom. You then pass the wire back into the same hole and hook it in to attach it.

 

[Tom Wesenberg]

This question gets asked often enough that a good sketch should be included in the parts books of the Model A parts sellers and in the Judging Standards.

As shown the lacing is in two pieces with about an inch gap in the center. The open end of the center hook faces forward on every original I've seen. The wire on the end goes into the hole, pull it around the notch in the bottom of the cowl lip, then up and through the hole again, then down and cut the wire so it doesn't go beyond the lip. Pull the wire tight when doing the second end and looping it. The center hook gets tightened last.

I'm sure Bert's, Bratton's, and Snyder's sells the correct lacing and wire, but I've seen one or two cars with too thin a wire. I don't know where the owner bought that kit though.

 

[Bill Goddard]

Will send good pictures later this morning. Mine is in good position to take pics that should answer your question. Bill G



P.S. My pictures were not very instructive so I made up this sketch. Wire measures .0799"dia and I am sure it is the original wire. Hope this helps.

 

[Tom Wesenberg]

Maybe these picture of the original cowl lace on my 9-27-28 will help. I need to retract my earlier statement about the open end of the hook facing forward, because I see mine faces the rear and to the best of my knowledge it has never been off.

 

[wrndln]

Tom,
I had a question a few days ago about hood retainers (the part that fastens to the gas tank). I noticed in your two post, one had the reinforced type and one had the non reinforced type. The reinforced was on the 9/17/28 car (fairly late 28). What date is the car with the bracket without the reinforcing? I think the results of the my earlier post was that the bracket with the reinforced bridges was for early 28's (how early is not known) and the bracket without the reinforcing bridges was for late 28 and 29 A's. Maybe your cars would confirm or disprove the early/late usage for the brackets.
Thanks
Rusty Nelson

 

[Ted]

Tom,
Thanks a lot for those pictures. They sure explain things well. I was noticing the bolts that hold the gas tank to the cowl were body color. Do you think this is because of a repaint at one time? I was under the impression they were cad plated. Thanks a lot.

 

[Marco Tahtaras]

Tom,
Thanks a lot for those pictures. They sure explain things well. I was noticing the bolts that hold the gas tank to the cowl were body color. Do you think this is because of a repaint at one time? I was under the impression they were cad plated. Thanks a lot.

The body was fully assembled and then painted. Consequently, all fasteners relating to the construction of the body were painted regardless of the underlying finish. That is also why the the front body block was painted on '28-29 type bodies. That block required installation in the cowl prior to the cowl assembly being attached to the remainder of the body.

 

[Tom Wesenberg]

Tom,
I had a question a few days ago about hood retainers (the part that fastens to the gas tank). I noticed in your two post, one had the reinforced type and one had the non reinforced type. The reinforced was on the 9/17/28 car (fairly late 28). What date is the car with the bracket without the reinforcing? I think the results of the my earlier post was that the bracket with the reinforced bridges was for early 28's (how early is not known) and the bracket without the reinforcing bridges was for late 28 and 29 A's. Maybe your cars would confirm or disprove the early/late usage for the brackets.
Thanks
Rusty Nelson

All 3 of the second group of pictures are of my 9-27-28. You can see the original gunmetal blue paint on the firewall, but the first picture shows the black paint from when it was repainted in the 50's. They shot everything black except under the seats and the firewall.

I wonder how late the early style hood rod bracket was used?