Frnt Fenders '33 vs'34 ??

[Newc]

Bent a '33 front fender, and can I use a '34 replacement. Similar, but the same.??? Newc

[alchemy]

Very similar, but not the same.

[rockfla]

Slight difference in the flange of the fender where the grills mate up I believe? 33 I believe had a slight angle flat spot IF memory serves me?

[deuce lover]

'33's have a dimple on the lip that lines up with the dimple(approx in line with the radiator location) on the inner fender.The bulge on the '33 inner fender is different than a '34.The '34 fender for the most part work on a '33.

[Mike in Mass]

Thank you for the description. I have a couple of sets up in the ol man's barn and can Now tell the difference

[DavidG]

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Here are photos of the '33 front fender inner edge and inner front fender panel showing the 'dimples' that nest in one another when the two are attached together. There were several versions of the '33 inner front fender panel plus two versions of the front fenders (un-skirted and skirted) and the lower edge of all of the inner panels are marked different in appearance from the '34 version.

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by DavidG

Here are photos of the '33 front fender inner edge and inner front fender panel showing the 'dimples' that nest in one another when the two are attached together. There were several versions of the '33 inner front fender panel plus two versions of the front fenders (un-skirted and skirted) and the lower edge of all of the inner panels are marked different in appearance from the '34 version.

[Karl Wescott]

Major difference is the angle of the flange where it fits the grille, about a 10 degree difference. A 1933 grille will fit a 1934 fender with wedge shimming on the bolting flange to prevent distortion on tightening. A 1934 grill on a 1933 fender will show a 1/4" gap between the grille and fender (or major distortion).


The photos David graciously posted are of a later (or modified) 1933, "mid" 1933 will have a hole punched in the flat spot and "early" fenders will actually have a bracket that bolts into the hole.

[DavidG]

Karl,


With respect, it is only the very early '33 front fenders and aprons that have the holes in the centers of their dimples for the rods from the Mickey Mouse ears on the hand crank guide/front spring U-bolt retainer to the front fender support brackets.

[mercman from oz]

1933-1934 Ford Inner Fenders compared.
Notice the longer Dimples in the 1934 Inner Fenders - lower photo.

[Terry,OH]

mercman: The top photo of the inner fenders shows the pair with cut outs at the lower edge for clearance of the shocks. It does appear to have the recess for the dimple. I wonder if the dimple was carried over to 34 or were some of the 33 shocks mounted outside the frame?? The top pair have the smaller blister and the lower pair have the large blister.

[DavidG]

As Trevor indicates, the bottom pair are from a '34 and the lower edge of the bottom of the lower of the two is damaged (incomplete). The lower edge of the bottom of the top panel in the lower photo is as original. Note the difference in the placement of the semi-circular cutout on the lower edge of that panel compared to those in the upper photo relative to the two bolt holes on either side of the cut out. In the '34 panel, the cutout is centered between the two holes to clear the outside-mounted shock absorber. In the '33 panels, the cutouts are not centered and would not clear the top of an outside-mounted shock absorber. Earlier versions of the '33 panel do not have the cutout (#7 above). One possible reason for the addition of the off-center cutout could be to facilitate assembly of the inner fender panels as the shock arms would already be on the chassis when the inner were installed and the cutout does line up with the bulk of the '33 shock arm and not the shock shaft that the arm attaches to.

[Terry,OH]

The difference in the placement of the cutout from 33 to 34 is minor with the 33 pair having the cut out just slightly further toward the front bolt hole rather than centered.

Thank You for the further explanation.

[DavidG]

Minor, yes, but enough to require modification if using '34 front shocks on a '33 chassis.

[Terry,OH]

These NOS inner fenders were on the auction site. Interesting the cut out appears to be close to the front bolt hole.

[mercman from oz]

NOS 1934 Ford Inner Fenders - Nice. Thanks Terry for sharing.

[mercman from oz]

Do you know why Henry added this Dimple on the 1933 and 1934 Ford Inner Fenders?
I believe it was to aid in the removal of the Distributor.
When I need to remove the Distributor in my 1934 Ford, I don't have to remove the Fan Belt.
I simply undo the Bolts holding the Distributor and then keep the loose Distributor down low between the Heads and the Inner Fender towards the Cowl where there is room to lift it out.
For ease, I remove it from the Right Hand Side.
So, I believe that Henry added these Dimples for easy removal of the Distributor.
What do others think?

[DavidG]

Trevor,


If you mean the large indentations as opposed to the small dimples on the '33 panels on the surface that front fender is attached to, access could be one good reason and another would be the added overall strength that they give the entire panel.

[DavidG]

Terry,


Yes, just like the later '33 panels in #10.