34 frame boxing question

I have a question about boxing the frame

I have a 48 flathead that I will be installing in my 34

The guy I got it from said it had some mods done I heard it run on a engine stand but didn't drive it

My question is do you think I need to box the frame as the flattie should be putting out about 120-150 horse

Also I will be running An open drive rear

I don't know about the torque it will be putting out

Do i need to box the frame or should I be ok with it as is?
 
I think you will be fine without boxing. The 33-34 frame was a vast improvement over earlier frames. The X member adds strength. A few mods to your engine will not tax the frame. The open drive will require some mods.
 
The 48 frame is stronger than the early frames. When the car was jacked up on the early modles the doors went out of alignment but went back once on the ground. The X members also play part in the strength of the frame. I have an old fiber glass 34 hot rod that has sat for 10 or more years that I'm going over to sell, clean the SS fuel tank, replace rubber hoses, tires and whatever to make it driveable. this has a boxed frame and a large x menber. The X member looks like an after market product and maybe the frame is also I didn't look at it that good but it is all professional looking. The body is real heavy, straight glass with good alignment. The point is when this is jacked from any point the doors don't move and operate the same as on the ground. It wouldn't take to much to box or partialy box the frame. G.M.
 
I boxed the one in my avatar also boxed the original x frame. It had a 327 / 300 and a turbo 300 trany. You may want to use gussets in places to strengthen the frame. IMO. Jim.T.
 
The X member doubles the rails up front and rear already yes.
Does it need to be three layers thick? … I think not … maybe for a blown Hemi.
 
I have driven my 34 Phaeton over 150K miles with out boxing the frame .Has SBC and an 8" Ford rear end
 
I will go one further, no need to box the frame, ever seen the Ford ad that shows oposite corners of a 34 sedan up in the air? Why go to an open drive line when the original works better? You can get any ratio you want, go to heavier later model center section and the whole thing is engineered to work right. No need to butcher.
 
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