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Discussion Topic:
1940 Ford convertible trunk lid
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trjford8 |
06-09-2012 @ 8:25 PM
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Senior
Posts: 4233
Joined: Oct 2009
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I would recommend using the Drake panel over one made by EMS.It takes a LOT of work to get any EMS panel to fit.
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Olyn |
06-09-2012 @ 9:49 AM
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Member
Posts: 16
Joined: Jun 2012
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Thank you! I will be looking at what Bob Drake reproductions has available here and get this lower deck panel replaced now while doing the restoration work. Appreciate your insight!
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Olyn |
06-09-2012 @ 9:29 AM
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Member
Posts: 16
Joined: Jun 2012
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Thank you! I am in the middle of a restoration effort so yes now is the time to replace this lower deck panel.
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kubes40 |
06-09-2012 @ 5:51 AM
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Senior
Posts: 3424
Joined: Oct 2009
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Olyn, Duece Roadster is right on with his advice. It is obvious the trunk lid is correct. It is also obvious the tail pan panel had been replaced incorrectly. The tool tray boards visible in your photo are quite a ways too high compared to the top end of the panel. That's indicative of the panel being way too low. I too suggest now is the time to cut that panel out and replace it in a correct fashion.
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deuce_roadster |
06-08-2012 @ 9:53 PM
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Member
Posts: 284
Joined: Oct 2009
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Now that I see your picture I think I can say for sure the panel below the decklid IS your problem. It is an older repro panel that is straight across the bottom between the bumper iron slots like a sedan one. On the coupe and convertible, it curves out in the center in a nice double curve, and you can finally get a properly shaped one. For a long time what you have was all that was available. Still, if carefully installed would work. I have done this operation myself with an old style panel such as yours. I hate to be a pessimist but I think you or someone who knows how to do it will need to grind out the bondo and cut that panel out and replace it with a new style one. Now is the time to fix it right. Not a huge job for someone experienced. Goood luck!
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deuce_roadster |
06-08-2012 @ 9:32 PM
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Member
Posts: 284
Joined: Oct 2009
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Ok, for the record, measuring from the top center of the decklids to the farthest part of the skin down the middle over the hole for the handle: Convertible 42 3/4" Coupe 49 3/4" There really isn't any way to get them mixed up they are so vastly different. If someone replaced the panel below the decklid improperly-it could certainly be your problem.
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supereal |
06-08-2012 @ 7:33 PM
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Senior
Posts: 6819
Joined: Oct 2009
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Don't be surprised when ordered parts don't fit. I ordered a set of trunk hinges for my '47 convertible from Drake after being assured they were correct. When they came, the upper side of the hinges didn't resemble the originals and couldn't possibly fit, so I called them. They insisted that I didn't know what I was talking about, or I had a car that wasn't stock because "nobody else complained". I assured them I had done restoration for many years, but they said I was wrong. I ended up adapting the hinge parts because the old ones had been damaged. Ordinarily, the Drake people are helpful. Not that day. Nearly all convertible body parts are unique, I found, and having to remake supposedly correct parts isn't rare.
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Olyn |
06-08-2012 @ 7:20 PM
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Member
Posts: 16
Joined: Jun 2012
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here is another photo depicting the use of multiple washers to hike up the trunk latch.
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Olyn |
06-08-2012 @ 7:18 PM
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Member
Posts: 16
Joined: Jun 2012
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photos of this 1940 trunk lid arrangement, note the body work where the lower deck panel has been replaced at one time.
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Olyn |
06-08-2012 @ 6:43 PM
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Member
Posts: 16
Joined: Jun 2012
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Thank you I appreciate this. I also had ordered new trunk lid support arms from Bob Drake reproductions, and the ones per their catalog #27 for the 1940 convertible did not fit due to the incorrect top hindge where it bolts onto the body. So, I sent them back and ordered their 1941-48 sedan trunk lid support arms and they have the correct upper hindge bolt-ons. They work fine but I still am curious as to why the trunk lid itself is short. It was Bob Drake reproductions that suggested that the Coupe lid was a shorter version VS the lid for the convertible. Also, I know that the lower deck panel has been replaced - so possibly this is the problem. Who-ever replaced the lower deck panel did it too low?? Yet, I still do not make sense of the trunk lid support arms from Bob Drake not being correct for the 40 convertible as he is usually pretty accurate on what he provides.
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