68 with crack in frame behind driver door.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
From: Demotte In
68 with crack in frame behind driver door.
Hello All
I just found a crack in my frame on a 68 vette. The crack is behind the drivers side door where the rear half of the frame meets the frame under the door.
Looks like someone repaired it before by welding plates on the bottom up the curved part of the frame reattaching the rear half to the frame under the door.
Could this be an easy fix or would the frame need to be replaced?
The car is a suvivor and 327 numbers matching. I have tons of money in this car rebuilding the engine, drive train, cooling system etc. runs great
Any opinoins? Is the car worth a new frame for about $6,000.00?
What is a 327 HE, 4 speed, t-tops, bare bones vette worth these days with a frame off restore? Because the shop would rebuild all bushings, rear bearings, front bushings, etc.
Thanks
ed
I just found a crack in my frame on a 68 vette. The crack is behind the drivers side door where the rear half of the frame meets the frame under the door.
Looks like someone repaired it before by welding plates on the bottom up the curved part of the frame reattaching the rear half to the frame under the door.
Could this be an easy fix or would the frame need to be replaced?
The car is a suvivor and 327 numbers matching. I have tons of money in this car rebuilding the engine, drive train, cooling system etc. runs great
Any opinoins? Is the car worth a new frame for about $6,000.00?
What is a 327 HE, 4 speed, t-tops, bare bones vette worth these days with a frame off restore? Because the shop would rebuild all bushings, rear bearings, front bushings, etc.
Thanks
ed
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,343
Likes: 4
From: Anderson SC
They sell most frame sections. You can replace the section much cheaper. Several members here have good used frames to sell as well.
The big issue is not the money... It's all the work to replace / repair the frame right.
And yes... any numbers matching chrome bumper car is "worth" the work in the long run.
-W
The big issue is not the money... It's all the work to replace / repair the frame right.
And yes... any numbers matching chrome bumper car is "worth" the work in the long run.
-W
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,315
Likes: 4,417
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi ed,
I agree with W that you need to assess the condition of the rest of the frame before you consider replacing it. A repair while not easy, will be easier and cheaper than a new frame, IF, it's not needed.
Some pictures of the situation will get you some good opinions.
Regards,
Alan
I agree with W that you need to assess the condition of the rest of the frame before you consider replacing it. A repair while not easy, will be easier and cheaper than a new frame, IF, it's not needed.
Some pictures of the situation will get you some good opinions.
Regards,
Alan
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Find a welder that is familiar with Corvettes and have him (or her)look at it. If all the damage is low then it can be repaired properly and without compromise. I've had several done in that area over the years but my welder guy informed me last summer he is done with that kind of work.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
From: Demotte In
68 with crack in frame behind driver door.
Thanks
I have looked on line at Corvette central's frame detail and under the car more.
It looks like the driver side has rusted through at the connection point between the bottom of the kick-up mount, differential cross member, and the side frame rails where they all meet together. They both could use a replacement the cross member is good and solid.
The passenger side looks real good and the frame around the engine compartment. The rear end by the gas tank is so so - not eaten but rusty.
Anyone konw a good frame welder in NW indiana?
Anyone ever here of ZIP-Corvette.Com? They have frame repair kits for the corvettes even 68's.
Thanks
ed
I have looked on line at Corvette central's frame detail and under the car more.
It looks like the driver side has rusted through at the connection point between the bottom of the kick-up mount, differential cross member, and the side frame rails where they all meet together. They both could use a replacement the cross member is good and solid.
The passenger side looks real good and the frame around the engine compartment. The rear end by the gas tank is so so - not eaten but rusty.
Anyone konw a good frame welder in NW indiana?
Anyone ever here of ZIP-Corvette.Com? They have frame repair kits for the corvettes even 68's.
Thanks
ed
Last edited by 68blueshark; Apr 24, 2010 at 09:41 PM. Reason: add items
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Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Isn't ZIP-Corvette another 'group' along with ZIP-Products? The logo looks the same. If so, ZIP is a good supplier of Corvette parts. The frame components look like the right pieces to do the frame reinforcing correctly. Now all you need to do is find a frame shop to do the work. With the money you already have invested in the car, that's certainly the way to go. Just check out the repair place thoroughly to know that they can do the work well and that they are reputable. Write out all instructions...in detail...as to what you want done. Include photos for clarity and keep copies of all that material. Include the instructions with the "work order" the shop generates and add completion dates so you don't get 'lost' in their pile of work.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: lafayette indiana
u can repair this from inside the frame(assuming frame is repairable and not ate up with rust northern in lots of salt)and when finished u will never see it.welding patches over the outside is not way to go
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Sorry...I don't know how you would weld the "kickup" section of the frame from the inside. 
In 'blind' areas on the frame, you will have to weld to solid steel on the outside. As long as you can get to "good steel", strength will be the same whether repaired on the 'inside' or the 'outside'.
Anyway, if you find a good frame shop they will know the best way to fix your problems. And it will sure be a lot easier and less expensive than replacing the frame!!!
In 'blind' areas on the frame, you will have to weld to solid steel on the outside. As long as you can get to "good steel", strength will be the same whether repaired on the 'inside' or the 'outside'.Anyway, if you find a good frame shop they will know the best way to fix your problems. And it will sure be a lot easier and less expensive than replacing the frame!!!
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: lafayette indiana
if its under the door before the kickup section your refering to its alittle harder to do if its above the trailing arm its real easy i cant tell by not looking.u support frame on both sides and remove a section out of the side or bottom of frame with a plasma cutter(torch would work to)this gives u accsess to the inner frame drill holes in frame on both sides of crack or damage cut metal to fit the further u move away from crack the stronger in will be i do all 4 sides weld in place and fill in plug welds replace part u cut out and weld grind smooth u will hardly notice the repair when done
Platinum Supporting Vendor
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,309
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From: Mechanicsville VA
I hope that helps with the confusion.
Thanks for the praise.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
From: Demotte In
68 cracked frame
Hello
How can I post pics of the frame here?
I posted a pic of the frame crack in C3 parts and mechanical gallery under 68blueshark cracked frame.
FYI
Zip does have more frame repair parts than Corvette central and Mid America corvette.
thanks
Ed
How can I post pics of the frame here?
I posted a pic of the frame crack in C3 parts and mechanical gallery under 68blueshark cracked frame.
FYI
Zip does have more frame repair parts than Corvette central and Mid America corvette.
thanks
Ed
Last edited by 68blueshark; Apr 27, 2010 at 12:39 AM. Reason: added text
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 971
Likes: 45
From: Middlesex NJ
My 48" section came from vetteproducts.
You can get various lengths of complete frame sections that you attach to your frame via sleeves just like they do when installing late model suspensions in street rods. Or you can get just the parts you need and install them.
You can also get a complete new frame from them for about $4k. All depends what you want to spend and what you can do yourself.
You wont really know how bad the frame is until you take the body off. Then you find bird cage problems if your frame is that bad.
http://www.vetteproducts.net/
69-74 Rear Frame ***'y (from Cowl Back W/ Auto Trans) 16020 2149.00 Each
69-74 Rear Frame Assy (behind #2 Crossmember) 16030 2049.00 Each
69-74 Rear Frame Assy (from Cowl Back) W/ Manual Transmission 17044 2449.00 Each
You can get various lengths of complete frame sections that you attach to your frame via sleeves just like they do when installing late model suspensions in street rods. Or you can get just the parts you need and install them.
You can also get a complete new frame from them for about $4k. All depends what you want to spend and what you can do yourself.
You wont really know how bad the frame is until you take the body off. Then you find bird cage problems if your frame is that bad.
http://www.vetteproducts.net/
69-74 Rear Frame ***'y (from Cowl Back W/ Auto Trans) 16020 2149.00 Each
69-74 Rear Frame Assy (behind #2 Crossmember) 16030 2049.00 Each
69-74 Rear Frame Assy (from Cowl Back) W/ Manual Transmission 17044 2449.00 Each
Last edited by mysixtynine; Apr 27, 2010 at 10:21 AM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
From: Demotte In
Hello All
I just want to thank all of you for your input. I just want to repair the frame to make the car safe- this is NOt a trailer Queen or a Bloomington Gold certification car even though it is all original.
I drive both of my vettes the way vettes are ment to be driven. I want the car safe enough to go down the drag stip and to tear up a mustange LOL- you got to tame the ponies- Sharks like horse meat.
I just want to thank all of you for your input. I just want to repair the frame to make the car safe- this is NOt a trailer Queen or a Bloomington Gold certification car even though it is all original.
I drive both of my vettes the way vettes are ment to be driven. I want the car safe enough to go down the drag stip and to tear up a mustange LOL- you got to tame the ponies- Sharks like horse meat.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
