Model A Subframe and B pillar repair.

[Hitchhiker]

This is a copy and paste from my build thread, So there might be some text discrepancies. I just thought you guys might like to see what I am working on as it pertains to Model A substructure. Please look past the fact that my car is a hot rod. It's really rough and you guys wouldn't deem it restorable anyways.


Well, some of you know that I have been looking into repairing my b pillar and subframe. I wanted to repair my original parts as Bert's wanted $150 for a good set of b pillars and I couldn't see ruining a uncut original to fix mine. Here our some pictures of how I did it.

So I started bracing things up. I ran two long pieces the length of the body welded to the subframe crossmembers. I then ran x braces from them to the top pieces I had installed. The body feels really solid now. I think I might hide a X in the body behind the seat.

After I had everything where I wanted it I started to remove the rivets from the passenger side subframe. I like to grind the head off and drive them threw with a punch and hammer.

after I removed all the rivets, I cut right behind the b pillar. Basically everything came out really easy. Here it is removed.

after I cleaned up the little stray bits. the new rail slid right in.

 

[Hitchhiker]

I'm unsuccessfully teaching myself to make sheet metal things. But here is a tid bit......

Last time I left off I had slid the replacement rail into the passenger side. I used sheet metal screws threw the original rivet holes to hold it together. I'll completely weld it later once everything fits together. Scroll back a few pages if you need a picture.

I figured the next thing to do would be to fix and attach the passenger B pillar. It looks like this.

So I removed the triangle brace.

And I bought some 18g a few months back.

and made a pattern.

I then transferred it to the metal.

and cut it out with these( what a PITA, I need something better)

And started bending.

This was my first attempt..... Kinda embarrassed.

I did all this all with my vice, a piece of 1inch square tube. a hammer, and the back splash of my work bench. It at this point it needed some refinement.....

 

[Hitchhiker]

I kept on cutting, and things started looking like this.

first test fit

But it needs to look more like this.

I just kept shaping things.

next thing you know, I'd cut out the b pillar.

More cutting, grinding, and filing.

fitting a little better

First test fit with clamps

Welding soon.

 

[Hitchhiker]

So about the gaps and clamps, I ended up having trouble practice welding with the clamps and old metal. I tended to burn threw a lot. With new metal, the clamps seemed fine. I ended up welding with vise grips as clamps.

better gap

I ended up just tacking things together for now. I thought I might redo this piece again at at a later date. there is a line in the original that the quarter panel skin raps around so it is flush mounted with the rest of the pillar. I wasn't able to duplicate that at this time. But I feel good considering this is the first piece of metal I have ever shaped, even though it's amateur at best. On the bottom I used a sheet metal screw to hold things in place of a rivet. I plan on learning how to redo the stock rivets and want to be able to adjust things as I fit the doors and roof back on. ( Also I didn't chop the top, I'm just the one putting it back. If it was stock I would have left it. )

That's all for now.

 

[Pilotdave]

Matt - interesting story. Fun to see what you are accomplishing. Please keep it coming.

 

[Hitchhiker]

Matt - interesting story. Fun to see what you are accomplishing. Please keep it coming.

As soon as I have another update, I'll post it. I hope that this helps someone take on the task of fixing their car.

 

[Mike V. Florida]

Always great to see this stuff!!!

 

[Slappymcfinklestien]

Nice job ~ I've got the same thing going on with my 31 coupe ~ someone decided to channel it about 20 years ago and never really finished it. Is there a way you could post some pix of how the body connects to the subrails? I've got to re-rail the entire thing and the more pix I see the better chance I have to get it right. Here's a few pix of mine ~ she's chopped about 6"

 

[Chopped29Tudor]

I realize this thread is almost eleven years old, but my 29 tudor is in the same shape, and I have to do the same repair. Thank you for posting these pictures. It will be a big help to me.