I am sooooo depressed.......
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
From: Arlington tx
I am sooooo depressed.......
I just posted up earlier about the motor haveing all the top rings cracked and so now that the motor is ready to go to the machine shop I figured I would kill a few hours cleaning grease and grime off my frame when I came across something very depressing. The frame has a bend and crease in it right in front of the driverside door in front of the body mount. Now the car seems very stable and with the help of my wife I measured from center of my rear center cap to the front on both sides and they are almost exactly the same length so Im confused. Should I start hunting for a new frame? I will see if I cant get some pictures up here tomorrow to show everyone. Like I said earlier, the farther I get into this project the more money it is costing me :mad :sad: :mad
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
From: Arlington tx
Re: I am sooooo depressed....... (lason)
I just went and measured the frame to ground clearance and the side with the bend in it is 1/4-1/2 inch lower than the other. Looks like Ill be hunting down a new frame :( . How much do bare frames usually run anyway?? thanks for the help guys.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,844
Likes: 0
From: Pearland TX
St. Jude Contributor
Re: I am sooooo depressed....... (lason)
You are getting into a serious project if you go for a new frame. Maybe those who are going through the project will pipe in.
I wish you luck.
I wish you luck.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,541
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
Re: I am sooooo depressed....... (bgrice)
I would inspect as much of the rest of the frame as possible and then decide on getting a new frame or not. But how big of a prject were you intending to start when you bought the car?
Goodluck with it
Goodluck with it
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
From: Arlington tx
Re: I am sooooo depressed....... (NassyVette)
When I bought the car I was planning on fixing the front fiberglass and throwing a new motor in and going with it unitill I could get a paint job but here is a pic of the damaged areas......
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,629
Likes: 7
From: Lawrenceville PA
Re: I am sooooo depressed....... (lason)
Take it to a frame specialist and see what he recommends. I had to replace the frame on my 72 due to rust and it's huge job. Once you start tearing down the frame you'll want to replace all the old rusty nuts, bolts and bushings, then you may as well replace brake lines and gas lines, throw in a new set of shocks, etc., etc., etc. Believe me it never seems to end. Hopefully, the frame shop can give you better options that don't include a body off frame replacement. Good luck.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 485
Likes: 1
From: Dallas Texas
Re: I am sooooo depressed....... (midget)
From your pics, to me, it does not look that bad. But it is hard to tell for sure from pictures. I would check the rest of the frame especially right in front of the rear wheels and at the number 4 mounts. I would say if those locations are intact I would think you should be OK, especiaily if the car drives true and is in alignment, and there is no telling how long it has been that way. But as others have suggested a frame shop is a good place to start. Doing a body off is a long, expensive and at times frustrating process and the while I'm at it's get you. I replaced my frame as I had a huge cave in at the drivers side and at the right rear quarter. Sounds like to me you want to drive the car after the engine is back in, a frame change will delay that by quite a bit. Good luck with it and hopefully it won't be a big problem.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
From: Arlington tx
Re: I am sooooo depressed....... (DVG73)
Well you guys are probably right and its not that bad because the kid I bought it from drove it everyday and the thing drove VERY squirley the 5 minutes that I did drive it but I believe most of it was because the kid rebuilt the front end and probably never had it aligned and I think the car needs a new steering box. I guess I will take a lot more measurements and determine if everything is square. If it is then I will overlook it for now. Thanks for the input guys.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 2,581
Likes: 14
From: Tolar Texas
Re: I am sooooo depressed....... (lason)
Lason, I have sent you an email containing scanned images from my GM shop manual and assembly manual. The images show frame dimensions for my '80. There are on significant differences between 80 and 81.
I hope these images will help you determine if your frame is within spec.
It will take some time using a plumb bob and tape measure but hopefully in the end you will find that it's not as bad as it looks.
Keep us updated.
I hope these images will help you determine if your frame is within spec.
It will take some time using a plumb bob and tape measure but hopefully in the end you will find that it's not as bad as it looks.
Keep us updated.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
From: Arlington tx
Re: I am sooooo depressed....... (MIKER)
Lason, I have sent you an email containing scanned images from my GM shop manual and assembly manual. The images show frame dimensions for my '80. There are on significant differences between 80 and 81.
I hope these images will help you determine if your frame is within spec.
It will take some time using a plumb bob and tape measure but hopefully in the end you will find that it's not as bad as it looks.
Keep us updated.
I hope these images will help you determine if your frame is within spec.
It will take some time using a plumb bob and tape measure but hopefully in the end you will find that it's not as bad as it looks.
Keep us updated.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
From: Arlington tx
Re: I am sooooo depressed....... (lason)
I found a vatte yard here in Arlington that has an '81 bare frame but they want $800. Is this too high?? I was thinking in the $4-500 range. Also has anyone ever had a frame shipped? I figure it will be outrageous.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,629
Likes: 7
From: Lawrenceville PA
Re: I am sooooo depressed....... (lason)
That's a pretty good deal if the frame is decent. I paid $1500 for mine but it was in very nice shape and I could get it locally. As for shipping try calling some trucking firms and get an estimate. They probably can give you a ballpark figure to work from.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 485
Likes: 1
From: Dallas Texas
Re: I am sooooo depressed....... (lason)
I would look at getting an evaluation from a frame shop. The fact that it drives squirrly is an indication that there may be a problem but it could also be the front end as you said. Eight hundred is not bad that's what I paid for mine. Try calling Mark Uptmor at Uptmor Corvette parts at 254-799-1356, he is out of Waco. He has good prices on his stuff.