'31 b40

K

Ken Opus #1

New member
I am starting in on my first restoration. Frame off. I’m having trouble figuring out how to take it apart. The floor or bed as I would call it is beyond repair but can’t get it off. I found and removed the major bolts to the frame and am pecking away. I’m going into detail not to get specific advice (although it would be welcome) but more to what books you can refer me to. I just bought the 9 Vol “How to restore your Model A” series and Les Andrews two vol manuals. What about "Model A Ford:Construction, Operation, Repair for the Restorer" by Victor Page.

I am in Vermont. Do you know any enthusiasts/restorers up here? VT, NH or north east NY or even western Maine.

Appreciate any help you can give.
Ken
 
'31 b40 so you are restoring a roadster?

First of all, be very leery of just ripping it apart 100%. Lots of folks get it to what is known as "basket case" and it becomes overwhelming.

But to address your quandary...

if you are trying to separate the body from the frame, there are lots of things holding it besides body bolts. Obviously, the steering column, gas lines, pop out, vacuum lines and other attached parts. But, also, the rear bumper brackets are attached to the body at the very rear cross support. Give us a clue as to what seems loose and what seems "stuck"
 
Also, you need to prevent sagging of the body when you take it off. That's even more critical with a roadster that has no roof to help hold things together; if your floor is gone, that's even less support. Before taking the body off the frame, some folks tack weld straps across the tops of the door openings and/or in an X pattern (as viewed from above the body) between the cowl and rear quarters.
 
Specific advice: Victor Page is interesting but obsolete. Buy the judging standards from MARC or MAFCA, a Model A Parts List, a copy of the original service bulletins, read everything, join a local club, and then start your restoration. Don't get in a hurry about anything. Go slowly for a more harmonious outcome.
 
Isn't Keith True up there in VT?

If you have never done a resto at all, we strongly advise getting some first hand help, which is what you are asking.

I will second the warning given above: given that a full resto is way harder to do than most ppl think, be aware of taking it 1000% apart and then sitting there and scratching your head, "gee what do I do now?"

You will need resources: welder, engine builder, sandblaster, body shop, painter, upholsterer (trim shop), etc etc. Surely you can do some of this yourself.
Label everything you remove and take LOTS of digital pix. Do a small amount at a time. Don't let it overwhelm you, because it can do that very easily. If you are retired, and this is your first, this is gonna take you at least a full year to finish.

Get the parts catalogues from the major suppliers: Bratton's, Snyder's, Bert's. Do a search here (this forum is LOADED with information) on your various topics, and first off search for information on certain suppliers that the majority of us would avoid. Many of the parts suppliers catalogues have blow-ups of the various parts such as starter, generator, etc. Take a big breath and go slowly and deliberately. Hopefully you know how to free up rusted fasteners without breaking them off; especially since you live in a northern state where everything rusts to hell.

Be aware that some manuals have errors. For example, the Andrews book tells you to torque the pan bolts to 20 ft-lbs (more correctly 20 lb-ft), but this should be 20 in-lbs, else you will destroy the pan flange and possibly shear off bolts

Good luck and post your questions! Get some help!
 
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Start a log, or journal. discard nothing, try to join a local club, make a couple of friends that can help you get started.
Take nothing apart until you have done your homework.
Hope you have a decent place to work out of the weather.
Bob
 
Can't emphasize enough to not get in over your head. You might want to restore the generator, then reinstall it or set it on the shelf, then do the starter, then the carb, etc. As mentioned, I've seen (and done it myself) where someone takes something all apart, then just feel totally overwhelmed and gives up.

Yep, look up Keith True, as he knows a lot about the cars and other mechanics.
 
tbirdtbird said:
...
Be aware that some manuals have errors. For example, the Andrews book tells you to torque the pan bolts to 20 ft-lbs (more correctly 20 lb-ft), but this should be 20 in-lbs, else you will destroy the pan flange and possibly shear off bolts

...
Click to expand...

Only took one time to learn my lesson on that one! :mad:
 
take pictures, pictures, pictures and then take more pictures, pictures, pictures take them at the highest res you can and store them in MORE then one location. I failed to do that last part and a crash took out a whole lot of pics.
 
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