Quote Originally Posted by Dave Severson View Post
My suggestion on the '40 would be to get the car set and leveled, then install some bracing and cross pieces clamped to the frame rails so that things don't start jumping around when you remove the junk that is in there now!!! You might even want to consider some sort of fixture on the front of the rails to secure them and get everything square and level before the old crossmember is removed and the new installed! Measure, measure, measure!!!! I do see what you mean about the bolt in being a consideration....if there are enough of the original attachment points left on the rails that you will have valid reference points????
I was thinking of getting some 2x3 tubing and laying it under the car. Position the car at a good working height in the air, supported by stands. Put the 2x3 sticks under the car from front to back. I'll cut 2x3 up and position them under the car. Tack them to the frame. Probably have 4 on each side where I can. One in front of the front cross member and one behind it on either side for sure. I used to straighten semi frames for a living, and the semi frame racks are like this.

Yes on the point of will there be any reference points worth a hoot. Now I can fix the lower frame rail flanges, then re notch them for a new weld in cross member and gusset according. I'm just scared thinking that these guys cut it not once, but at least twice and you just can't see how much is missing yet. Granted the bolt in kit is more $$$. The bolt on kit has the extra flange on the upper half. This will help beef it up and give a place for more bracing and such.

Now that you guys see the front end work, the x member has had it's own share of hacking. My plan at the moment is to get a speedway tubular x member for it. I wasn't going to, but mine has been hacked, tacked, twisted to clear exhaust, and what ever. I really will be wasting my time I believe by repairing the old one. The tubular speedway one looks so nice, and it should gain some room for stuff being that it is tube construction.