Difference between 73 & 76 frame?
08-21-2012, 05:21 PM
#1
Pro
Thread Starter
Difference between 73 & 76 frame?
Getting ready to remove my body and found some frame rot on the #3 crossmember. I know there are 7" replacement sections, so that doesn't bother me.
What does, is what I will find on top of the frame when I remove the body. If I have to replace the frame, I can get one from a 76. How much difference is there between the two?
Thanks in advance.
Russ
What does, is what I will find on top of the frame when I remove the body. If I have to replace the frame, I can get one from a 76. How much difference is there between the two?
Thanks in advance.
Russ
Last edited by V4motorsports; 08-21-2012 at 06:20 PM. Reason: spelling
08-21-2012, 06:27 PM
#3
Pro
Thread Starter
From 71Corvette. com:
1975 - Hydraulic bumper shocks added, frame modified in that area.
Just cut off bumper crossmember and weld in replacement crossmember for 73. Correct?
1976 - Left side exhaust mount on the transmission crossmember was eliminated.
My car is an automatic, which has a bolt on crossmember. That should be easy, just change the crossmember. Correct?
Hope it's that easy.
Thanks
Russ
1975 - Hydraulic bumper shocks added, frame modified in that area.
Just cut off bumper crossmember and weld in replacement crossmember for 73. Correct?
1976 - Left side exhaust mount on the transmission crossmember was eliminated.
My car is an automatic, which has a bolt on crossmember. That should be easy, just change the crossmember. Correct?
Hope it's that easy.
Thanks
Russ
08-22-2012, 01:31 PM
#4
Le Mans Master
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If you are talking about the left hand exhaust pipe pass through on the crossmember here is what I know about the 1976. I ordered and took delivery in June on a late built 1976. It was a 4-speed and the crossmember still had the left side pass through in place. I had the converter removed and true duals added at the local Midas shop, just a month after taking delivery. (It wasn't illegal at that point in time.)
Jim
Jim
08-22-2012, 06:09 PM
#5
Le Mans Master
The '76 trans x-member itself will still have dual pass-thrus for the exhaust pipes, it just most likely won't have the hanger/mount on the driver's side. If the current '73 trans x-member is good, just bolt it in the '76 frame and you're set.
As for the rear bumper x-member, not sure about this specific adaptation ('76 to '73), but you might have to cut and graft the rear 12-18" of the frame rails along with it. Just metioning this possibility because that's what I was told by a replacement frame manufacturer about installing the '78 tail on an otherwise fully-prepped '77 frame that I almost bought last year.
As for the rear bumper x-member, not sure about this specific adaptation ('76 to '73), but you might have to cut and graft the rear 12-18" of the frame rails along with it. Just metioning this possibility because that's what I was told by a replacement frame manufacturer about installing the '78 tail on an otherwise fully-prepped '77 frame that I almost bought last year.
