The Ford Barn

39portlander · 07-05-2022, 05:12 PM

Alright you 38/39 truck guys I need some help here. Getting back to my grille/chrome trim and mounting that with the shell lace questions.

So as for mounting the shell lace and outer chrome trim, I only had several rivets holding those together when I removed these pieces several years ago and I don't think rivets were used.

Also what clips/hardware should be used to secure the center chrome strip. All of the mounting holes appear to be 10x24 bolt size.

I have a picture of a piece of my old radiator shell lace but the Dennis Carpenters on-line picture looks more like the cowl lace. Any input, Clem-Seth-Gary-Tinker ect. would be great and thanks in advance.

nelsb01 · 07-05-2022, 09:48 PM

I'll take a shot. I have a 1936 pickup and while it doesnt have a center stainless, it has stainless around the outer edge.
I believe that the center stainless was held on by clips that slide in the track and then are pushed into the holes and are not a standard fastener.
The grille lacing used split rivets, so a hole needs to be punched and the rivet installed and then spread on the inside of the grille shell. If the ends are like the earlier pickups, those clips are a trial and error to get the lace tight, stretched and fitting correctly.

Hope this helps.

39portlander · 07-06-2022, 06:43 AM

Yes that does help, and ordered the radiator shell lacing kit with split rivets from Joes #81C-16739-S

I think with the width of the center strip a few 91A-2003 hood clips might work, there are also universal molding clips available to cut to length as needed.

GaryU. · 07-06-2022, 03:26 PM

Made some parts for the center strip using a rectangle out of nickel silver with brazed on threaded brass rod and nuts with lock washers. Not the original way but did this after seeing a story about a '37 pickup owners solution to securing that center strip. Still looks good years later. Not a judging pickup but what I felt was best for me. Did the shell lace with tube rivets till I got to an area I didn't feel what I had would work, so used a pop rivet on either side that no one could see, except maybe me and this Forum users. If that's the grill and trim the Wautoma boys supplied you have gotten the best!

39portlander · 07-06-2022, 04:13 PM

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Gary that is the Grille/trim from the fellas in Wautoma, and nearly perfect.

Yes those center strip clips you made are exactly the same idea as the available universal molding clips.

Will post some pics when the grille comes back from paint.

07-05-2022, 09:48 PM	#2
nelsb01 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Up North Posts: 626	Re: Some info needed 39 grille/shell lace I'll take a shot. I have a 1936 pickup and while it doesnt have a center stainless, it has stainless around the outer edge. I believe that the center stainless was held on by clips that slide in the track and then are pushed into the holes and are not a standard fastener. The grille lacing used split rivets, so a hole needs to be punched and the rivet installed and then spread on the inside of the grille shell. If the ends are like the earlier pickups, those clips are a trial and error to get the lace tight, stretched and fitting correctly. Hope this helps.

07-06-2022, 06:43 AM	#3
39portlander Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Suth'N Maine Posts: 1,996	Re: Some info needed 39 grille/shell lace Yes that does help, and ordered the radiator shell lacing kit with split rivets from Joes #81C-16739-S I think with the width of the center strip a few 91A-2003 hood clips might work, there are also universal molding clips available to cut to length as needed.

07-06-2022, 03:26 PM	#4
GaryU. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Beaver Dam, Wisconsin Posts: 821	Re: Some info needed 39 grille/shell lace Made some parts for the center strip using a rectangle out of nickel silver with brazed on threaded brass rod and nuts with lock washers. Not the original way but did this after seeing a story about a '37 pickup owners solution to securing that center strip. Still looks good years later. Not a judging pickup but what I felt was best for me. Did the shell lace with tube rivets till I got to an area I didn't feel what I had would work, so used a pop rivet on either side that no one could see, except maybe me and this Forum users. If that's the grill and trim the Wautoma boys supplied you have gotten the best! Last edited by GaryU.; 07-06-2022 at 03:29 PM. Reason: adding

07-06-2022, 04:13 PM	#5
39portlander Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Suth'N Maine Posts: 1,996	Re: Some info needed 39 grille/shell lace Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Gary that is the Grille/trim from the fellas in Wautoma, and nearly perfect. Yes those center strip clips you made are exactly the same idea as the available universal molding clips. Will post some pics when the grille comes back from paint.