The Ford Barn

marcel kristoff · 07-10-2017, 04:33 PM

The front engine cross member on my 1928 AA has significant damage to the motor mount hole area. It looks to be torched or broken, enlarging the hole. The brass bushing goes right thru, without touching.I have available to me a new 1930 cross member. Other than an extra hole for the radiator overflow tube, are these the same? The existing one is repairable by welding up the enlarged hole and redrilling the proper size hole for the motor mount. Can I just swap out the cross members?

2manycars · 07-10-2017, 04:45 PM

I think welding the hole and re drilling would be my choice. Drilling out all those rivets and replacing them properly would be a lot more work. Your 28 crossmember must have had the integral mounts cut off, and the newer mount installed, if you have a hole for the mount.

Al 29Tudor · 07-10-2017, 04:49 PM

I can't tell you if the 1928 AA is the same as an 1930 A cross member.
If the 1928 AA radiator is the low profile, like the car, and the 1930 is the high profile it will not fit. I think the radiator bosses are a different height and the rivet holes don't line up.
Changing the cross member is a bear and I would avoid it if you can. Matching the rivet holes and bucking the rivets hot is a challenge. You will need an offset bucking bar and plenty of room to swing a big hammer.
I can't imagine ever doing another one.
Al

Big hammer · 07-10-2017, 05:16 PM

Sounds like someone modified it to the later floating engine mount. Check the ford service manual. Clean up the hole and have a new bushing made to fit your cross member!

Gunmetal blue2 · 07-10-2017, 06:52 PM

I can tell you that 28 29 are the same. But 30 31 are the same but different than 28 29. If you want to get technical model a and aa are different looking cross members. Weld it and drill it out.

modela mike · 07-10-2017, 07:40 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I have successfully welded in patch and redrilled the hole and also "V" out and welded up small cracks in the front crossmember - someone had installed an incorrect front mount causing undo pressure in this area. I did the repair about 2 years ago and it is holding up well.

07-10-2017, 04:33 PM	#1
marcel kristoff Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: fort st. john, B.C. Posts: 9	front crossmember The front engine cross member on my 1928 AA has significant damage to the motor mount hole area. It looks to be torched or broken, enlarging the hole. The brass bushing goes right thru, without touching.I have available to me a new 1930 cross member. Other than an extra hole for the radiator overflow tube, are these the same? The existing one is repairable by welding up the enlarged hole and redrilling the proper size hole for the motor mount. Can I just swap out the cross members? __________________ Marcel Kristoff, Fort St. John, B.C. Canada

07-10-2017, 04:45 PM	#2
2manycars Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Eastern CT Posts: 2,732	Re: front crossmember I think welding the hole and re drilling would be my choice. Drilling out all those rivets and replacing them properly would be a lot more work. Your 28 crossmember must have had the integral mounts cut off, and the newer mount installed, if you have a hole for the mount. __________________ Bill www.brauchauto.com

07-10-2017, 04:49 PM	#3
Al 29Tudor Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Venice, FL Posts: 648	Re: front crossmember I can't tell you if the 1928 AA is the same as an 1930 A cross member. If the 1928 AA radiator is the low profile, like the car, and the 1930 is the high profile it will not fit. I think the radiator bosses are a different height and the rivet holes don't line up. Changing the cross member is a bear and I would avoid it if you can. Matching the rivet holes and bucking the rivets hot is a challenge. You will need an offset bucking bar and plenty of room to swing a big hammer. I can't imagine ever doing another one. Al

07-10-2017, 05:16 PM	#4
Big hammer Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Land of Lincoln Posts: 3,131	Re: front crossmember Sounds like someone modified it to the later floating engine mount. Check the ford service manual. Clean up the hole and have a new bushing made to fit your cross member! __________________ Don't force it with a little hammer tap, tap, tap get a bigger hammer tap done

07-10-2017, 06:52 PM	#5
Gunmetal blue2 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Columbia, TN.38401 Posts: 422	Re: front crossmember I can tell you that 28 29 are the same. But 30 31 are the same but different than 28 29. If you want to get technical model a and aa are different looking cross members. Weld it and drill it out.

07-10-2017, 07:40 PM	#6
modela mike Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Wilton, Ca. Posts: 10	Re: front crossmember Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I have successfully welded in patch and redrilled the hole and also "V" out and welded up small cracks in the front crossmember - someone had installed an incorrect front mount causing undo pressure in this area. I did the repair about 2 years ago and it is holding up well.