Wrong frame?!
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Montezuma NY
Wrong frame?!
I am new to the world of Corvettes but I am jumping in with both feet.
I have a 1965 convertible that needs a lot of work. I want to fasten the body to the frame to use it as a jig to repair some of the body, but the mounts don't appear to line up. the #1 mounts at the front are not in line with the body holes. It's as if the body is too wide by an inch. they line up for and aft though.
The number 2 frame mount is nowhere near the body area. the #3 mount looks to be OK although this is wher I need to do most of my glass work .
The rear mounts may be OK it's hard to tell 'cause the body is split just be hind the doors.
I may be concerned about nothing and I have ordered the assembly manual for this car, but what I am wondering is could this be the wrong frame for the car and how can I tell?
I have a 1965 convertible that needs a lot of work. I want to fasten the body to the frame to use it as a jig to repair some of the body, but the mounts don't appear to line up. the #1 mounts at the front are not in line with the body holes. It's as if the body is too wide by an inch. they line up for and aft though.
The number 2 frame mount is nowhere near the body area. the #3 mount looks to be OK although this is wher I need to do most of my glass work .
The rear mounts may be OK it's hard to tell 'cause the body is split just be hind the doors.
I may be concerned about nothing and I have ordered the assembly manual for this car, but what I am wondering is could this be the wrong frame for the car and how can I tell?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,620
Likes: 0
From: 20 forward gears to shift through in MD
Re: Wrong frame?! (Mark D)
Mark, one of the best ways to tell which part of the car is cockamamie is to see if you can find the serial number on the frame. On the top of the drivers side frame rail as well as up on the rail behind the kickup on the drivers side there is usually a stamped serial number that will be "5S1XXXXX". The first number is the year of the car (5=65). If this checks out (and, depending on how rusty the frame is, you may need to use a wire brush to find it) then it would indicate a correct frame for your car, next would be to take the measurements from the AIM or shop manual for the frame to determine that the frame mounts are in the correct locations. If they check out, then the problem is probably with the body (and it sounds like it has been through some form of transformation). HTH.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,145
Likes: 340
From: Just About 40 Min's from NYC
Re: Wrong frame?! (Mark D)
Am I incorrect in saying this.
All the frames from 1963 up to 1982 all have the same body mounts and the the differnce was the indentation on the front if you have a big block car or not?
Mark and others reading this
I do not know this as a fact it is a assumtion other will correct me on this
All the frames from 1963 up to 1982 all have the same body mounts and the the differnce was the indentation on the front if you have a big block car or not?
Mark and others reading this
I do not know this as a fact it is a assumtion other will correct me on this
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 944
Likes: 1
From: WA
Re: Wrong frame?! (Mark D)
Mark D, maybe this will help you get started. These measurements will get you started and they are approx. Like Denney said the AIM will help too. I measured my frame, which I know is square. I had no one around to hold the tape so some of these are not hole to hole. I hooked the tape on #1 hole on frame and measured diagonal to #3 mounting hole center and got 103 1/4 inches and V.V. from opposite #1 to opposite #3. I hooked the tape in #1 hole and measured diagonal to #2 mounting hole center and got 75 inches and V.V. from opposite #1 to opposite #2. From #1 to #1 and center of hole to center of hole, I got 55 1/4 inches. I hooked tape in #1 hole and measured straight back to #2 hole centered and got 51 inches, the same for the other side. Again, these are approx., at least to get you started. Also I took all measurements across the top of the frame.
Good luck, Craig :cheers:
[Modified by Cmacsvette, 7:14 PM 10/12/2002]
Good luck, Craig :cheers:
[Modified by Cmacsvette, 7:14 PM 10/12/2002]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,501
Likes: 0
Re: Wrong frame?! (Ih2lose)
Am I incorrect in saying this.
All the frames from 1963 up to 1982 all have the same body mounts and the the differnce was the indentation on the front if you have a big block car or not?
All the frames from 1963 up to 1982 all have the same body mounts and the the differnce was the indentation on the front if you have a big block car or not?
