Sheet metal sources suggestions

K

KJ714

Member
Firewalls, floor pans, patch panels, all that stuff. I haven't bought anything in a while, I see Howell's is still around, selection seems more limited than in the past though. Does anyone have any other good sources?

Thx!
 
Don’t go direct to Howell, you’ll be sorry
Tom Bays stuff is very average
Bradley floor pans are good….if you can get them to respond!!
It’s a jungle out there!!! Supply chain still sucks
 
Oldbluoval said:
Bradley floor pans are good….if you can get them to respond!!
It’s a jungle out there!!! Supply chain still sucks
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Bradley sometimes responds?

As said above, Don't buy directly from Howells. The safest way to deal with them is to buy from one of their stocking dealers or through eBay. If they actually have it in stock they will usually have a eBay listing for it
 
Everything I have ever bought from Howell's sheetmetal was junk, and did not fit, not even close. I would not waste my money there. I would try Snyders and Brattons's for model A stuff. Even the overpriced stuff at Brookville did not fit very well.
 
Was there ever a time or a fabricator that DID make sheetmetal that fit? Or did it always take some tweaking for the perfect fit? Just curious.
 
34fordy, I don't mind "tweaking" sheetmetal parts a little to make them fit, but when they are not even close enough to do that, or the compound curves are not even there, they end up in a corner. can't send them back, as it cost more than the parts are worth. freight to and from Alaska has always been high, but now it is ridiculous .
 
final answer- if youre unhappy, make them yourself.

easy answer, buy original parts from places like Berts and on the swap here. dont complain about pricing........
 
I’ve found united pacific stuff very good. But very limited as to body styles/years.
Ronn….I’ve never inquired of Steve but does Bert’s have V8 parts?? And, most are not blessed with a sheet metal shop to make panels themselves.

Alaska Jim….in Model A, Ahooga (long gone) made parts that required little modification to fit. ��
 
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FortyNiner said:
Apparently we don't all need to know.
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I have several different early Fords 35 - 40, all could use a little nip and tuck here and there. So the question isn't so much car specific or part specific. I'm looking more for good sources in general. I guess the most urgent need right now is a small block firewall for a 35 5 window, so I'm going to call around to some of these suggested and see what's out there.
 
I have some 1/2 and full length Bradley pans for ‘39/‘40’s. These belong to an elderly friend of mine who no longer restores cars. They have been in storage for years and I don’t think are available.
 
Give Absolute Sheet Metal in Chino Valley AZ. a call 928-420-1254 Excellent quality replacement and hot rod sheet metal.
 
I have never had a problem with Howell's. One time the FedEx guy left a pair of running boards on the ground in front of my garage. Naturally when I backed out I ran over them. I tried to get fedex to cover it but they put it on Howell's.Howell's sent me a new pair. I bought wheel wells from them. they were great.
 
It seems like the quality and fitment of Howell's parts can really vary. It'd be nice if they indicated which are ones they produce and for which they are merely resellers. That might give some insight into whether a part is likely to fit or only be fit for a scrap bin.
 
I will admit that the sheetmetal I bought from Howells, was over 10 years ago. the parts are still over in the junk pile waiting to be made into some kind of patch panel for who knows what. maybe the quality has improved since then
 
Krylon32 & 49'er
I'm trying to wrap my head around complaining about a part made for a car for something for which it was not originally designed I.E. "SBC in a 35"......Think about that for a minute!!!! Especially engine placement and having to modify everything involved to get it into the frame.....The likely hood of every single person getting the engine in the same exact spot in the frame....THEN......making a part for that purpose........Stepping on a roach on the kitchen floor when you turn the light on at night when you are drunk comes to mind!!! Lol
 
I gave up on reproduction sheet metal that didn't require hours and hours and hours of reworking. Instead I found a very good fabricator locally that will just make it or repair it for you correctly.
 
KJ714 said:
I have several different early Fords 35 - 40, all could use a little nip and tuck here and there. So the question isn't so much car specific or part specific. I'm looking more for good sources in general. I guess the most urgent need right now is a small block firewall for a 35 5 window, so I'm going to call around to some of these suggested and see what's out there.
Click to expand...

Go to Direct Sheetmetal for a firewall for a SBC.
 
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