...

Go Back   Lateral-g Forums > Technical Discussions > Chassis and Suspension
User Name
Password



Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 05-25-2005, 05:10 PM
bringemout bringemout is offline
Member
 
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 25
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default Frame prep

Just a question.....what is the best way to approach the frame of a classic vehicle once the body is off. The best way to detail it. Where does a guy start.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 05-25-2005, 07:24 PM
Derek69SS's Avatar
Derek69SS Derek69SS is offline
Supporting Member
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Dexter, MN
Posts: 963
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

Here's what I did for my chevelle:

Take absolutely every nut and bolt off it.
Check for straightness.
Grind and MIG weld over all the factory welds (which look like chicken poop)
Box it for stiffness if it's not already, gusset anything that looks weak.
Check for straightness (all that welding might cause warpage)
Mock up engine/trans, narrow crossmember, make crossmember brackets.
Sandblast, prime, and paint.

Too bad i ran out of money, and that's as far as I got
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 05-25-2005, 08:07 PM
bringemout bringemout is offline
Member
 
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 25
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Derek69SS
Here's what I did for my chevelle:

Take absolutely every nut and bolt off it.
Check for straightness.
Grind and MIG weld over all the factory welds (which look like chicken poop)
Box it for stiffness if it's not already, gusset anything that looks weak.
Check for straightness (all that welding might cause warpage)
Mock up engine/trans, narrow crossmember, make crossmember brackets.
Sandblast, prime, and paint.

Too bad i ran out of money, and that's as far as I got
How do I go about boxing the frame????
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 05-25-2005, 10:25 PM
Derek69SS's Avatar
Derek69SS Derek69SS is offline
Supporting Member
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Dexter, MN
Posts: 963
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

Well, first of all, what kind of car is it? Some cars have boxed frames stock.

Chevelles are what I know, so that's what I'll talk about Chevelles have the side rails made out of 1/8" thick steel bent in a big "C" shape. The open end allows a lot of flexibility, which you don't want. By welding a plate onto the open side to close it, it makes it much more rigid and better for cornering.

I just traced a pattern onto cardboard, and plasma-cut out a some new 1/8" steel pieces to fit. Any welding shop could cut the pieces for you, if you don't have the equipment.

I'll look for some of my pictures I took of what I did.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 05-25-2005, 10:38 PM
Derek69SS's Avatar
Derek69SS Derek69SS is offline
Supporting Member
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Dexter, MN
Posts: 963
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Cool

I've got a good picture and a short description of the crossmember mount fab-work here:

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/show...ht=boxed+frame

Sorry about the links in that topic. They don't work now, after TC upgraded the forum.

Last edited by Derek69SS; 05-25-2005 at 10:45 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 05-29-2005, 12:53 AM
T Bell T Bell is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Memphis, TN
Posts: 520
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

I just got all the brake lines and fuel lines, & rear end off of mine. Will use this nylon bristle thingy on a drill to basically clean the frame. I have alot of surface rust. Oh yeah, I used some oven cleaner to get the grease and grime off everything that had it. Then this nylon thingy to basically clean. Plan to either POR15 it or try this Zerorust. After that, I may get some stainless nuts and bolts to put back in.
__________________
1972 Nova 355, 4 spd, rusty but something to drive.
1972 Pro-touring Cutlass S in the works....still
Reply With Quote
Reply


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:53 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright Lateral-g.net