frame cracks?
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Joined: Feb 2014
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From: MASSACHUSETTS
frame cracks?
hi guys are there any common frame cracking or weld stress cracking areas on the 67 convert frame? i have what i would term small previous repaired ares in what i would describe the front frame around the swell for the coil spring on the outboard side of the frame between the curve and the firewall . on the passenger side it looks like two older unrepaired cracks on the underside of the opening for the coil spring . sorry for the lack of pics. can i assume there is some twisting in that area where the crossmember meets the frame? thanks Peter
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 26,118
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From: Greenville, Indiana
There are some areas mentioned in the Chevy Performance book of several years past that mention areas close to what you are talking about. The Chevy book talks about reinforcing in that area for racing. I'd suppose that is areas of high stress.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,783
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Can you see if the metal had been pulled out some where the strap down holes are along both sides of the frame? If so, the frame has been pulled because of accident and has suffered some damage. Those crossmembers are strong but the weak point is where the frame bends in and up forward of the firewall.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: WEST MILFORD NEW JERSEY
The area that you have described is a stress zone ( coil spring ) this is a common area to have cracks. Over the years I may have welded about a dozen spring area's . Not hard to do just need to remove the spring ,drill a small hole at the end of the crack v the crack and weld ,grind it flush and refinish the frame area. Put it back together. The other crack that you speak about could be from previous damage or could also be stress.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 859
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From: Magnolia Texas
When I bought my '67 many years ago.... about 1973 or 4 as I recall, the entire cross member under the engine was broken away from the frame on the passenger side. The factory welds were split right through the middle. The only thing holding the front end together was the engine! Driving the car home after purchase was a real adventure. The torque of the 427 would make the car head for the ditch of you got on it at all. We pulled the engine, used a comealong to pull the frame back together and the cracks all closed up completely. Welded the frame and reinforced it and it's been fine ever since.
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Joined: Feb 2014
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From: MASSACHUSETTS
thanks guys i will drive it a bit this summer and will be pulling the motor and front suspension out over the winter anyway so i will pull bang and weld it up. that engine crossmember getting loose i would say mine is on its way to that and it doesnt look like it would be hard to twist those things loose after 40 plus yrs.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,659
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From: Central Arkansas
I don't remember all the details but there were actually two methods of fitting the frame parts around the front spring pockets for welding over the years. One of the methods was more prone to stress cracks and metal fatigue than the other method. But stress fractures in that area are not rare but the fix is simply to prepare the weld area and weld them up. There have been some magazine articles written on the subject - JohnZ may have authored one - not sure.
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Drifting
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: columbus ohio
When I bought my '67 many years ago.... about 1973 or 4 as I recall, the entire cross member under the engine was broken away from the frame on the passenger side. The factory welds were split right through the middle. The only thing holding the front end together was the engine! Driving the car home after purchase was a real adventure. The torque of the 427 would make the car head for the ditch of you got on it at all. We pulled the engine, used a comealong to pull the frame back together and the cracks all closed up completely. Welded the frame and reinforced it and it's been fine ever since.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4,191
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From: Corpus Christi, TX
Both my 65 and 66 big blocks developed the same crack under the passenger side front spring pocket. My 66 has a converted 70 frame, so it'd probably safe to assume this is a common problem with old, metal fatigued frames. If you develop a crack in any area near the mounting points for the front suspension you may even notice the engine twisting while viewing from the passenger compartment while turning the steering wheel back and forth. That is how I noticed the crack on my 65.
It just was a freak coincidence that the crack on my 65 developed when I got a new set of tires put on the car. It drove perfectly until I got the new tires, but afterward would pull to the left HARD under acceleration. Took me two years to figure that one out. I keep my eyes on the frame these days.
It just was a freak coincidence that the crack on my 65 developed when I got a new set of tires put on the car. It drove perfectly until I got the new tires, but afterward would pull to the left HARD under acceleration. Took me two years to figure that one out. I keep my eyes on the frame these days.