'40 Deluxe Radiator Vents?
 

I have a '40 Deluxe with the early radiator side vents. Both sides are rusted at the bottom and have found donor vents with good bottoms. Planning on welding the good bottoms onto the good uppers. Is it a better method to cut the uppers and lowers at the same line near the bottom and butt weld, or is there another way leaving tabs made from the hidden metal for a lap weld on the side? The early sides are not reproduced and I prefer the most correct parts I can find. Of corse I'm finding many more late pieces in fine condition. With as many distressed pieces as I find, surely others have repaired them. Thanks: Fred A

Re: '40 Deluxe Radiator Vents?
 

I would think that the best way would be to bolt the good top pieces in place on the car
and then cut and tack weld the replacement bottom pieces (in position)and weld in place as much as possible. Then remove the entire assembly and finish weld on both sides. Lap welds collect moisture.

It would nice if you cut and weld the seam right behind the stainless vent trim pieces so that it would be hidden.

Re: '40 Deluxe Radiator Vents?
 

private message sent to ya Fred

Re: '40 Deluxe Radiator Vents?
 

I believe there is 1 more louver on the common later sides and that is why the space between the louvers for the trim is wider on the early version. So some dimensions might be off, be careful.

Re: '40 Deluxe Radiator Vents?
 

To follow up on deuce roadster's info. here's an interesting thread about the early and late 40 Ford DeLuxe grille side vent panels he mentioned.
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...estion.471930/

Re: '40 Deluxe Radiator Vents?
 

I realize there's a certain satisfaction in saving a part but have you thought about placing an ad in the wanted section for a matched pair of side vents. There has to some extras out there somewhere. Might make your life easier?

Re: '40 Deluxe Radiator Vents?
 

Krylon makes a good point. here's a person with both an early and late pair for sale.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...40+ford+grille

Re: '40 Deluxe Radiator Vents?
 

I'd also offered Fred a super nice pair of early louvers but have not received any response.

Re: '40 Deluxe Radiator Vents?
 

I guess my ability to count past 10 is in question!! Having never had an early one in my hands, I only went by a quick count of the top group of louvers I saw at a car show. So it is 2 per side and the distribution is different. Glad to have the true story. Thanks Mike and whoever posted the Jalopy Journal info.

Reasons For Doubt?
 

Looking at the dates on 19Fordy's link, I've decided to do a bit of cross checking. Do I even need early vents? Some of these cars are not what they seem. My indications are: The glass date, 11/39; ash reciever, push up; number on frame, 5444...; no number on firewall. The number? Could it be a little high for the grill feature? Too often do I find myself getting ahead of the facts. Anything left to check? About dropping out for a few days, it is bad form to post a question and not respond to the help received. Sorry about that. Thanks: Fred A

Re: '40 Deluxe Radiator Vents?
 

The glass in my 40 was dated a late 1939 also. Shows that left over glass was still being used. Car also has push in and up ash trays. Frame # is 18-5415XXX* Looks like our cars were made at about same time. Don't know when the cut off point was for the early grille vent panels. It would be interesting to know when all the early vents were used up and the new ones installed.

Here's the 1940 01A model serial number sequence range from VanPelt site
18-5210,701 to 18-5896,294

Do you know the history of your car. It's possible parts could have been changed around after an accident repair. If you know for sure that your dashboard is the OEM dash that came with your car then i would most likely think it's an early production car because of the ashtray configuration. "Kube" may know of other tell tale nuances that distinguish early from late production as he has been restoring 40's for many, many years.

Here's more helpful discussion.
https://www.earlyfordv8.org/forum/vi...m=14&topic=934
and
https://fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=50874

Re: '40 Deluxe Radiator Vents?
 

I put a lot of faith in the dashboard being original from the welting which was seldom replaced correctly by any trimmer. I have good late vents but was amused by the early production features and leapt to an assumption which is perilous. Fred A

Re: '40 Deluxe Radiator Vents?
 

Just curious. What was the color of your original welting at top of dashboard? It does fade over time.

Re: '40 Deluxe Radiator Vents?
 

I went out to look to see if any part of the welting remained. Not! Other than dirtly and the starboard side a bit faded from excess sun on the south side of a carport. It all was removed years ago when I was transferred the winshield garnishes to another '40 that I had for sale. This current car has been the parts car for three plus other '40s that I sold to recoup my initial investment for the collection. Fred A