Reinforcing frame

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Feb 21, 2007 | 01:01 PM

cmerrick

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From: Western MA

Reinforcing frame

Recently I picked up a nice 74 frame for a build up. It will see occasional road racing and be somewhere in the vacinity of 500HP. What areas of the frame should be reinforced or gussetted.

Thanks

Feb 21, 2007 | 01:22 PM

Godfathers Ghost

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From: Onley VA

The ft control arm/shock towers. You can get or fab a spreader bar to tie them together. Make sure the trans crossmember is very secure, the atachments are prone to rust and will loosen up. Add rear end crossmember reinforcements available from VB&P and others, they're thick aluminum disks that attach were the c.m. bushings are. Add a poly bushing for the front rearend mount to go with them. These are simple inexpensive ways to help, but there are many other more elaberate things that can be done. Any triangulation, gussets in areas like the rear kick-up and crossmembers, and of course a rollcage will work wonders for ridgidity.

Feb 21, 2007 | 01:36 PM

willem wallace

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Joined: Sep 2005

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From: whitman massachusetts

Frame

Hey Merrick,
I am also from MA., and also have a 1971 roadster, small world! Check this site out for some of your modifications. Be sure to follow all the way through on the frame section, as a couple of the gussets he installs arte totally wrong, but the others look like they will help with frame flex. www.corvette-restoration.com I am in the middle of a frame off on my car, looking for parts sources/ as it is a basketcase with lots missing. Do you have any parts for sale?
Michael

Feb 21, 2007 | 02:08 PM

norvalwilhelm

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From: Waterloo ontario Canada

Quote:

Originally Posted by willem wallace

as a couple of the gussets he installs arte totally wrong, Michael

How can a gusset be totally wrong unless it runs into something??? I would like to see a picture of a wrong gusset.
I have posted alot on gusseting the frame. Maybe do a search.

These are a few links to some of my posts
http://www.digitalcorvettes.com/foru...ad.php?t=68803
http://www.digitalcorvettes.com/foru...ad.php?t=67187
http://www.digitalcorvettes.com/foru...ad.php?t=67264
http://www.digitalcorvettes.com/foru...ad.php?t=66368
http://www.digitalcorvettes.com/foru...ad.php?t=66095

Last edited by norvalwilhelm; Feb 21, 2007 at 02:13 PM.

Feb 21, 2007 | 02:15 PM

Godfathers Ghost

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From: Onley VA

Quote:

Originally Posted by norvalwilhelm

How can a gusset be totally wrong unless it runs into something??? I would like to see a picture of a wrong gusset.
I have posted alot on gusseting the frame. Maybe do a search.

Only if its in a spot that strucurely does not need it, then its just adding weight. But you gotta be really clueless to be that wrong.

Feb 21, 2007 | 02:21 PM

norvalwilhelm

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From: Waterloo ontario Canada

Quote:

Originally Posted by Godfathers Ghost

Only if its in a spot that strucurely does not need it, then its just adding weight. But you gotta be really clueless to be that wrong.

A good spot for a gusset is on the outside of the frame rail at the steering box. That hole should be plated over as well as re inforcing the frame at that location.
I also plate around the bend.

Feb 21, 2007 | 02:32 PM

TimAT

Le Mans Master

Joined: Oct 2006

Posts: 7,123

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From: Gladstone MO

C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019

All the things that everyone else has mentioned, AND reweld the whole frame- go to full length welds on the rails. The factory just skip welded them. The old Chevy performance book pointed out the area around the steering box too.

Feb 21, 2007 | 02:40 PM

willem wallace

Burning Brakes

Joined: Sep 2005

Posts: 895

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From: whitman massachusetts

How?

Check out the info before you start running your mouth!

Quote:

Originally Posted by norvalwilhelm

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Feb 21, 2007 | 03:28 PM

V-Twin

Burning Brakes

Joined: Feb 2000

Posts: 1,246

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Quote:

Originally Posted by willem wallace

as a couple of the gussets he installs arte totally wrong

Can you please point out which ones are wrong? From reading here the gussets are not only for frame flex but also for reinforcing some areas that could use the extra strength.

Feb 21, 2007 | 04:45 PM

#10

cmerrick

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From: Western MA

Thanks for the info and links. I'll go through them tonight once I get home.

Feb 21, 2007 | 05:45 PM

#11

redvetracr

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From: WI

as TimAt pointed out...get an older copy of the Chevy Power book just make sure it has the Corvette chassis section...you can ususlly find one on ebay.
...redvetracr

Feb 21, 2007 | 06:36 PM

#12

Yellow73SB

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Joined: Nov 2004

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St. Jude Donor '07

Quote:

Originally Posted by willem wallace

Wow you couldn't be more off

Feb 21, 2007 | 07:36 PM

#13

norvalwilhelm

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From: Waterloo ontario Canada

Quote:

Originally Posted by willem wallace

Check out the info before you start running your mouth!

Are you talking to me???

Feb 21, 2007 | 07:44 PM

#14

norvalwilhelm

Race Director

Joined: Nov 2000

Posts: 11,872

Likes: 12

From: Waterloo ontario Canada

Quote:

Originally Posted by V-Twin

Can you please point out which ones are wrong? From reading here the gussets are not only for frame flex but also for reinforcing some areas that could use the extra strength.

He put one under the steering box and when the box is installed it will hit this gusset. that comes under the heading of putting it in a place where it runs into something.

Feb 21, 2007 | 08:48 PM

#15

68 NJConv 454

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jan 2006

Posts: 3,028

Likes: 2

From: North NJ

Quote:

Originally Posted by norvalwilhelm

He put one under the steering box and when the box is installed it will hit this gusset. that comes under the heading of putting it in a place where it runs into something.

It also looked like his mech fuel pump would have hit one of the gussets so he grinded a little indent to it.

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