damaged frame question

The frame on my '32 roadster was damaged in an accident. One frame shop has already tried to straighten it without success. My question is, do I try to get it straightened again or is it better (meaning safer) not to try to fix it, and instead go get a new frame?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.  

Really depends upon the damage and "how" the shop tried to repair the frame. If there were kinks in the frame most modern frame shops can't do the job properly, minor twists and simple straightening are more in their line of work.

Have you considered making replacement parts and repairing the damaged area (only) of the frame? That's what lead my late friend Dave Gale into making Deuce frames from scratch (pieces welded together vs stamped), which lead to him forming "Just a Hobby" which was later purchased by Barry Lobeck whoce currently face appears on this web site.

The one thing YOU SHOULD DO is to obtain a copy of the blueprint of the 32 Ford frame that are/were on the market. Even though the print was drawn from a "used" frame (not that long ago) it does have the correct specs that the Ford factory tried to hold (but not too well). That drawing was made by another local that had hooked up with Dave. Don't know if Lobeck sells the print but I have seen it offered by others.  

XC is right.. depending on what and how much it was damaged...

and i had several friend with frame shops...   not all frame shops are created equal...  

they also might not have a frame chart for it...

there are some listed here...... i don't know if they match the original or not.... but its a good starting point..

http://www.wescottsauto.com/Tech/frame_specs.html


there are frame shops.. places with a frame jig..  and then there are shops... that only do work for insurance companies when another shop messes up ...     there are also skilled rodders who with a few carefully bolted together pieces of steel can bend most things back into shape...   the problem might be once flexed.. will is be as strong as it was before???

post some decent pictures...  use photobucket... and paste the 4th link..  

I agree to "section out the damage" the frame should be on a jig" (frame rack) like mine was, and the measurements from the blueprints acting as well," the blueprints to find out how "outta whack" yours is after being squared and plumbed" jeffie, as far as saftey separate the body from the frame and do it right, any hot rod shop with a frame rack can jig your rails up and determin repair and cost as an estimate and add in the appropriate boxing to even improve your foundation, any pics? OH AND WAAAAAASUP waynep? i see we both ventured from ponch land COOL BUD!  
Rip roarin,tire shreddin,child scarin hot rods forever!

When I was doing research for my book, Hot Rod Body and Chassis Builder's Guide, I spoke with several different chassis builders. An obvious decision maker would depend on how badly it (the frame) is damaged, so it would make sense to attempt to have your frame straightened. However, since you have had some work done to no avail, any additional straightening may just compound any problems. Whether it is sheet metal or frame material, straightening correctly is done by undoing the damage in the reverse order. Since you have had an accident and now some amount of unknown stresses applied to the frame, more work at getting it straight may not get you any closer.

While it may be prudent to make one attempt at getting it straight, I think I'd go with a new frame if the first attempt didn't work. Good luck.

Dennis