Frame straightening

Res731

Res731

Senior Member
My Tudor frame was off by about quarter inch on drivers side. I tried the heat method with success. The most difficult part was figuring out how hot to get the metal and where to heat. My first attempts were not heating enough and I had no movement. Once I applied more heat I started seeing results. I also had to try different locations and ended up heating behind the front motor mount and just behind the center rail to get the final adjustments.

It worked well for me in the end.

Rudy
 
Well good for you Rudy. With regard on how hot to heat the metal, like they always say, 'Experience is something you get after you need it!'. Now you have experience for next time. :D

.
 
I "think" many underestimate SHRINKING. Search Brents' previous posts about it. SHRINKING just puts the metal back to where it WAS!!
Bill Hot
 
I am convinced that the heat method is the way to go however, I've not been too successful with it. I've had marginal success with it but I'm afraid of heating the frame too much. Having been a welder, I know what heat is capable of as far as moving metal. How much heat did you use? Color? Did you heat the web of the frame or just the bottom flange? When I tried it I jacked the car up at a point just behind the point where I was applied the heat to get whatever benefits could be had from the weight of the engine. I know I'm doing something wrong but I'm not sure what.
Terry
 
Here are some pictures Brent posted of frame straightening.

Bob
 

Attachments

  • FrameStraighten1.jpg
    FrameStraighten1.jpg
    178.3 KB · Views: 170
  • FrameStraighten2.jpg
    FrameStraighten2.jpg
    73.7 KB · Views: 153
  • FrameStraighten3.jpg
    FrameStraighten3.jpg
    174.2 KB · Views: 153
Can you do this with a completely assembled vehicle, or do you need it down to the bare frame as noted in the pictures (post #5)
 
It is against the law to heat the frame to straighten it in California. The heat tends to weaken the frame and could allow it to crack.
 
FWIW:

One of the old former Restorer Magazines had an article on straightening Model A frames cold with a jack and chains. Bends caused by rough rides usually occur near rear motor mounts.

Bending this metal chassis cold appeared logical to me because the frame was bent from being pounded on rough roads when the metal was cold .......... saw no reason why it could not be bent back, (straightened) when the metal was cold.

Followed written details somewhat & straightened mine this way about 20 years ago.

Used old horse drawn trace chain and an old heavy 15 Ton railroad jack. In about 20 minutes of set up time, jacking, and checking alignment, this straightening operation was all over.

Just looked it up ..... if interested, this article is in the 1975 Volume 2, "How to Restore Your Model A", by Mr. Bob Rentz.
 
I heated the outside bend on the bottom. Not cherry red but hot enough that the primer was smoking and I got sizzle sound when applying water. I tried to heat to 400 deg at first when measured with infrared and that didn't do anything. I didn't measure the hotter version but I'm guessing more like 800 deg. I definitely did not have to get a color change.
 
As for picture it was pretty much how Brent showed above. Outside Bottom edge

On one try I actually got a larger sag during the heating and I thought I had screwed it up. But as I applied the cooling it shrunk the metal and reduced to a smaller gap.
 
Carl g. My frame is currently completely disassembled. I'm no sure I would want to try this with everything in place
 
image.jpg here is one image I also tried to heat a small inverted v in a couple places as I read some comments this also helps.
 
wrndln said:
It seems like EVERYTHING is against the law in California!
Rusty Nelson
Click to expand...

Mike V. Florida said:
If you are heating it to a point where it weakens the frame you heated it too much.
Click to expand...


There is an underlying problem in much of this. It often seems like 'common sense' is not all that common, --and sometimes the person that lacks wisdom AND common sense together can be dangerous. I kid you not, I answered the phone the other day with a guy asking me which way to turn the spark plugs to remove them. He is/was getting a Model-A ready for the Christmas parade, and was going to tune-up the engine and adjust the brakes. In all seriousness, how do you advise someone like this, --AND to what extent do you go? :eek:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top