Frame Advice
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 191
Likes: 0
From: Commerce Twp. Michigan
Frame Advice
Gents,
Well I have about $100.00 worth of books to guide me through my restoration coming my way and I intend on joining NCRS. I have been playing with these cars for 20 years but this has got to be my most interesting undertaking. The 65 that I intend to restore has been subject to a marginal, amateur frame on restoration. I suspect the frame is bent due to some alignment issues, however it is one of the cleanest frames I've seen. It makes me think that the car sat somewhere dry and inside for a long time after an accident.
I also suspect that the frame is going to need repaired or replaced. I have spoke to several people of the pro's and con's to the new frames on the market as well has a few people that are piecing old frames together to make "new original " frames. My question is how are these different options viewed in judging? I am looking for opinions as well as as good and not so good experiences. Also, if anyone has a very nice, clean 65 rdstr frame they are interested in selling. Thanks
John
:thumbs:
Well I have about $100.00 worth of books to guide me through my restoration coming my way and I intend on joining NCRS. I have been playing with these cars for 20 years but this has got to be my most interesting undertaking. The 65 that I intend to restore has been subject to a marginal, amateur frame on restoration. I suspect the frame is bent due to some alignment issues, however it is one of the cleanest frames I've seen. It makes me think that the car sat somewhere dry and inside for a long time after an accident.
I also suspect that the frame is going to need repaired or replaced. I have spoke to several people of the pro's and con's to the new frames on the market as well has a few people that are piecing old frames together to make "new original " frames. My question is how are these different options viewed in judging? I am looking for opinions as well as as good and not so good experiences. Also, if anyone has a very nice, clean 65 rdstr frame they are interested in selling. Thanks
John
:thumbs:
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 16,978
Likes: 7
From: In Dreams There Is Truth Ohio
Re: Frame Advice (mac383)
What makes you think the frame is suspect? Does the 65 track sideways? If the frame is bent, today's frame machines are wonderful marvels, and in the hands of a competent frame man, you will be amazed at the results. The frame guy will tell you what shape the frame is in....at less money than a used frame.
[Modified by GDaina, 12:44 AM 8/29/2003]
[Modified by GDaina, 12:44 AM 8/29/2003]
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 191
Likes: 0
From: Commerce Twp. Michigan
Re: Frame Advice (GDaina)
GDiana,
There are a few spots on the frame where there are wrinkles where there shouldn't be, there is an extreme gap between the A pillar and the window vent on the driver side, all around gapping is marginal, gap between frame and body as seen through the rear wheel well differs from side to side, wheel base is about 1" off from side to side, core support is slightly cocked, steering box is shimed, body mounts are shimed extensively.
But the car drives and tracks straight. I suspect the car was hit on the front drivers wheel and IMHO someone overpulled the frame. :eek:
John
There are a few spots on the frame where there are wrinkles where there shouldn't be, there is an extreme gap between the A pillar and the window vent on the driver side, all around gapping is marginal, gap between frame and body as seen through the rear wheel well differs from side to side, wheel base is about 1" off from side to side, core support is slightly cocked, steering box is shimed, body mounts are shimed extensively.
But the car drives and tracks straight. I suspect the car was hit on the front drivers wheel and IMHO someone overpulled the frame. :eek:
John
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,131
Likes: 4
From: May help you? You can sure as hell try!
Re: Frame Advice (mac383)
Before you jump in to a new frame, I gotta go with George on this. A frame shop would be able to put the car (or bare frame) on a jig and be able to tell you if the frame is bent or has previously been straightened. There's small holes in the frame that were used to line it up while it was manufactured. Frame shops have guides that tell them the correct location of these holes when measuring with their jig. If they are out of location, the frame is bent. They straighten it by pulling until the hole locations are within specs again.
A few years ago I repaired a Firebird that had been hit in the rear and the unibody was bent. I took it to a frame shop and they did such a good job of pulling it out that most of the damage in the rear 1/4 sheet metal came out as well. I was planning on replacing the 1/4's but was able to repair them by simply bumping out the minor creases that were left and filling with a minimal amount of filler. I know Corvettes are different in the respect that they are full frame, but I believe that a good shop could fix this problem for you to the point that you'd never know it was damaged. The best part of the story is that the cost was just around $200 --much less than the cost of even one 1/4 panel.
A few years ago I repaired a Firebird that had been hit in the rear and the unibody was bent. I took it to a frame shop and they did such a good job of pulling it out that most of the damage in the rear 1/4 sheet metal came out as well. I was planning on replacing the 1/4's but was able to repair them by simply bumping out the minor creases that were left and filling with a minimal amount of filler. I know Corvettes are different in the respect that they are full frame, but I believe that a good shop could fix this problem for you to the point that you'd never know it was damaged. The best part of the story is that the cost was just around $200 --much less than the cost of even one 1/4 panel.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
From: Waukegan,Il,USA
Re: Frame Advice (mac383)
John,
I don't know where in Michigan you're located but there's a co. in Caledonia that does excellent frame work.(Caledonia Corvettes) You might give them a jingle, maybe they can advise you.
HTH, Bob L.
I don't know where in Michigan you're located but there's a co. in Caledonia that does excellent frame work.(Caledonia Corvettes) You might give them a jingle, maybe they can advise you.
HTH, Bob L.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,131
Likes: 4
From: May help you? You can sure as hell try!
Re: Frame Advice (M.Y.Freak)
Good suggestion! Caledonia also has all of the frame repair sections should any portion of the frame need replaced. I've bought from them. Very courteous folks. They are right here in Michigan out towards Grand Rapids and a bit to the north. Not too far that you couldn't throw the bare frame into the back of a pickup and take it out there. Beats paying huge freight bills to transport it!
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: omaha NE
Re: Frame Advice (mac383)
I do this everyday
I would suggest you leave the suspension on the car and keep it a roller,instead of bare frame,and look for a shop that uses either a genesis 1 or 2 or "velocity" laser targeted measuring equipment or the "shark "sonar targeting equipment which yield you computer printouts of the before and after measurements at each control point
"proof positive "that its right.
And with A frames on, the suspension can be measured for caster camber ,ball joint length and steering axis inclination with out over shimming it later. the sping pockets are known for doing funny things.
My 2 cents
Frank
I would suggest you leave the suspension on the car and keep it a roller,instead of bare frame,and look for a shop that uses either a genesis 1 or 2 or "velocity" laser targeted measuring equipment or the "shark "sonar targeting equipment which yield you computer printouts of the before and after measurements at each control point
"proof positive "that its right.
And with A frames on, the suspension can be measured for caster camber ,ball joint length and steering axis inclination with out over shimming it later. the sping pockets are known for doing funny things.
My 2 cents
Frank
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