Frame
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 261
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis Missouri
Frame
I have a matching number 1968 that is a grreat 10' car. The front frame was bent some years ago and I would like to correct. The question is should I buy a complete frame or cut off and weld on just the front from the windshield forward to retain the matching number frame?
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From: Cape Cod, Mass.
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How badly bent is the frame? They can be straightened unless it is very badly damaged.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,548
Likes: 379
From: Woodinville WA
cut the numbers off the new frame and weld your numbers onto it? that'd be pretty easy to do.
Generally speaking, when a frame is hit hard enough to be un-straightenable the damage goes to the rear bumper. In addition, the frame ends up in a parallelogram shape (rather than square), and, because everything on the frame is tied together, it'll move the opposite side rail as well.
Most frame shops, when they pull a frame back after damage, are looking to get the suspension mounting points to where they belong or where it can be aligned - they don't care (because to make it perfect, if possible, would increase the time involved exponentially - and most people freak at the additional cost).... thus, if it got hit hard enough to move a suspension mounting point, you can be certain that there's other non-factory bends in the frame. (to be clear, this is NOT an indictment of frame shops - they do what the customer wants, the car to drive as well post-accident as it did before.)
Generally speaking, when a frame is hit hard enough to be un-straightenable the damage goes to the rear bumper. In addition, the frame ends up in a parallelogram shape (rather than square), and, because everything on the frame is tied together, it'll move the opposite side rail as well.
Most frame shops, when they pull a frame back after damage, are looking to get the suspension mounting points to where they belong or where it can be aligned - they don't care (because to make it perfect, if possible, would increase the time involved exponentially - and most people freak at the additional cost).... thus, if it got hit hard enough to move a suspension mounting point, you can be certain that there's other non-factory bends in the frame. (to be clear, this is NOT an indictment of frame shops - they do what the customer wants, the car to drive as well post-accident as it did before.)
Last edited by SuperBuickGuy; Jan 4, 2013 at 10:28 AM.
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IMO if the frame cannot be straightened and is beyond repair you need a new frame. The numbers on the frame are so difficult to see with the body on I think any attempt to cut/weld your old numbers on the new frame would draw more attention to the repair than necessary.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,548
Likes: 379
From: Woodinville WA
IMO if the frame cannot be straightened and is beyond repair you need a new frame. The numbers on the frame are so difficult to see with the body on I think any attempt to cut/weld your old numbers on the new frame would draw more attention to the repair than necessary.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Check with the DMV first. Cutting and welding numbers could be illegal.
Not really. One of the numbers cannot be seen with the body on the frame. The second number is sometimes visible but it takes a concerted effort to find it and actually be able to read it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,145
Likes: 283
From: cary Il
That's more than bent. That's bent all to H*ll.
Check with the DMV first. Cutting and welding numbers could be illegal.
Not really. One of the numbers cannot be seen with the body on the frame. The second number is sometimes visible but it takes a concerted effort to find it and actually be able to read it.
Check with the DMV first. Cutting and welding numbers could be illegal.
Not really. One of the numbers cannot be seen with the body on the frame. The second number is sometimes visible but it takes a concerted effort to find it and actually be able to read it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,027
Likes: 501
From: myrtle beach sc
Army
Most original 68 frames do not have the extra kick-up channels that were added for strength,I think in very late 68's and 69- up frames. I highly recommend getting a frame with the removable transmission cross member, for a 4-speed. It sure makes life easier! Lou.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,548
Likes: 379
From: Woodinville WA
It's a crime to alter the VIN in the commission of a crime. Therefore, if you're not committing a crime, it's not illegal. What's not illegal is legal. I get to explain this often - there's a thing called a moral law, which could apply in this case; but moral law and US law don't live in the zip code.... one guides behavior, the other punishes criminals - but for you to be a criminal you must break the law.
clear as mud?
