Frame Flex that much??
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 330
Likes: 0
From: Lurkerville
Frame Flex that much??
Finally got the engine back in last nite, ended up being a semi pita. With the car on jack stands I could only get one motor mount to line up, other would be half bolt hole off. After playing with it for and hour I finally got by putting the car back onto the tires, loosening mount from block and lifting just one side of motor slightly.
Is this much frame flex normal?
Is this much frame flex normal?
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
I would be under there checking every cross support weld, and looking for rust also....take a mag glass and bright light to it....
I have never had an issue with my '72 here and it's been on wheels and/or jackstands...it may depend on stand placement also....I would err on side of knowing, so to do a complete inspection...
GENE
I have never had an issue with my '72 here and it's been on wheels and/or jackstands...it may depend on stand placement also....I would err on side of knowing, so to do a complete inspection...
GENE
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,662
Likes: 8
From: Knoxville Tennessee
Your alignment problem could have been self induced. I did the same thing when I replaced the motor mounts. I centered the tranny in the tunnel. Normally, the tranny points to the right a little. This caused my problem. But to answer your question, the front flexes more than you would think. Several have welded gussets to the front shock supports to stiffen it, as well as, installing a shock tower brace. I just installed the brace and could not believe it could make that much difference!
Bernie
Bernie
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,428
Likes: 5
From: Japan
Normally when I put mine on jackstands the stands are under the lower control arm shafts, where the weight of the engine is BEHIND the stands. On the rare occasions when I have put stands behind the front wheels, the front of the frame droops- A LOT. And the frame on my C3 isn't badly rusted and the car hasn't been beat, so unless your car has rust perforation in the frame I would think that what you're seeing is (unfortunately) pretty normal. I used to vintage race an A Sedan Mustang against a number of C3 Vettes and all those guys had a triangular brace running from the forward downtube of their cage to a spot just behind the front crossmember. If you just look at the way a C3 frame is configured it doesn't lend itself to great strength in almost any direction- its primary function was to allow for ease of production and assembly, not torsional rigidity.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 330
Likes: 0
From: Lurkerville
Thanks, was hoping the flex was normal. Last thing I want is more issues. If I am lucky I will have this thing fired up by next weekend, just in time for when my son comes home before he deploys to Iraq.
Thanks again, I love this forum.
Thanks again, I love this forum.
