The Ford Barn

Alan O'Connell · 03-10-2022, 06:51 PM

Is there anyone who can repair a frame that has a plate or two welded where there has been rot? I would like the frame to look original. I suppose one way would be to find a frame section that is good and have it welded. Another way would be if someone could fabricate a piece so that when it's welded it looks original. Either way is ok with me. I live in Massachusetts.

Zeke3 · 03-10-2022, 07:54 PM

What year are you working on? Attached is a link to a recent discussion on this topic.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=310691

My car is a 1937 and it has rust through on both sides where the X joins with the side frame rails in front of the rear axle. Besides the areas rusted through, my frame also has rust issues in several areas behind the rear axle. I thought about attempting a repair, but decided instead to replace the frame.

OldGold360 · 03-11-2022, 12:09 AM

There are frame pieces available for sale, but I cannot tell you how good they are. I’ve attached pictures of the repair I did on the back of my frame. I couldn’t find a picture of it once everything was welded, welds sanded and new rivets installed, but this should give you an idea or two for repairing your frame.

Fred A · 03-11-2022, 01:20 AM

Out here in Southern California, the biggest danger to our old Ford frames has been from dual exhaust and other go-fast modifications. When these cars had little value, hatchet quality work was quite common. My current '40 project is so clean that I now, more than ever appreciate things authentic and original. At this point, while doing no harm, I allow few select and reversable variations. Those variations can be less than ideal. Perhaps another thread: Fred A

supereal · 03-12-2022, 12:48 PM

Frame "rot" (rust) anywhere in or on the frame is a hazard. It usually is necessary to do a "body off" inspection to see the damage. A weld on top of rust is likely weak and may fail. It can be done by a shop with extensive experience. At our shop we see amateur welds that are accidents waiting to happen.

Alan O'Connell · 03-12-2022, 05:55 PM

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I've done a number of amateur restorations. I've always stayed away from rotted frames. If the price was right I'd just get another frame. I looked at a 39 convertible coupe. The price was good. It needs some mechanical work but the body is very good. The frame had two plates welded on the left rear where they all seem to rot. I was just wondering if a shop could remove the plates, find and weld in a section from an original frame. If not I'll pass on the car. The price is right as long as I don't have to take the body off and get a new frame.

Tinker · 03-12-2022, 10:36 PM

Always much easier to repair frames with everything off. I'm not sure a butt weld would be my suggestion on a frame. A Gusset or box of some type would make me feel better. I would think the new buyer would be told it was a welded frame too.

fordor41 · 03-12-2022, 11:48 PM

Our '41 frame was butt welded from the factory

Tinker · 03-12-2022, 11:58 PM

You sure?

fordor41 · 03-14-2022, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tinker

You sure?

the X member was butt welded in pieces

Tinker · 03-14-2022, 10:13 PM

41? Factory? are you sure?

Tinker · 03-14-2022, 10:27 PM

I'm not saying you can't do it. But if you are going to flip it. I would tell/disclose to the buyer and let them decide. If you are going to butt weld to hide a fault, that's a different discussion.

Cartravel · 03-19-2022, 04:12 PM

I've repaired a couple of '40 frames. All the ones I see have rot at the kick up in front of the right rear wheel. The right side is next to the shoulder of the road, so junk gets thrown up into the holes in the frame and it rusts through. I'd say I have average welding skills with gas or mig. A proper butt weld with good penetration should be as strong as original and can be ground down to be invisible. Anyway, here are some photos of one repair.

Pech33 · 03-19-2022, 04:30 PM

I also have issues in the same spot on my 40. I have found two suppliers of "boxing plates". Streetrod Engineering and Wolfe's Metal Fabricators. They have them in sections. There are probably others that have similar products.

Pech33 · 03-19-2022, 04:59 PM

Joe's Antique Auto Parts in Massachusetts has repair sections.

cadillac512 · 03-20-2022, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldGold360

There are frame pieces available for sale, but I cannot tell you how good they are. I’ve attached pictures of the repair I did on the back of my frame. I couldn’t find a picture of it once everything was welded, welds sanded and new rivets installed, but this should give you an idea or two for repairing your frame.

That's nice work. I certainly would not be afraid of that repair. Well done!

Terry

03-10-2022, 06:51 PM	#1
Alan O'Connell Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Peabody, MA Posts: 471	Frame Repair Is there anyone who can repair a frame that has a plate or two welded where there has been rot? I would like the frame to look original. I suppose one way would be to find a frame section that is good and have it welded. Another way would be if someone could fabricate a piece so that when it's welded it looks original. Either way is ok with me. I live in Massachusetts.

03-10-2022, 07:54 PM	#2
Zeke3 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Columbus, IN Posts: 1,406	Re: Frame Repair What year are you working on? Attached is a link to a recent discussion on this topic. https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=310691 My car is a 1937 and it has rust through on both sides where the X joins with the side frame rails in front of the rear axle. Besides the areas rusted through, my frame also has rust issues in several areas behind the rear axle. I thought about attempting a repair, but decided instead to replace the frame.

03-11-2022, 01:20 AM	#4
Fred A Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Encino California, near Burbank Posts: 935	Re: Frame Repair Out here in Southern California, the biggest danger to our old Ford frames has been from dual exhaust and other go-fast modifications. When these cars had little value, hatchet quality work was quite common. My current '40 project is so clean that I now, more than ever appreciate things authentic and original. At this point, while doing no harm, I allow few select and reversable variations. Those variations can be less than ideal. Perhaps another thread: Fred A

03-12-2022, 12:48 PM	#5
supereal Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,634	Re: Frame Repair Frame "rot" (rust) anywhere in or on the frame is a hazard. It usually is necessary to do a "body off" inspection to see the damage. A weld on top of rust is likely weak and may fail. It can be done by a shop with extensive experience. At our shop we see amateur welds that are accidents waiting to happen.

03-12-2022, 05:55 PM	#6
Alan O'Connell Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Peabody, MA Posts: 471	Re: Frame Repair Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I've done a number of amateur restorations. I've always stayed away from rotted frames. If the price was right I'd just get another frame. I looked at a 39 convertible coupe. The price was good. It needs some mechanical work but the body is very good. The frame had two plates welded on the left rear where they all seem to rot. I was just wondering if a shop could remove the plates, find and weld in a section from an original frame. If not I'll pass on the car. The price is right as long as I don't have to take the body off and get a new frame.

03-12-2022, 10:36 PM	#7
Tinker Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: MN Posts: 7,053	Re: Frame Repair Always much easier to repair frames with everything off. I'm not sure a butt weld would be my suggestion on a frame. A Gusset or box of some type would make me feel better. I would think the new buyer would be told it was a welded frame too.

03-12-2022, 11:48 PM	#8
fordor41 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: elmira,ny Posts: 1,517	Re: Frame Repair Our '41 frame was butt welded from the factory

03-12-2022, 11:58 PM	#9
Tinker Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: MN Posts: 7,053	Re: Frame Repair You sure?

03-14-2022, 10:13 PM	#11
Tinker Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: MN Posts: 7,053	Re: Frame Repair 41? Factory? are you sure?

03-14-2022, 10:27 PM	#12
Tinker Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: MN Posts: 7,053	Re: Frame Repair I'm not saying you can't do it. But if you are going to flip it. I would tell/disclose to the buyer and let them decide. If you are going to butt weld to hide a fault, that's a different discussion.

03-19-2022, 04:30 PM	#14
Pech33 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: Mukilteo, WA; Rio Verde, AZ Posts: 163	Re: Frame Repair I also have issues in the same spot on my 40. I have found two suppliers of "boxing plates". Streetrod Engineering and Wolfe's Metal Fabricators. They have them in sections. There are probably others that have similar products.

03-19-2022, 04:59 PM	#15
Pech33 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: Mukilteo, WA; Rio Verde, AZ Posts: 163	Re: Frame Repair Joe's Antique Auto Parts in Massachusetts has repair sections.