'32 Frame question

Hotrodvideo

Hotrodvideo

Senior Member
I just got my stock original '32 frame up on wheels with the flathead/trans in it and when you look at it from the back, the whole chassis is listing to the left by about 3/4 of an inch.

I don't have the torque tube & radius rods on the rear end yet so that might be
part of the problem. I can straighten out the frame by putting my weight on
the right rear frame rail.

My question is, is this a big enough problem that I should take it to a frame shop with a '32 frame jig or is this common and when the rear end is in and body is bolted on, will it correct itself?
 
Are the spring "U" bolts bolted up tight? The springs should keep the frame level. It sounds that you don't have them tight and it's just a balancing act. Put a little weight on this side and leans to this side. A little weight on the other side and it leans to that side. If the springs are bolted up tight, are they properly centered? A common problem is if the spring center bolt breaks and falls out, the spring will shift to one side or the other creating symptoms similar to what you describe.
 
Ok, I'll check those again, I bet they are loose! The square bolt head comes up thru the holes in the cross members so I know they are in there correctly.
 
Bare 32 frames have very little torsional rigidity. The body and fenders add all the stiffness. That is the reason the fenders and bodys always crack in the same places.
 
If you are looking at a chassis with body what you are seeing could be as simple as the wheels not sitting on level ground. Put low blocks and level then put the chassis on that and fine out if all you are seeing is normal chassis flex.

Most likely you are seeing some sort of off balance spring or shock, or loose mounting as noted above.

To check the frame for twist take all the drivetrain and chassis stuff off and put it on 3 jack stands, one at the middle of the front crossmember and one at each rear tip of the frame. Then, using a bubble level, level the frame at the rear. Then check for level across each pair of body bolts and across the front crossmember and frame tips.
 
(On a bare frame) I use nylon string, go from left front to right rear, and right front to left rear-crossing. Real TIGHT. One on top of the other, then the other way around. If the frame is twisted, you will find that there is a space between the strings telling how much... And yes, you need to put the frame on 3 stands, two on one end and one on the other... Karl
 
I tightened up the bolts holding the springs on and that straightened out the problem. I checked the frame for square when I first got it and it's very close to spec from the factory, only off by 1/16th of an inch.
 
And also...throwing the frame onto the suspension first thing puts you into the position of measureing apples and oranges together. Block up the frame levelish and see it it is straight without the suspension. Set it up on blocks that are same side to side, put a level across floor locations and shim until your blocks/supports are level with each other across the car, then see how frame is alone.
THEN install the rolling stock, centered and fully tight, and see if problems are introduced at that stage.
 
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