Thoughts on how to straighten a '32 trans mount

[Tim Ayers]

I have two Ford script trans mounts (piece that the rubber ring sits in).
Sacramento Vintage Ford will vulcanize a new ring on to these pieces. One of the mounts is bowed slightly. I'd like to straighten it before I send it out.

Here are my thoughts as to how to do it:
1) place it in a vise between blocks and squeeze it back straight
2) Hammer it straight on a anvil
3) Or open to other ideas.

I'm assuming this is just a stamped steel piece.

Thoughts on if I'm on the right track.

Thanks.

[Mart]

I'd hammer it on a flat surface, but using skill and care. It's not a case of smashing the living daylights out of it.
Bending in a vise might work, as you say, using blocks so it acts like a press.

Either is good, maybe on reflection, the vise bend might be your first port of call.

Whatever you are most comfortable with.

[glennpm]

I would do it in a vise. You will have to over bend it to make it flat. Just squeezing it probably won't get the existing bend flat since the metal has been yielded.


Glenn

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by glennpm

I would do it in a vise. You will have to over bend it to make it flat. Just squeezing it probably won't get the existing bend flat since the metal has been yielded.


Glenn

Good point. I can use blocks once fairly straight. Maybe an arbor press once almost flat will allow me to see it as I work it.

[glennpm]

Hi Tim,


An arbor press would be great. Go slowly and over-bend as I mentioned.


Glenn

[Tim Ayers]

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Originally Posted by glennpm

Hi Tim,


An arbor press would be great. Go slowly and over-bend as I mentioned.


Glenn

Great. Thanks for the suggestion. I'll report back on the progress and take picts of before and after.

[bobH]

Why not just get one that is already straight? 'Course I say that, having at least a couple of them in my stash. I assume many 32-nuts would have the same. On the subject of straightening, I'd go for the press. Maybe supplement with Mart's bfh, if needed. As Mart says, gently.

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by bobH

Why not just get one that is already straight? 'Course I say that, having at least a couple of them in my stash. I assume many 32-nuts would have the same. On the subject of straightening, I'd go for the press. Maybe supplement with Mart's bfh, if needed. As Mart says, gently.

I'd like to save it if I could

[deuce_roadster]

Find someone with a press. I have a 25 Ton press I built and have straightened 32 front axles in it as well as flattened things that needed to be flat. If something is springy, you can put sheet metal or other flat shims on each side and press it past flat and it will spring back to flat.
Not really a job for a hammer.
As a rule, Ford front axles move at about 8 tons. If they have been heated, about 4 (front to back). I have removed many 32 perch pins and the stuck ones let go about 17 tons. It is helpful to have a gauge on the pump. When pushing perch pins you need to bridge close to the axle to prevent bending it when they are really stuck. I have some fixtures for that.