Straightened Frame?
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
Straightened Frame?
When I bought this car, the guy said he'd replaced the rusted frame with a used one. Found out after it was a frame from a rollover that he had straightened. Question is, how good can a twisted and straightened frame really be? Anybody done or heard of this?
I've also got copies of emails from him to the frame shop complaining that it wasn't straight the first time they fixed it either, which makes me doubt the credibility and quality of the job in the first place. Would a credible body or frame shop be able to check it properly with the body still on it?
I've also got copies of emails from him to the frame shop complaining that it wasn't straight the first time they fixed it either, which makes me doubt the credibility and quality of the job in the first place. Would a credible body or frame shop be able to check it properly with the body still on it?
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,198
Likes: 4,287
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi 2Q,
I agree that a frame shop will be able to tell you how straight the frame is.
I'd think that checking the number of shims on the upper a-arms, body mounts, trailing arms, core support, and bumper brackets, (if it has bumpers), will give you some hints about the frame. Unusually large numbers of shims and washers used as spacers are often compensating for something.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
I agree that a frame shop will be able to tell you how straight the frame is.
I'd think that checking the number of shims on the upper a-arms, body mounts, trailing arms, core support, and bumper brackets, (if it has bumpers), will give you some hints about the frame. Unusually large numbers of shims and washers used as spacers are often compensating for something.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,709
Likes: 3
From: Savannah GA
Frames are routinely straightened to factory dimension after wrecks. Of course, just like everything else there are shops which possess the correct equipment and talented techs to do a fabulous job, and some which are less well equipped.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
The upper arms are only a few shims difference, its the trailing arms that are raising the red flag, well, the drivers side one anyway.
The arm had been repaired (since I planned on replacing it anyway, wasn't worried). But upon looking closer and measuring it, the left arm is almost 1/2" longer than the right, and yet the wheels are fairly centered in the well. The measurement from that corner of the frame to the wheel opening is the same on both sides, as well the bumper brackets fit fairly similar on both sides. Could the trailing arm mounting holes themselves be bent in? Or ovalled? Don't suppose there's a way to fix that without pulling the body?
The arm had been repaired (since I planned on replacing it anyway, wasn't worried). But upon looking closer and measuring it, the left arm is almost 1/2" longer than the right, and yet the wheels are fairly centered in the well. The measurement from that corner of the frame to the wheel opening is the same on both sides, as well the bumper brackets fit fairly similar on both sides. Could the trailing arm mounting holes themselves be bent in? Or ovalled? Don't suppose there's a way to fix that without pulling the body?
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 941
Likes: 10
You did no mention what year frame your dealing with. However the FSM in the Body Section has measurements that can be used to access is the frame is tweaked. A quality frame shop can bring it back to factory specs. Providing you only have a bent frame and not rust issues combines with the bent frame. I am presently putting a 80 frame under my 73 body. I took my frame to a large frame shop to have them check it. With lasers and other measuring equipment, they verified my frame was within factory spec.
8Valve
8Valve
Last edited by 8valve; Aug 30, 2012 at 04:25 PM. Reason: addition
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
The car is a 72, but not sure the year of the frame. I'll have to dig through the (3 inch thick) stack of reciepts the guy gave me and see if I can find it. The frame had been straightened, cleaned, and coated. No rust anywhere on this thing, and since everything has been apart just ten years ago, it's soooo easy to take apart. Not to mention the tilt front makes working on it an absolute dream....
Complete side note question, has anyone looked into or done it with modding the motor mounts to set the engine centered and slightly lower? Looks like there's plenty of room and would be pretty easy.
Complete side note question, has anyone looked into or done it with modding the motor mounts to set the engine centered and slightly lower? Looks like there's plenty of room and would be pretty easy.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,832
Likes: 38
From: Cedar,BC
All of them?I'm willing to bet more than one was an absolute mess of added up missed specs and tolerances and required more than a tweak or two to get anywhere near driveable alignment settings...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
.
Last edited by TheSkunkWorks; Aug 31, 2012 at 12:17 PM.
