cowl lacing install question 29 Ford

R

RPMREX

Member
Hi all,
I am restoring a '29 Ford two door sedan and am at the point of doing the rad shell and cowl lacing. There is a wire with the kit. What is that for. I did not receive any instructions with the kit. Any tips or info for installing the rad and or cowl lacing would be much appreciated! Pictures are wonderful also.
Thanks guys,
Rex
 
The wire is used for the cowl lacing over the gas tank. It is inserted inside the long piece in the cowl lacing kit. The ends are a little tricky to do. Tom Wesenberg posted a couple of good pictures of his original tudor sedans cowl lacing ends. You should have a small hook/nut that tightens the wire/lacing over the gas tank. The short 2 cowl lacing pieces are used on each side of the cowl. If I remember correctly, the heads of the rivets go inside and the ends are bent over on the outside. The radiator lacing is the opposite, the heads on the outside. If you need some more info, send me a PM.
Rusty Nelson
 
The wire is used to hold the cowl lacing on- it is fastened on each side by looping it through the small hole at each end of cowl lacing holder and the lacing is under the wire then in the center there is a hook that is over the wire and adjusted to pull it tight. Maybe someone can post a pic of this arrangement. The rad shell lacing is held on by split rivets that should have come with the lacing kit. The lacing on the lower sides of cowl are held with rivets also.]
 
Thanks for the replys,
What is the trick to securing the split rivets? Is there a special tool that makes it easy?

Thanks again.
 
RPMREX,
You ask if there is a special tool to set the split rivets. If you want the rivets installed like they were originally, the two split parts are slightly curved when set. I bought a tool from a fellow that sells a setting tool for model T brake or clutch bands of some type. I think the tool was about $25 or $30. If you would like to get the fellows name and address, I think I can find it if I look around. If you just want to set them and don't care if they look original, you can just use a round nail on the split side to get the two halves to spade the legs out with some pliers and then squeeze the rivet with the pliers.
Rusty Nelson
 
Thanks Rusty,
I think I am going to take one of my big mouth C type Vice grips and modify one side to spread and bend over the two legs in a curve like the originals. The other side will remain flat to hold the rivit.
I'll post a pic if it works out.

Gunmetal Blue,,,a picture of the rivets would be kool and a picture of the tool would be killer.

Thanks all,
Rex
 
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Here's 3 pictures of an original to show how the ends are wrapped. I've seen some repro's with a wire that was much thinner than the original wire. I don't know who sold the thin wire, but all the lacing kits I've purchased have had the correct size wire. I've also seen some people put the wire over the lacing, rather than the correct way, which is through the center of the lacing.

My first picture isn't very good, but was meant to show the lacing has about 1/4" gap on each side of the center hook.
 
Here are some pics. Sorry a little bet rough that is original. The first pics doesn't have the J bolt and nut that ties the wire. I will post tomorrow the lace on radiator shell.
 

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My car had the riveted pieces going all the way over the top of the top. Therefore there were two pieces at the top of the cowl. Before I cut them off I would like to know if they serve any purpose. In other words, did people do this to cut down on rattles, make a tighter fit or some other reason. My car isnt completely original so if its a good idea I will glue it back down.
Thanks,
 
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