28-29 Phaeton sub rails

28hiboy

Junior Member
I am in need of a set of full length sub rails for a 1928 Phaeton 35-A. Checked with Bratton's, but the person that I spoke with was unsure if the Tudor sub rails are correct. Can I use the Tudor sub rails? Thanks in advance. Randy
 
Unless your subrails are extremely bad, I would try to repair the originals. If you use repros, I don't think there are any holes for the body crossmembers, B pillar parts and other holes needed to properly align everything. Phaetons are hard enough to get properly aligned so the four doors fit OK. I have a 29 phaeton that had the subrails and body crossmembers in real bad condtion. I welded them up and dressed them down. It took me a long time to do it, but the holes are still there to make sure the doors, quarterpanels, etc have a decent chance to be placed correctly. Just my opinion.
Rusty Nelson
 
I just have the body panels. No sub rails. I wish that they were in bad shape, cause I would be doing just what you (wrndln) advised. I like your opinion, it is just not an option in this case. I also agree about the alignment issues. My roadster was a bear and still is in need of fine adjusting. There is an art to doing this and I am not an artist.
 
I am working on my second subframe at the moment.

I have found the best way (for me) and best datum point is to work back from the rear bonnet (hood) hold down chassis bracket.

It is exactly 4 inches from centre of bracket to rear edge of bonnet.

I am allowing 1/4 inch gap to raised edge of cowl swage /bonnet gap and working back from there and just getting door gaps correct.

This is putting the cowl swage line directly above the front edge of the bolt (not the nut) on the rear engine mount bolt.

The back of the body will finish up where it wants to be with all door gaps correct.

Probably totally wrong method as I am new to this but its working for me.
 
Yes, you can use Tudor rails however the 35-A sub-rails are not the same as Tudor. They are mainly different in two areas, with the most significant in the 'B' pillar post area.
 
I knew that it would not be 100%, but I have nothing. Reworking and adjusting is better then what I have. I am just happy that the sedan parts will be a great start. Thanks to all and happy Model A motoring! Randy
 
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