Why are the core support-to-cowl braces missing on so many wagons?

 

These can be easily fabricated out of electrical Conduit the same diameter as the originals.I did the ones on my '55 and Polished them out and they looked like they had been chromed. Just be sure to measure length from hole to hole and allow 3/4" or so for each end. Flatten the ends in a vice (with small piece of wood on each side ) to keep from having vice print ,drill holes ,check for fit,and start polishing ,or painting them. Larry

 

Nice work, Larry.

I'm not missing mine, but noticed that most pictures of wagon engine compartments do not have these.

I made mine a little shorter to clear the air cleaner when I add the OAI hood. I wondered if they would still be as effective, but I see yours are similar in attachment points.

 

Is it possible they never came with them in the first place? I"m just asking...

Or..they are the first thing removed in order to do basic maintenance? Back in the day.

Its like the ground strap/bracket that many Olds had at the starter. "hey the car runs just fine with out this"

For what ever reason they got thrown far away.

 

I considered that reason. I recall as a young mechanic, I was told to throw away needless parts so the job could go back together faster.

It was just hard for me to imagine that so many wagons succumbed to that way of doing things because, short of removing the engine, why would you even take them out?

Just changing points would take longer if you removed the braces rather than reaching under them.

But I was always a logical mechanic, which is why they gave me the fiddly things like carbs, starters, and alternators so they could do the manly things like engines.

 

My son made fork extensions for his bicycle out of mine.

 

I have mine in place, and painted them gold to match the engine, but I've always wondered; what purpose do they serve?

 

By the orientation of their mounting points, I have always assumed that they limited the movement of the core support versus the remainder of the body.

Although why this would require a different solution on wagons is puzzling.

 

It's a Vista thing, flattops did not receive this treatment.