Repo Running Board Mounting Resolution

[loumo]

I think the correspondence I received from a fellow A Barner to resolve the problem I encountered in mounting repo running boards is worthy of being shared. I am certain others will probably have the same problem. I am taking the liberty of sending a copy of what transpired between me and Tom Moniz who I feel got to the bottom of my problem.

Thanks again Tom.

Lou M.


From: 68c@frontiernet.net
Subject: Fw: running boards
Date: October 4, 2010 3:04:44 PM EDT
To: loumo@verizon.net

Lou
I just went through this with mine
I used a big 2 in pipe and gently tweaked them to fit
just slip it over the end
first mount your fenders ,then get the exact measurement from the fender to the first brace,tweak it to fit,
then tweak the rear one to get your 28 1/8 in

no model As were unique
they all used the same running boards,and braces
if they got in a wreck from the front,the fenders would get pushed back and would push the running boards back,bending the brackets
tom moniz

----- Original Message ----- From: "Lou Morongell" <loumo@verizon.net>
To: "mot @ The Ford Barn" <68c@frontiernet.net>
Sent: Monday, October 04, 2010 11:49 AM
Subject: Re: running boards


Hi Tom,

Thanks for your interest.

I measured with a steel straight edge ruler and got exactly 28 inches on centers between the two upper-most rivets at the top where they are attached to the frame.

The spacing of the holes in the RB support brackets - where the RB's get attached with the 4 special bolts - all measure 27 and 3/4 inches between centers

Now what do I do?

I am starting to think that the RB's are not the problem, but something with the support brackets may need tweaking, although I can't understand how they could change they are so solidly attached to the frame.

Thanks,
Lou M.


On Oct 4, 2010, at 10:55 AM, mot @ The Ford Barn wrote:

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This is the message:

what is your measurement between the center rivet on the frame?
it should be the same as the spacing for the running boards
tom

 

[Mitch]

Lou,

I just finished straighening and fitting my running boards for my restoration project. First I've used jack stands and shims to level the frame exactly. Then I've clamped a 2" square tube on top of the frame above the running board brackets. Then using a bottle jack, these had to be brought up or down as much as 1/2" and moved forward or backwards about the same. After getting them level and in the correct positions, they measure the magic dimension of 28" even. The distance in my original running boards is also 28" even. (The reinforcing brackets are 28-1/8" apart, but the holes are punched out at 28").

Mitch

 

[Kevin in NJ]

Sorry I have not chimed in earlier, but I found the brackets are kind of self aligning.

The tops of the brackets are level with the top of the frame. So just extend a straight edge off the top. The top of the front bracket is something like 8 1/2" from the top of the frame.

The brackets are in line with each other. So a real long straight edge on the bolt holes.

Now for bending them.

Hold the frame down and you can do some moving. I slip a larger pipe section over the bracket and slide in a long stiff bar.

Now if you set the front brackets parallel with the top of the frame at the 8 1/2" point. Then set the bolt holes in line from side to side. You now should have the front brackets in the correct position. Just get the rears to match the bolt spacing of the bracket. They to should be level with the top of the frame and in line from side to side also.

I think that is all you need to know. It was a while so I think there is some details I am missing. The basic concepts are there.