changes to '31 frames

[pat in Santa Cruz]

I am cleaning up an April '31 frame which I was considering for use with my 82B pickup cab. I found upon placing the running board shields on the frame, that the bracket with #2 and #3 holes is 2 1/2 inches further back than it is on the (very bad) frame the pickup body came off. Curiosity has my interest piqued. Can anyone explain what body type might have been on this frame?

TIA

[Mike V. Florida]

It is my belief that all frames for a given year were the same. That is there were no roadster frames, fordor frames, coupe frames. The judging standards only show two different frames.

[pat in Santa Cruz]

The J.S. uses the chart from De Angelis. I checked his work and he states that in Dec 30 changes were done to the frame resulting in the "C" frame. I think these were the well known cross member changes. in Mid 31, hole #6 was placed on a bracket to support the 160 series cars . On the frame I am looking at, hole # 2 is 12 1/4 inches ctr to ctr from hole #1. On most frames I have seen, that hole is 9 3/4 inches from #1. There is no sign of the bracket ever having been in another location, that is, no old holes, rivets, etc.

[Mike V. Florida]

Originally Posted by pat in Santa Cruz

The J.S. uses the chart from De Angelis. I checked his work and he states that in Dec 30 changes were done to the frame resulting in the "C" frame. I think these were the well known cross member changes. in Mid 31, hole #6 was placed on a bracket to support the 160 series cars . On the frame I am looking at, hole # 2 is 12 1/4 inches ctr to ctr from hole #1. On most frames I have seen, that hole is 9 3/4 inches from #1. There is no sign of the bracket ever having been in another location, that is, no old holes, rivets, etc.

Now you have me interested in the answer as well.

[Marco Tahtaras]

The "new" frame was introduced with the Victoria in November 1930. By about late March when the 160 series Fordors were rolling off the lines, the new frame went into full production and from then on was used on all models. Only the slant windshield bodies had two bolts going through the cowl support bracket.

[pat in Santa Cruz]

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So Marco, are you saying the 31's other than the S/W's had only one bolt at # 2 hole and none at #3? Did the splash aprons have 2 holes, one of which was out of alignment with the cowl bracket, or only one hole? Were there 2 holes remaining in the cowl at #2 and #3 with only one bolt installed?

[Craig Lewis]

Just for the record, my 31 coupe has the new style frame together with an early March series number stamped atop the rail.
I understand the car was built somewhat later.
Craig.

[Huckster]

Originally Posted by pat in Santa Cruz

I am cleaning up an April '31 frame which I was considering for use with my 82B pickup cab. I found upon placing the running board shields on the frame, that the bracket with #2 and #3 holes is 2 1/2 inches further back than it is on the (very bad) frame the pickup body came off. Curiosity has my interest piqued. Can anyone explain what body type might have been on this frame?

TIA

I am also working on an 82B and ran into the same thing. The cab came off of this frame.

[Marco Tahtaras]

Originally Posted by pat in Santa Cruz

So Marco, are you saying the 31's other than the S/W's had only one bolt at # 2 hole and none at #3? Did the splash aprons have 2 holes, one of which was out of alignment with the cowl bracket, or only one hole? Were there 2 holes remaining in the cowl at #2 and #3 with only one bolt installed?

The aprons had three holes and two bolts were used. If it was a straight windshield body then the front bolt went through the cowl and apron only and the rear bracket hole was unused.

[pat in Santa Cruz]

Originally Posted by Marco Tahtaras

The aprons had three holes and two bolts were used. If it was a straight windshield body then the front bolt went through the cowl and apron only and the rear bracket hole was unused.

Thank you, Marco. Your knowledge of this car never ceases to amaze me. Does this mean that if looking at a 31 straight windshield model cowl mount from inside the car, that one carriage bolt hole would be empty or were those cowls made with only one hole? The only 31's I have looked at that closely have been slants, which as you say, have 2 carriage bolts there.

[Marco Tahtaras]

Originally Posted by Marco Tahtaras

The aprons had three holes and two bolts were used. If it was a straight windshield body then the front bolt went through the cowl and apron only and the rear bracket hole was unused.

I should have been more clear and added the rear (of two) body cowl support bolts attached to the front hole in the bracket. The FRONT (of two) was as described above.