C & S 1008 Update - Evaluating the Frame

NGDF -

At the last update in July, we had just completed floor wall and floor disassembly. We (Richard especially) have spent a lot of time studying, and drawing the frame components. Here is one view of the sills from the A end


The intermediate (Pedestal) sills were of concern. We had hoped to repair and reuse these. For a cosmetic restoration, that would work. But we are still shooting for operation, and these sills just do not have good structural integrity. The B end of this sill (nearest the camera) is completely oil-saturated. How did this happen? The cabinet storage compartment above this sill was lined with sheet metal. Now we can guess why. Decades of leaking oil containers saturated the wood frame below. This did not serve to preserve the wood, but after all that time seems to have "softened" it.

The center sill (inboard) has at least one rotted hole on the bottom large enough to insert your entire hand!


There are four spacer blocks (white oak) that hold the brake hangers. Note the vertical bolts through these blocks for reinforcement. But these are badly cracked and dry rotted as well. Note the counter-sunk square head bolts in the sill at left. This detail allows the spring hangers and pedestal bolts to be tightened from below with the floor in place. This detail has to be recreated by hand chiseling.


Next, check this interesting repair to the intermediate sill. At some point, the spacer block at this location that was a brake hanger block was replaced. To fit the tenons without disassembling the frame, a slot was cut to extend the sill mortice, then back filled with an insert to reclose the mortice. Car shop ingenuity!


The end result is that we're getting all of the sills and spacer blocks remade new. We were a bit disappointed in this, as there is some fabric that is lost. But if the 1008 is to reliably operate, the frame must be sound and square.

Bob of AZ