Front Batwing cross member ??
Thread Starter
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,156
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From: Connecticut, USA
Front Batwing cross member ??
I removed the rusted out original '69 front cross member yesterday. I have one in stock that came out of a 68? THe 2 are not the saem the original has a couple of tapped holes near the the large counter bore holes for the radiator support and a tapped hole on the front edge. My car is an early 69 is it possible that I have a 68 crossmember and the replacement is a 69+ one? I don't see anything that would bolt into these holes on my setup and the 72 is like my replacement.
Thanks,
Gary
Thanks,
Gary
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 792
Likes: 2
From: Norcross GA
Re: Front Batwing cross member ?? (gtr1999)
Interesting. I have read that the front of the 68 frame is different than the 69 and later years. Sounds like your having a 68 config is a possibility. You mention that the replacement is out of a 68. Based on your description that it matches the 72, the replacement appears to be from a later year.
Bob
Bob
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 2,845
Likes: 2
From: Apex NC
Re: Front Batwing cross member ?? (gtr1999)
Gary, I'll go out to the garage later and take a look at my '69 to see how it's configured. I know mine is original to my late April built car. If my crossmember is configured like your replacement, I'd be interested in buying it if you want to sell.
EDIT - I just checked out my car. There are no tapped holes near the counter-bore holes, nor is there a tapped hole on the front edge. Jusging from the amount of rust on mine, I'm nearly certain it's original.
Shannon
[Modified by sb69coupe, 9:03 AM 9/26/2002]
EDIT - I just checked out my car. There are no tapped holes near the counter-bore holes, nor is there a tapped hole on the front edge. Jusging from the amount of rust on mine, I'm nearly certain it's original.
Shannon
[Modified by sb69coupe, 9:03 AM 9/26/2002]
Thread Starter
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,156
Likes: 3,965
From: Connecticut, USA
Re: Front Batwing cross member ?? (sb69coupe)
Hey Shannon sounds like yours is as bad as mine :D I had to drill out oneof the 7/16-14 bolts it was as bad as a trailing arm bolt with "rust weld"
Bob,
The replacement I have, I picked up at a swap meet from a wrecked 68.The batwing was already off the car though so it may be just a replacement. I think it has a GM label on it so that would indicate a service replacement vs the original 68. I'll have to double check it and see if the number is readable when I get home. I'm wondering if the 68's had cross braces on the rad support that bolted to the bat wing and that's why there are holes there?
Thanks,
Gary
Bob,
The replacement I have, I picked up at a swap meet from a wrecked 68.The batwing was already off the car though so it may be just a replacement. I think it has a GM label on it so that would indicate a service replacement vs the original 68. I'll have to double check it and see if the number is readable when I get home. I'm wondering if the 68's had cross braces on the rad support that bolted to the bat wing and that's why there are holes there?
Thanks,
Gary
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 2,845
Likes: 2
From: Apex NC
Re: Front Batwing cross member ?? (gtr1999)
Gary, the '68 radiator support is similar to midyears, they have the "X" braces. Maybe that's what the other holes are for? Let me know if you'd consider selling the crossmember.
Shannon
Shannon
