Body/frame and sidepipe questions
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 308
Likes: 18
From: Sweden
Body/frame and sidepipe questions
I'm in the process of intalling my body on the frame and I have a few questions.
1) As I have sidepipes, there is supposed to be insulation in the rocker channel between the frame and the body. However, to me this seems to be a moisture trap. On my car the frame was totaly rusted away in the top of this area, and the rocker channels were also almost gone. (But pieces of the insulation was still there...)
I'm thinking of leaving this insulation out, and apply a custom made insúlation "sleeve" to the actual sidepipe instead. Opinions?
2) Because I have installed rocker channel inserts, there is very little space between the rocker channel and the frame, and the frame rail heat shields does not fit. What is the purpose of these really?
Can I leave them out, or should I just cut them smaller and try to tuck them in?
3) I have the body mounts nicely aligned sideways, but still the steering coulmn and the steering box does not line up. Looks like the steering box is 1/2in to the left. How sould I tackle this?
4) Where exactly does the insulation to the right in the picture fit? The assembly picture is not very helpful... I know it's at the end of the sidepipe, but more specific?
1) As I have sidepipes, there is supposed to be insulation in the rocker channel between the frame and the body. However, to me this seems to be a moisture trap. On my car the frame was totaly rusted away in the top of this area, and the rocker channels were also almost gone. (But pieces of the insulation was still there...)
I'm thinking of leaving this insulation out, and apply a custom made insúlation "sleeve" to the actual sidepipe instead. Opinions?
2) Because I have installed rocker channel inserts, there is very little space between the rocker channel and the frame, and the frame rail heat shields does not fit. What is the purpose of these really?
Can I leave them out, or should I just cut them smaller and try to tuck them in?
3) I have the body mounts nicely aligned sideways, but still the steering coulmn and the steering box does not line up. Looks like the steering box is 1/2in to the left. How sould I tackle this?
4) Where exactly does the insulation to the right in the picture fit? The assembly picture is not very helpful... I know it's at the end of the sidepipe, but more specific?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 836
Likes: 26
From: Harrisburg Pa
On My 69 with Hooker side pipes I left all insulation out because it just not needed. on stock pipes there is heat insulation between the pipe and stock shield with some stuffed up between the frame, I would not install the insulation at the frame because of the known rust problems.
If you pipes are to close to the body it might burn the glass but I dont think the stock side pipe mufflers come that close.
On your steering column line up, did you use the alignment holes under the door sill plate, one on each side lines up the body to frame.
also you can move the steering column a little to help alignment. you probable loosend this up to remove the body.
If you pipes are to close to the body it might burn the glass but I dont think the stock side pipe mufflers come that close.
On your steering column line up, did you use the alignment holes under the door sill plate, one on each side lines up the body to frame.
also you can move the steering column a little to help alignment. you probable loosend this up to remove the body.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,237
Likes: 4,328
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi J,
I'll comment on the insulation.
The dark piece was installed on all cars on the production line. It was placed on the frame near the number 2 body mount before the body was dropped. It's location is shown in the AIM and the piece can be seen in pictures of chassis' on the production line. Since your body is off at the moment there's no reason not to use it. I think trimming it to fit would be worth the effort.
The second piece I'm unsure about. The long tail got folded into a right angle to the rest of it and it was slipped into the rocker space from the rear. But, I'm not sure how the body was trimmed to allow that. Sorry!
Regards,
Alan
I'll comment on the insulation.
The dark piece was installed on all cars on the production line. It was placed on the frame near the number 2 body mount before the body was dropped. It's location is shown in the AIM and the piece can be seen in pictures of chassis' on the production line. Since your body is off at the moment there's no reason not to use it. I think trimming it to fit would be worth the effort.
The second piece I'm unsure about. The long tail got folded into a right angle to the rest of it and it was slipped into the rocker space from the rear. But, I'm not sure how the body was trimmed to allow that. Sorry!
Regards,
Alan
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 308
Likes: 18
From: Sweden
Tom,
Thanks. I'll skip that part of the insulation then.
I think the body/frame is as good as it gets, but the steering column and steering box axle seems to be differnt in side, different height and different angle. Can I loosen the column in some way to adjust it? I guess there must be some room for height difference since the body can be shimmed differently. The steering coupler will adjust for some of it, but how much?
Alan,
Thanks for input. Since the heat shield (dark piece) is of a pretty "firm" material I figured it may had some more purpose than just heat insulation, like holding the body during body drop or something?
If the purpose is to stop hot air from the engine go follow the frame rails backwards, I cant really see that being a big problem compared to (in my case) the sidepipes that are just 2 inches away? Anyway, I will try to trim it and get as much of it possible in there, but the rocker channel inserts are a pretty tight fit on the frame rails.
Thanks. I'll skip that part of the insulation then.
I think the body/frame is as good as it gets, but the steering column and steering box axle seems to be differnt in side, different height and different angle. Can I loosen the column in some way to adjust it? I guess there must be some room for height difference since the body can be shimmed differently. The steering coupler will adjust for some of it, but how much?
Alan,
Thanks for input. Since the heat shield (dark piece) is of a pretty "firm" material I figured it may had some more purpose than just heat insulation, like holding the body during body drop or something?
If the purpose is to stop hot air from the engine go follow the frame rails backwards, I cant really see that being a big problem compared to (in my case) the sidepipes that are just 2 inches away? Anyway, I will try to trim it and get as much of it possible in there, but the rocker channel inserts are a pretty tight fit on the frame rails.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 575
Likes: 3
From: Tampa / Ft. Myers FL
The only place (both sides) on my frame i had rust through were where those foam pieces were. But since it's not out in the weather I'll be replacing them; if i can ever get the body back on that is... I'm putting factory sidepipes on so i guess i need to do a bit of research on the other 'insulators' mentioned above.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,570
Likes: 1
From: Algonac Michigan
Knowing I was going with sidepipes when I restored my'69 I left mine off with no ill effects.
When and if the foam gets wet it will stay wet for a while. I saw no reason to take the chance...However I drive mine in everything but salty roads.
When and if the foam gets wet it will stay wet for a while. I saw no reason to take the chance...However I drive mine in everything but salty roads.
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