Ever seen this?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,196
Likes: 47
From: Scarborough Maine Fredericksburg VA
Ever seen this?
I need to ask this again as I do not have an answer yet. In the pics below you can see that the frame horns from my 72 frame do not fit the "new frame" that I bought as a 72 frame. 3 of the 4 holes line up and this is the only thing I can find different on the frame. The "new" frame holes are oblong where the old frame are round. The frame does not have the differences on the rear that you would see on a 74 and up frame. Could it be a 68 or a 73?
Most important can I just drill the 4th hole out? Has anyone else been here?
Thanks
Most important can I just drill the 4th hole out? Has anyone else been here?
Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 10
From: Austin TX
If you're saying the holes on front bumper support from your 73 don't fit the holes in the 72 frame horns or vice-versa, yes, drill some holes,..no problem. Just make sure the front support is in the correct location and drill the holes a bit over-sized to allow for some adjustment. Then use your big serated washers.
Or, do I not understand the problem?
Or, do I not understand the problem?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,196
Likes: 47
From: Scarborough Maine Fredericksburg VA
I think that is the problem - I have a 72 and bought what was supposed to be a 72 frame. When I went to put the pieces from my original frame back on the "new" frame one of the holes is different. If I bolt it to the other 3, including the 2 that have the nut welded to the frame, it looks and measures like it did on the 72.
My questions are 1. if anyone new what year the frame would have been different 2. are there any other differences that need to be fixed and 3 could I just drill a hole for bolt number 4
I rally don't want to spend a few hundred hours and find out the body/bumpers don't fit when I put it back together.
My questions are 1. if anyone new what year the frame would have been different 2. are there any other differences that need to be fixed and 3 could I just drill a hole for bolt number 4
I rally don't want to spend a few hundred hours and find out the body/bumpers don't fit when I put it back together.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
If you have a 73 frame the body mounts will be a little lower to compensate for the change to rubber body mounts. You can measure from the top of the frame to the top of the mounts to see if the 2 frames are different.
Rick B.
Rick B.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,196
Likes: 47
From: Scarborough Maine Fredericksburg VA
Thanks for that tip. Imeasured and they are the same - you do mean the cage that holds the nut right? If so I wonder if the frame was from something earlier or just had the holes off - seems unlikely as it would have had to match the frame horn from whatever year it is.
I really hope this is the only difference! I have a lot of hours in the frame already with sandblasting and painting.
I really hope this is the only difference! I have a lot of hours in the frame already with sandblasting and painting.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,562
Likes: 2
From: Spring Texas
There should be vin numbers on the frame that would enable you to determine the year frame that you have. For frame differences over the life of the c2/c3 chassis, look in this link. http://www.71corvette.com/frames.html
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,196
Likes: 47
From: Scarborough Maine Fredericksburg VA
Thanks 71rdstr. I went to the web site and there is no mention of this change in the frame. The part that bolts on is the same from 69-72 so I assume the bolt pattern is the same and in 75 the rear of the frame radicaly changed.
I e-mailed the author of that site and will see if he has any thoughts.
Right now I am going to try a few other brackets as well as bolt on the front crossmember to see if it fits.
I e-mailed the author of that site and will see if he has any thoughts.
Right now I am going to try a few other brackets as well as bolt on the front crossmember to see if it fits.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,029
Likes: 94
From: meraux LA
I just checked the frame of my 69 with the 73 frame I purchased to speed up my rebuild, and the bolt hole pattern is different. I know about the difference in height of the body mounts,but this is something new.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,196
Likes: 47
From: Scarborough Maine Fredericksburg VA
I am curious, does one of them have oblong holes and the other one round? It is the two rear ones that are differnt on mine with one being almost in line verticaly and the other being about one inch back.
I don't think I have a 73 as the body mounts appear the same on both. I will try and get a better picture. Bottom line for me is knowing if there are other differences that I need to address before rebuilding the "new" frame.
I don't think I have a 73 as the body mounts appear the same on both. I will try and get a better picture. Bottom line for me is knowing if there are other differences that I need to address before rebuilding the "new" frame.