Splicing frames rather than replacing??
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
Splicing frames rather than replacing??
Hi
I just purchased a mid 70's Corvette frame at auction (earlier thread) because my 64 frame has some rust and suspension issues. My question is this. Value wise, would it be better to splice the rear section of the 70's frame to the front section (in front of the trans. crossmember) of my 64 frame, with the necessary mount changes etc., or put the whole mid 70's frame under the 64 with the necessary changes. This car is going to be a driver and I am not in a position to go buy a new repop 64 frame etc..
Thanks
Ron
I just purchased a mid 70's Corvette frame at auction (earlier thread) because my 64 frame has some rust and suspension issues. My question is this. Value wise, would it be better to splice the rear section of the 70's frame to the front section (in front of the trans. crossmember) of my 64 frame, with the necessary mount changes etc., or put the whole mid 70's frame under the 64 with the necessary changes. This car is going to be a driver and I am not in a position to go buy a new repop 64 frame etc..
Thanks
Ron
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,349
Likes: 419
From: Seattle Area WA
Frame
Since you will be loosing the VIN numbers by splicing at this point, I think you might as well use the whole frame and call it good, just my opinion. Either that or cut the VIN sections out and weld into the donor frame.
The VIN #s are on the top of drivers dog leg and in the section forward of the dog leg.
The VIN #s are on the top of drivers dog leg and in the section forward of the dog leg.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 294
Likes: 0
From: newton IA
There are too many subtle differences with the frames to make it look exactly like a 64 frame. I would just change what is nessasary and call it good. I have a 79 frame under my 65. I just put the body mounts in the right place, drilled some holes for the front bumper brackets and radiator mount and replaced the rear frame piece. The rear frame piece was a little tricky. I bolted it to the bumper brackets and attached it to the body and rear bumpers so it was in place then tacked it in place with a welder. I took the body off and finnished the welding to try and make it look good. There was an area on the kickups just behind the #4 body mount that was rubbing on the body wheel well so i cut a slice in the frame so I could smash the frame down in that spot a little. welded it back together and put a little body filler there and the kick up follows the contour of the body nicely now. For a driver it works and looks great. Only the hardcore corvette experts would ever know the diference but unless you have a real 64 frame under there they are going to know the difference anyway.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,068
Likes: 27
From: St. Joseph Mo
If your original frame has no salvage value it may be a good idea to cut out the original vin stamped area(s) and splice them in to the new frame. Wish I had done that to mine, hindsight being 20/20. 
