Incorrect body alignment or 3/4" tube not welded straight?

[Mat1asBEV&ICE]

Hello.

Based on the photo below, do I need to re-align the body or is the 3/4" welded at an angle? If it's welded at an angle, I am guessing it doesn't matter?

I think it's the 3/4" tube (let me know if you want any additional photos) because the body seems to be hitting in the same places on the DS and PS everywhere else. Moving the DS side back is not possible as the body is up against the "horns" (I think that's what people call them) on both sides (where the QJ bolts are). Moving the PS forward (if even possible) would mean a side pipe hole noticeably farther back than the DS.

Further reason why I think it's the 3/4", the front of the radiator is almost hitting the horn on PS while there's room on the DS. The Breeze lower radiator mount is farther forward on the horn on the PS.

Thank you for your input!

[Papa]

They all look like that from what I've been told. If you're OCD, you're going to blow a gasket trying to resolve all the asymmetry that these hand-formed bodies exhibit. Here's a picture of mine -- not as dramatic as your photo shows, but camera angles can make things look better or worse.

[JMD]

Ha! I just posted about this exact thing a week or so ago. I was concerned something was off as well, turns out that's perfectly normal according to many of the experienced builders who responded to my post about this. Carry on.

[AA-ron]

Hello.

Based on the photo below, do I need to re-align the body or is the 3/4" welded at an angle? If it's welded at an angle, I am guessing it doesn't matter?

I think it's the 3/4" tube (let me know if you want any additional photos) because the body seems to be hitting in the same places on the DS and PS everywhere else. Moving the DS side back is not possible as the body is up against the "horns" (I think that's what people call them) on both sides (where the QJ bolts are). Moving the PS side forward (if even possible) would mean a side pipe hole noticeably farther back than the DS.

Further reason why I think it's the 3/4", the front of the radiator is almost hitting the horn on PS while there's room on the DS. The Breeze lower radiator mount is farther forward on the horn on the PS.

Thank you for your input!

Yep, mine looks exactly the same as yours as do many I've seen.

[Mat1asBEV&ICE]

Great to know! I was thinking about getting the Breeze radiator cowl cover. I think this settles it.

[FLPBFoot]

Great to know! I was thinking about getting the Breeze radiator cowl cover. I think this settles it.

Yes, the Breeze cover makes it look less obvious. Also it closes off that area and forces more air through the radiator rather than letting it flow over the top.

[Wizbangdoodle]

As i was installing my radiator, I saw this same thing. I thought my frame was screwed up. I ended up calling FFR and inquiring about it. I was told it is perfectly normal and was that way from the days of using a mustang donor. I guess the mustang radiator needed that angle to fit correctly.

[Mark Reynolds]

Sorry but I believe the 3/4" crossbar needs to be cut (from photo looks like the driver side) and re-welded in a level position. I actually discuss this in the installation instructions for the 70558 HD Hinged Upper Mount.

[Mat1asBEV&ICE]

Hey Mark. Just to clarify, the 3/4" crossbar is leveled. It's just that the DS side is farther back. Do I still need to have that crossbar cut and re-welded? I hope not.

[Jeff Kleiner]

Hey Mark. Just to clarify, the 3/4" crossbar is leveled. It's just that the DS side is farther back. Do I still need to have that crossbar cut and re-welded? I hope not.

Every Factory Five from Mk1 (actually from before there even were Marks) through Mk4 is like that.

Jeff

[Wizbangdoodle]

Yes, just to clarify, my crossbar is level, but in the horizontal plane, it is not square with the firewall.

[CraigS]

That is exactly correct and, as Greg says, the same for every FFR. The Breeze cover hides it pretty well but more importantly, as PLPBfoot says, it forces air to flow through the radiator vs bypassing it. If you look in through the radiator body opening toward the top of the rad you will see there is a huge area for air to escape.

[Mat1asBEV&ICE]

Thank you everyone for your input. I will order the Breeze cover and "accept" the way it looks.

[ggunter]

Jeff said a long time ago, don't look for symmetry in these cars or you'll go crazy. The finished product makes you look past all the imperfections.

[Tony_G]

I cut and re welded mine. Looks much better. Couldn't stand the way the radiator was crooked in the mouth.

[Theshandman]

Yep, mine was as all the others. I did go with Mark R's Mk4 hood hinge and radiator baffle. Amazingly, I did not need to do any mods to the cross bar; the rad cover and hinges went on perfectly. That shiny rad cover was repurposed from our kitchen stove SS backsplash when we went with tile, cut to size and polished. Gotta love home remedies!

IMG_9067.jpeg