Hello all fellow C3'rs. I have a question regarding frames. I have a 73 with an automatic and the frame has been damaged a long time ago. Has a 3/8" lean on the drivers side due to bent up kick up. I'm looking at a frame that's for a manual car. Other than the cross member is there any other differences that I need to be aware of if I decide to keep the automatic? Can I put in a manual trans later if I make the cross member removable like the automatic? Are the cross members in different locations as far as where the trans mounts up? Or should I just get it, rat hole it until I get all the pieces and make the car a manual? Thinking of options. The frame has a good price and is in great condition.
Thanks
Or am I just talking

 

I think it will work, but good to make the crossmember removable regardless. The manual frames also have a bracket for the Z bar.

 

It will definitely work if it's the correct year frame. The crossmember is in the same place, just welded in on a manual car. You will want to make the crossmember removable. Not hard.
Just make certain it's the correct year frame.
No point in buying a frame from a 79 for instance.
If you decide to go manual in the future the Z bar bracket will already be in place, bonus! A removable crossmember is a good thing even with a manual. Just make certain of the year of that frame. They are not all the same.

 

Same year frame. Thanks for the input so far.

 

Frames: For several years, GM Parts sold the 1973 frame as a service replacement for 1968 through 1973 C3 frames. I ordered a frame for a manual so it came with the frame mounted bracket for the clutch assembly Z bar. The tranny crossmember was, of course, welded in. The cross member fits with either the manual or automatic tranny.

My opinion: You should convert the tranny crossmember to a removable configuration. It greatly facilitates removing the tranny to service the clutch. I had my 1968 frame converted to a removable configuration. Here's a picture of the tranny crossmember now.

The work was done by J&D Corvette in Bellflower, CA. The brackets shown here, on the tranny crossmember, were fabricated by J&D. They converted my 1970 to the same removable configuration two weeks ago. The brackets used for this conversion were purchased by me from the internet. Paid $99. Forget who the vendor was.
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Notice the rusty headers and exhaust pipes for my N14 factory sidepipes. I'm now in the process of transitioning to an all stainless steel configuration of headers and mufflers. Stainless steel headers by Sanderson Headers in San Francisco, stainless steel sidepipe mufflers by Hi Flow Performance in Michigan.