Frame reinforcement
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 167
Likes: 2
From: BLACKSBURG VA
Frame reinforcement
I am doing a body off on a 73 convertible. I have stripped everything off the frame and am sand blasting it. I have found a few cracked welds and rewelded them and I am welding all the skipped spots on for a solid welded frame. What else should I do to strengthen the frame? Thanks!
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,968
Likes: 44
From: East TN
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,442
Likes: 967
From: Tennessee/Rhode Island
Mike80,
There is some great info in that attachment. i would add installing a spreader bar in front connecting the shock towers and, especially in a convertible, a shark bar behind the seats in the interior which ties the frame together higher up almost like a roll bar would. I have a spreader bar on my 78 which is not a convertible obviously and it made a tremendous difference in the rigidity of the frame as well as a modified shark bar attachment behind the rear seats with a rigid attachment of the floor seatbelt attachment using a solid hem jointed piece of steel to the upper seat belt attachment on the birdcage-no more interior squeaks or t top groans. Hope that helps.
There is some great info in that attachment. i would add installing a spreader bar in front connecting the shock towers and, especially in a convertible, a shark bar behind the seats in the interior which ties the frame together higher up almost like a roll bar would. I have a spreader bar on my 78 which is not a convertible obviously and it made a tremendous difference in the rigidity of the frame as well as a modified shark bar attachment behind the rear seats with a rigid attachment of the floor seatbelt attachment using a solid hem jointed piece of steel to the upper seat belt attachment on the birdcage-no more interior squeaks or t top groans. Hope that helps.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,968
Likes: 44
From: East TN
Mike80,
There is some great info in that attachment. i would add installing a spreader bar in front connecting the shock towers and, especially in a convertible, a shark bar behind the seats in the interior which ties the frame together higher up almost like a roll bar would. I have a spreader bar on my 78 which is not a convertible obviously and it made a tremendous difference in the rigidity of the frame as well as a modified shark bar attachment behind the rear seats with a rigid attachment of the floor seatbelt attachment using a solid hem jointed piece of steel to the upper seat belt attachment on the birdcage-no more interior squeaks or t top groans. Hope that helps.
There is some great info in that attachment. i would add installing a spreader bar in front connecting the shock towers and, especially in a convertible, a shark bar behind the seats in the interior which ties the frame together higher up almost like a roll bar would. I have a spreader bar on my 78 which is not a convertible obviously and it made a tremendous difference in the rigidity of the frame as well as a modified shark bar attachment behind the rear seats with a rigid attachment of the floor seatbelt attachment using a solid hem jointed piece of steel to the upper seat belt attachment on the birdcage-no more interior squeaks or t top groans. Hope that helps.
I beefed up my frame when I had it out, and added a VBP spreader bar up front. I also use all poly bushing front to back. I don't have the "Shark Bar", cost is pretty high, but have thought about making one. Anybody have pictures of a Shark Bar mounted in a 78-82 vette, with maybe some measurements? I have double the steel in my A-pillars, Rocker Channels, and B-pillars after welding in 3-piece Rocker Channel Inserts on each side, so adding a support across the B-pillars would probably work really good on mine.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,442
Likes: 967
From: Tennessee/Rhode Island
I beefed up my frame when I had it out, and added a VBP spreader bar up front. I also use all poly bushing front to back. I don't have the "Shark Bar", cost is pretty high, but have thought about making one. Anybody have pictures of a Shark Bar mounted in a 78-82 vette, with maybe some measurements? I have double the steel in my A-pillars, Rocker Channels, and B-pillars after welding in 3-piece Rocker Channel Inserts on each side, so adding a support across the B-pillars would probably work really good on mine.Mike,
I too have poly everywhere front to back including upper and lower control arm bushings and competition adjustable struts with heim joints. I have an unused shark bar with instructions BUT I used the heim jointed connection between the upper and lower seat belt attachment. I didn't like the intrusion in the rear compartment. We can talk if your interested as well I do have the complete instructions to go with it.
