Headlight bar is it for a 28/29 or 30/31

[29 model-a]

I have a 29 truck that had 30 fenders and fender brackets on it, but I put 29 fenders on it with the right brackets. Went to put the headlight bar on and it is to long, Im guessing it is for a 30 also. Is the 29 shorter? Thanks Pete

[85930tudor]

yes there is a differance between the 28 29 and 30 31

[Gary WA]

28/29 straight,30/31 arched

[29 model-a]

The one I have is straight but it is about 2" to long?

[Ed Saniewski]

29, I just put mine on Tuesday night and had to push down slightly on the fender to get the holes to line up. But, now I am starting to think I have a 30-31 bar because it has an arch to it. Gary, would a later bar fit on a 29 truck?

[snowbird06]

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30-31 bar is arched...28-29 is straight....

[CarlG]

Does anyone have pictures of the 2 side by side?

And when you say "arched", is that horizontal or vertical?

I've been told that the headlight bar on my 31PU is actually a 29, but I'd like to confirm that before I start tearing things apart.

[mot]

here is a picture of the two bars
the 30-31 is the upper one ,it has a gentle arch,the 28-29 one is sraight ,with curved ends
tom

[CarlG]

Based on these pictures, I definitely have the wrong headlight bar on my 31!

[mot]

Im sorry
I didnt read your whole question
the bars are the same length
Here is a photo of 4 different bars comparing the length 1928,1929,mid 1930 and 1931
they are all the same the measurement at the narrowest part at the bottom is approx 38 inches
before you mount the fenders ,you must align the fender brackets to accept the headlamp bar,forcing it to fit will cause stress problems down the road
tom

[29 model-a]

Thanks for the info Mot.

[youngster]

When I install a headlight bar, I loosen the fender brace til I can get the bolts in the headlight bar. Then tighten them half way on the first pass and completely on the second pass. It's not uncommon to find the fender bracket mis-shappen especially if they came from another car.

Ron

[Ed Saniewski]

Oh great, now I will have to start looking for a 29 headlight bar.

[Jerry Parr WI]

Other variations you should be aware of while searching. The 32 commercial bar is similar to 30-31 but has oval mounting holes and the 33-34 commercial bar also similar has square mounting holes but bows away from the radiator.

[mot]

heres a picture of the 33-34 commercial bar on the left compared to the model A bar
tom

[Roadster62]

I wonder if you have an early 1930 with a "1929" cab? Is the gas cap threaded or bayonette style?

Originally Posted by 29 model-a

I have a 29 truck that had 30 fenders and fender brackets on it, but I put 29 fenders on it with the right brackets. Went to put the headlight bar on and it is to long, Im guessing it is for a 30 also. Is the 29 shorter? Thanks Pete

[Glenn C.]

I find this thread on the headlight bar very interesting, as I am starting to wonder if there is a variation at all in the 28/29 headlight bars, and what it is?
The reason for this statement is that, I have been having a problem trying to slide a stone gaurd between my rad shell and the headlight bar, due to not enough clearance.
Could there possibly be a difference between the 28/29 that I have not picked up on yet?

[1931 flamingo]

Glenn C.: How does your hood fit? There may be some "wiggle" room by moving radiator back a little, and/or loosening h/light bar and "rotating" forward a bit. How much room do you need?
Paul in CT

[CarlG]

Originally Posted by Glenn C.

I find this thread on the headlight bar very interesting ... I have been having a problem trying to slide a stone gaurd between my rad shell and the headlight bar, due to not enough clearance.
...

Same problem here. I already know that the headlight bar on my 31PU is incorrect, it's truly a 28-29. But I'm really confused now in exactly what I need to gain the extra clearance. Does the 30-31 bow away from the radiator to provide that extra clearance? Or is it flat like the 28-29 that I already have.

[mot]

Since Ford did not make a stone guard there was no reason to make enough clearance for one
Ive heard that the Town Car had a "special" one that did bow out
,but looking in the parts book there are only two listed A-13114 (AR) and A-13114 B
Need some proof on the town cars bar
the only difference between the 28 and 29 bar was that some 28s had Ford script embossed one or more times on it
in mid 30 there was a stamped bar that was "U" shaped,while the early thirty and later 30 and all 31 had the round tube
so there were at least 4 distinct bars,that I know of
here is a Script bar pictured
tom

[Glenn C.]

The hood on my 28 fits very well, with about 1/8" clearance, both front and back. Wife does not appreciate bad gaps on hood, or doors for that matter. Ha! Headlight bar has been a pain to install in the past, even without the stone gaurd. I did pick up on the suggestion of loosening off the fender brackets first, and will definently do that in the future. I just thought there just might have been a 28/29 straight headlight bar made, that curved forward, that a person could just swap out. Darn

[29 model-a]

The gas cap is threaded, It is a 29 have title.

[cfbcovers]

I ran into same problem today replacing mine. Got a new one and saw that person before me took off rubber bumpers on stone guard and now have the room. I just shaved mine to make room so i could have a little bit of bumpers