The Ford Barn

supergnat · 03-20-2022, 07:34 PM

My 29 Phaeton had a really bad crossmember. I located and purchased a used one (Which is not easy these days) but it will not fit in the openings in the frame where it mounts. The frame openings appear to be 2 1/2 inches where the crossmsmber mounts. I suspect one or both of the mounting tabs which face the radiator are bent preventing it to fit into the frame opening. Does anyone have a dimensional drawing for the 29 crossmenber that they can post. Hopefully that will confirm my suspicion allowing me to get the crossmember repaired. Thanks, Supergnat

nkaminar · 03-20-2022, 07:49 PM

Check with Brent at https://www.model-a-ford.com/. He seems to have a lot of original drawings.

rotorwrench · 03-20-2022, 08:13 PM

The tabs should be straight forward. If bent down then that would be your problem. If the member is too large, it may be from an AA truck.

supergnat · 03-21-2022, 07:40 PM

Is there a measurement the would tell me it it was for a car or a truck?

rotorwrench · 03-22-2022, 10:53 AM

I can't find the dimensions on line but there are certainly different characteristics. This is a link to the AA Ford site. https://aafords.com/aa-chassis/aa-50...me-assemblies/

It has illustrations that show some of the differences. The AA frame is a good bit taller in the frame rail (6-inches) but it also tapers down at the front like the passenger type A frame.

supergnat · 03-22-2022, 12:17 PM

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Thank you Rotowrench This is great information. I think I can confirm whether I have an A or AA crossmenber when I get home later today. If it is actually for an A I will proceed with trying to bend the tabs to see if it will fit into the sides of the frame. Thanks again. Supergnat

supergnat · 03-28-2022, 07:20 PM

I checked with Brent but he did not have the crossmember print. He asked me to post a photo of what I received which was supposed to be a 1929 Model A crossmember. At this point I am convinced that it was misidentified. It is bigger than my old one was although it looks very similar. Maybe AA?. But it is different than is shown on the AA link rotowrench sent.

rotorwrench · 03-29-2022, 08:33 AM

Passenger car cross members should all fit even though it may not be correct. Holes may not line up perfectly but they should be close. If the replacement has some signs of welding then that could have an affect on fit. I would be curious how far off it is. A 1/4 inch is close. An inch is too far off. Steve Plucker has a complete history of changes on the A frames posted on his site. Most changes were subtle and overall dimensions remained pretty much the same.

The top rail rivet holes may be the give away. Trucks had two holes close together on each side with one that was farther away. The passenger car types had three on each side that are pretty much equally spaced.

supergnat · 03-29-2022, 12:49 PM

Yes i did see those differences on the link. The one I received only had one hole on each side plus the metal of the crossmember is thicker than my original. Very puzzling. See the attached side view photo. It also appears that it was bolted into the vehicle it came from.

rotorwrench · 03-30-2022, 03:59 PM

Those end tabs have always had two holes that would only have a head or bucktail on the inside. The late 30/31 AA truck typed have a reinforcement strap riveted in under the center to reduce cracking where the spring rides. The rivet heads can be seen on the top of the central area of the member on those. I don't have enough truck experience to know all the subtle differences in construction of the frames for them.

If I had to guess, I'd say it's an earlier AA truck member from 1928 or 29 model.

03-20-2022, 07:34 PM	#1
supergnat Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Palmyra, NJ Posts: 475	!929 Model A crossmember problem My 29 Phaeton had a really bad crossmember. I located and purchased a used one (Which is not easy these days) but it will not fit in the openings in the frame where it mounts. The frame openings appear to be 2 1/2 inches where the crossmsmber mounts. I suspect one or both of the mounting tabs which face the radiator are bent preventing it to fit into the frame opening. Does anyone have a dimensional drawing for the 29 crossmenber that they can post. Hopefully that will confirm my suspicion allowing me to get the crossmember repaired. Thanks, Supergnat

03-20-2022, 07:49 PM	#2
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,900	Re: !929 Model A crossmember problem Check with Brent at https://www.model-a-ford.com/. He seems to have a lot of original drawings. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

03-20-2022, 08:13 PM	#3
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,440	Re: !929 Model A crossmember problem The tabs should be straight forward. If bent down then that would be your problem. If the member is too large, it may be from an AA truck.

03-21-2022, 07:40 PM	#4
supergnat Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Palmyra, NJ Posts: 475	Re: !929 Model A crossmember problem Is there a measurement the would tell me it it was for a car or a truck?

03-22-2022, 10:53 AM	#5
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,440	Re: !929 Model A crossmember problem I can't find the dimensions on line but there are certainly different characteristics. This is a link to the AA Ford site. https://aafords.com/aa-chassis/aa-50...me-assemblies/ It has illustrations that show some of the differences. The AA frame is a good bit taller in the frame rail (6-inches) but it also tapers down at the front like the passenger type A frame.

03-22-2022, 12:17 PM	#6
supergnat Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Palmyra, NJ Posts: 475	Re: !929 Model A crossmember problem Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Thank you Rotowrench This is great information. I think I can confirm whether I have an A or AA crossmenber when I get home later today. If it is actually for an A I will proceed with trying to bend the tabs to see if it will fit into the sides of the frame. Thanks again. Supergnat

03-29-2022, 08:33 AM	#8
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,440	Re: !929 Model A crossmember problem Passenger car cross members should all fit even though it may not be correct. Holes may not line up perfectly but they should be close. If the replacement has some signs of welding then that could have an affect on fit. I would be curious how far off it is. A 1/4 inch is close. An inch is too far off. Steve Plucker has a complete history of changes on the A frames posted on his site. Most changes were subtle and overall dimensions remained pretty much the same. The top rail rivet holes may be the give away. Trucks had two holes close together on each side with one that was farther away. The passenger car types had three on each side that are pretty much equally spaced. Last edited by rotorwrench; 03-30-2022 at 03:55 PM.

03-30-2022, 03:59 PM	#10
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,440	Re: !929 Model A crossmember problem Those end tabs have always had two holes that would only have a head or bucktail on the inside. The late 30/31 AA truck typed have a reinforcement strap riveted in under the center to reduce cracking where the spring rides. The rivet heads can be seen on the top of the central area of the member on those. I don't have enough truck experience to know all the subtle differences in construction of the frames for them. If I had to guess, I'd say it's an earlier AA truck member from 1928 or 29 model.