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Radiator Apron Not Fitting Right

Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2019 6:57 pm
by dunoon
I went to put on the original apron that I removed over 50 years ago on a 26 coupe. When the crank hole and screw below hole is aligned up, the 2 tabs that go over the radiator studs are about a 1/2" above the frame. I don't remember anything between the tabs and the frame, am I wrong. I'd appreciate a diagram of how this fits together.

Re: Radiator Apron Not Fitting Right

Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2019 8:06 pm
by Jim Sims
Go's above the hood shelves.

Re: Radiator Apron Not Fitting Right

Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2019 8:11 pm
by DanTreace
Here you go:
E2ABB16C-1377-4579-97FA-1B829B315F0B.jpeg

Re: Radiator Apron Not Fitting Right

Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2019 8:17 pm
by dunoon
That's it, Thanks loads

Re: Radiator Apron Not Fitting Right

Posted: Mon Aug 19, 2019 7:02 pm
by Original Smith
I don't own a '26, but on a '25, it lays on top of the frame. I'll bet a '26 does too, and would be real easy to tell by the retaining hole on the motor mount.

Re: Radiator Apron Not Fitting Right

Posted: Mon Aug 19, 2019 7:22 pm
by Adam
It should rest on top of the frame rails.

Have you changed the front crossmember?

Re: Radiator Apron Not Fitting Right

Posted: Mon Aug 19, 2019 7:26 pm
by Jim Sims
Read the complete post. This was answered correctly on the 14th.

Re: Radiator Apron Not Fitting Right

Posted: Mon Aug 19, 2019 9:04 pm
by Adam
dunoon wrote:
Wed Aug 14, 2019 6:57 pm
When the crank hole and screw below hole is aligned up, the 2 tabs that go over the radiator studs are about a 1/2" above the frame.
I didn’t see that answered... Someone posted a diagram... There is NOTHING that goes between the frame rails and the apron tabs.

If it looked like it was answered correctly, I wouldn’t have posted.

Hope to hear back from the original poster as to whether or not his problem is solved. If it isn’t, then I’m pretty sure I do know what the issue is and can help him resolve it.

Re: Radiator Apron Not Fitting Right

Posted: Mon Aug 19, 2019 9:32 pm
by BobD
On my ’26, the radiator apron fits on top of the hood shelves otherwise the crank hole and other features would not line up.
Jim S. correctly answered this.

Re: Radiator Apron Not Fitting Right

Posted: Mon Aug 19, 2019 9:38 pm
by Jim, Sr.
Adam, Look at the drawing again. On 1926 and 27 the hood shelves are longer and pass under the radiator apron.

Re: Radiator Apron Not Fitting Right

Posted: Tue Aug 20, 2019 8:21 am
by Allan
These aprons are quite confusing. Recently one was advertised for sale in the classifieds. Till then I had never seen one with a STEEL trim strip crimped in place. All the ones I have seen are nickel plated brass. Also, the mounting hole for the screw under the crank handle hole was simply drilled in the panel. Those I have seen have a stamped in depression at that point and the hole in that depression is slightly slotted vertically to aid in fitting.

I have 3 aprons in my stash. All are different. My 1925 roadster requires a plain one with no slots for a trim piece. By placing a straight edge across the top and measuring to the centre of the crank handle hole, the measurement to the centre of the crank hole is 4". This apron has the tabs on the side which are sandwiched between the frame and the fender support iron. It has the collar around the crank hole. Measured at the crank hole, this one is 4 3/4" deep.I put this one down as a 23-25 high radiator item.

The second one has the 3 slots to crimp the trim piece in place. It does not have the side tabs like the first, and does not have the hole for the screw under the crank hole. The measurement on this one is 5 3/8". This one has the collar at the crank hole, but no hole for the screw beneath. Measured through the crank hole, it is 5 3/8" deep. Is this one for a 26 model improved car, before the screw was added to the front mounting?

The third is dimensionally the same as the second, but it does have the depression and hole for the screw but shows no sign of ever having the collar behind the crank hole. 27 model?

These measurements support fitting the latter two on top of the hood shelf, but I wonder if there are differences in the improved car front frame cross members.

Just to add to the confusion.
Allan from down under.

Re: Radiator Apron Not Fitting Right

Posted: Tue Aug 20, 2019 11:22 am
by Adam
Thanks to Jim Sr for pointing out that detail item. Hope that was really it. This is one of those things “so obvious it couldn’t possibly be the issue”.

There are 3 different aprons from ‘23-‘27 that are not interchangeable and minor variations on each one, plus various repros. People often get them mixed up. Also, ‘26-‘27 front crossmembers are much more prone to breakage under and around the front motor mount. Many cars with “replacement” crossmembers have fitment issues or the wrong crossmember altogether.

Re: Radiator Apron Not Fitting Right

Posted: Tue Aug 20, 2019 9:37 pm
by Jim, Sr.
Continuing the discussion on radiator aprons-------
The first aprons, T-3977, were on the 1924 and 1925 models when Ford added the skirt on the front of the fenders.
Then in 1925, Ford offered an accessory nickel plated apron, T-3977-B, to go along with nickel plated radiator shells and headlight rims to dress up the 1925 models.
The apron for the 1926 and 1927 Fords with the nickel trim strip and the hole for putting a screw into the front motor mount/spring clamp is part #T-3977-C.
Because the 1926 and 1927 TT trucks continued to use the 1924-25 style front fenders, but started using the front motor mount with the screw hole, they added a corresponding hole in that first apron design, and that is T-3077-F, with factory #TT-8016.

Here are photos of the 1925 nickel plated T-3977-B,the 1926-27 T-3977-C with the nickel trim strip, and the apron for the 1926-27 TT trucks, T-3977-F.