1968 Conv needs a frame
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,514
Likes: 1,955
From: Plano IL
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1968 Conv needs a frame
Customer wants to do a driver restoration
The frame is bad in the normal spots
Is the C3 frame the same from 68 up
If no what are the differences
The car is a 427 390 Conv car
Any info or point me to the correct info and I will pass it on
Thanks
Chris
The frame is bad in the normal spots
Is the C3 frame the same from 68 up
If no what are the differences
The car is a 427 390 Conv car
Any info or point me to the correct info and I will pass it on
Thanks
Chris
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
No. The crash bumper years have slightly different frames.
Makes no difference for a frame. Transmission makes a difference. AT frames have removable crossmembers.
Have your customer donate $100 to the Forum for professional services rendered.
...The car is a 427 390 Conv car...
Have your customer donate $100 to the Forum for professional services rendered.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 359
Likes: 13
From: Elma NY
There is a small difference 68 core support bolts to the bottom front frame 69-73 bolts to side also the E brake cable on68 goes under frame 69-73 goes through rear cross member.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,684
Likes: 3,137
From: Shamong, NJ
A 68-79 frame is your best bet. Other than the rear crosmember, and the location of some holes, the 68-79's frames aren't all that much different.
An extra pair of reinforcements were added to the kick up area of the frame, during 68, otherwise 68-72 frames are pretty much the same. 73-74 frames are similar, but the body mounts are lower, to accomadate the rubber body mount cushions used starting in 73, and the location of bumper bracket holes changed.
The rear crossmember changed significantly for 75-77, because of the switch to rear bumper impact absorbing shocks, but it's not a big deal to swap the 68 crossmember onto the later frame.
The rear crossmember changed again on the 78-79 frames, and the gas tank crossmember changed, because of the new tank used with the big rear window body.
The 80-82 frames changed somewhat significantly, and take the most work to adapt to an earlier car. The holes for the exhaust pipes were removed from the 80-82 trans crossmember, and the differential crossmember was eliminated all together. 80-82's used the "bat wing" rear that incorporated the differential mount and crossmember, into the rear end itself.
An extra pair of reinforcements were added to the kick up area of the frame, during 68, otherwise 68-72 frames are pretty much the same. 73-74 frames are similar, but the body mounts are lower, to accomadate the rubber body mount cushions used starting in 73, and the location of bumper bracket holes changed.
The rear crossmember changed significantly for 75-77, because of the switch to rear bumper impact absorbing shocks, but it's not a big deal to swap the 68 crossmember onto the later frame.
The rear crossmember changed again on the 78-79 frames, and the gas tank crossmember changed, because of the new tank used with the big rear window body.
The 80-82 frames changed somewhat significantly, and take the most work to adapt to an earlier car. The holes for the exhaust pipes were removed from the 80-82 trans crossmember, and the differential crossmember was eliminated all together. 80-82's used the "bat wing" rear that incorporated the differential mount and crossmember, into the rear end itself.
