Nailing top wood

[Portland/JohnR]

Hey gentlemen and the rest of you! https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif I am restoring a 29 Tudor and have a couple questions about nailing. From what I have read, it is a good idea to pre-drill? Also I have anywhere from a 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch between the body metal and the wood. Is that normal? I assume one would just put the nail in so it is tight to the metal and not try to pull the metal up tight to the wood. Thanks Guys!

 

[Init1]

You can use either the spiral nails or screws. Pre-drill both. The wood is very hard and tough to get started.
Try to keep the metal as flat as possible to avoid dimples and creases. Take your time.
It's slow going.

 

[Bubsyouruncle]

Do you suppose that Ford pre-drilled for the nails in production?

 

[RalphM]

Probably not, but he had very skilled carpenters, I'm sure. ��
I predrilled mine, made the job much easier. I do believe the metal is supposed to be touching the wood.

 

[TJ]

Use wood shims to take up the slack.