Need sheetmetal assembly help!
Posted: December 6th, 2020, 4:31 pm
Hello all long time no see 
- Ive bit the bullet and outsourced sheetmetal repairs and paint to a local body guy whos done oodles of model A era all the way to modern collision repair. Ive got all the body but the cab and bed done and painted. Cab is next so I can mount the splash aprons, then set cab on top without having to worry about scratching running boards or fenders.
But thats where im stuck and have what feels like a billion questions:
Ive heard the Les Andrews volume 2 has a nice writeup on assembling the 28-29 cab. Ive also been recommended "Restoring the Model A Pickup" by Mac Hils. I dont mind purchasing books but are these worth it? Any other recommendations? I currently have the latest Judging standards and the 2020 version of maficas paint guide.
Where I'm stuck is what all needs to be assembled in what order. Such as which anti squeak and frame welting to use, how much to order of each, and where all it goes - is there a book outlining all this for AA's specifically? Also things like what bolt sets do i need to order to attach all the various smeetmetal parts together and to the frame. Mine has the long running boards and rear fenders. I have been told a place called "3rd Gen" in TN has the correct thickness and widths for the welting and anti squeak.
Speaking of Tennesee - isnt there a guy who advertises on here or "another site" that their shop specializes in properly and permanently restoring the model A gas tanks? They cut them open, sandblast inside and out all the baffles and whatnot so its super clean, weld it back up, check the steering column tank bracket for cracks/leaks, pressure test it, then apply the ethanol safe goop to the inside of the tank. I have forgot his name if anyone knows of this guy...
My cab and doors are in excellent shape even the cowl panels and under the seat pan. The bodyshop recommended a place somewhat nearby who does baking soda blasting and specializes in vehicle bodies so that parts taken care of but that means it immediately needs to be primed at least to prevent rust. Is it OK to then install all the wood over the primer then have it painted? I dont want rot or rust in the future... I have new wood kits (top and door posts) to go in but would need new little pieces like door striker parts that attach to the wood posts and such. I understand the whole cab was assembled, painted, then the canvas top put on at the factory.
Whew sorry for the on-slought of questions but i know alot of this stuff is critical for proper fitting of everything.
- Ive bit the bullet and outsourced sheetmetal repairs and paint to a local body guy whos done oodles of model A era all the way to modern collision repair. Ive got all the body but the cab and bed done and painted. Cab is next so I can mount the splash aprons, then set cab on top without having to worry about scratching running boards or fenders.But thats where im stuck and have what feels like a billion questions:
Ive heard the Les Andrews volume 2 has a nice writeup on assembling the 28-29 cab. Ive also been recommended "Restoring the Model A Pickup" by Mac Hils. I dont mind purchasing books but are these worth it? Any other recommendations? I currently have the latest Judging standards and the 2020 version of maficas paint guide.
Where I'm stuck is what all needs to be assembled in what order. Such as which anti squeak and frame welting to use, how much to order of each, and where all it goes - is there a book outlining all this for AA's specifically? Also things like what bolt sets do i need to order to attach all the various smeetmetal parts together and to the frame. Mine has the long running boards and rear fenders. I have been told a place called "3rd Gen" in TN has the correct thickness and widths for the welting and anti squeak.
Speaking of Tennesee - isnt there a guy who advertises on here or "another site" that their shop specializes in properly and permanently restoring the model A gas tanks? They cut them open, sandblast inside and out all the baffles and whatnot so its super clean, weld it back up, check the steering column tank bracket for cracks/leaks, pressure test it, then apply the ethanol safe goop to the inside of the tank. I have forgot his name if anyone knows of this guy...
My cab and doors are in excellent shape even the cowl panels and under the seat pan. The bodyshop recommended a place somewhat nearby who does baking soda blasting and specializes in vehicle bodies so that parts taken care of but that means it immediately needs to be primed at least to prevent rust. Is it OK to then install all the wood over the primer then have it painted? I dont want rot or rust in the future... I have new wood kits (top and door posts) to go in but would need new little pieces like door striker parts that attach to the wood posts and such. I understand the whole cab was assembled, painted, then the canvas top put on at the factory.
Whew sorry for the on-slought of questions but i know alot of this stuff is critical for proper fitting of everything.