1970 Buick GS 455 frame questions - HELP!

I just looked it up, it's "CC".

 

Yes,your car was built September/69. I can check January car when I get back. I also have a a Septemeber-built car to compare.

 

I assume that any CC in white letters is long gone. What about codes stamped into frame? Says car was built in Framingham. Codes to show company that made it and when?

 

Ones I've seen say "Hayes" for Kelsey Hayes I assume

 

Anything that was undercoated,either at the dealer,or by the owner,will cover any of that. It was common for dealers to spray everything black underneath,so it looked good sitting in the car lot.

 

Here is what i did. I searched the parts book crash manual. The 70 GS 455 has a replacement frame part number of #1235413. The 68 Buick Skylark 4dr sedan, GS 400 exc. conv, the 69 GS 400 (doesn't say ht or conv) Skylark 4dr ht all use that same part number. No other Buicks, Chevrolets, Pontiacs or Oldsmobiles from 68-72 refer to that number. 80% of them however refer to part #6263668 and interchange. Doesn't this prove that small block and big block used the same frame, because there was no 400 or 455 in a Skylark ht or sedan??? The number in the photo above, 3960733 crosses to 70 2dr ht (No GS 455), 68-69 2dr coupe and ht only (no GS or Conv or 4dr) and the 1970 Olds all 2dr coupes and hardtops. Also the build date would need to be before my cars assembled date correct? My Sloane sheets say my car was assembled NOV 1969, so any date codes have to be from '69 also. I reached out to several guys on Craigslist who are selling GS455's and asked them to tell me their frame codes. I would appreciate it if anyone on this forum who has a legit 70GS455 to do the same. The more info I get the better! Thanks to all.

 

The reason your not going to get a frame code from a guy with a car is because it's going to be obscured terribly unless it's been sandblasted and the there is no tailpipe in place the difference between the small and big block frames, that's been explained several times now they are different in the gauge metal used and the 3 holes in the front cross member. The California built cars ive had also had the big block frame. I will post some pics when I get to the shop, I have a my gsx frame and a 71 Stage 1 frame without rearbumpers

 

That's my 70x frame which is as I thought it was "BW" the "cc" is found on the other chart I found in the assembly manual, it's relevance I'm not sure of but as sure as the sun will rise tomorrow, the Big block frame is for 70 is "BW" as I remembered it to be.

 

71 stage 1 frame Hayes "1237239" and "820702"

 

Both these frames are 120% correct, legit, documented frames with matching Vins to the bodies on top of them

 

"The "CC" frames were changed to "BW" during the middle of the production year."..........................and the date they were changed is called out in the revision block at the top right corner of the frame page. That page also calls out when some of the body mounts were changed from violet to orange or vise versa. ( I don't remember which.)
Duane

PS. Do not ever use the "parts books" to figure out what was correct for our cars. The books were only designed to give the shops parts that could be used to fix the cars, and the parts in the book would change as the date of the book changed, and the inventory changed. Like the above example of using a 68 frame to repair a 70-72 car.

"Doesn't this prove that small block and big block used the same frame, because there was no 400 or 455 in a Skylark ht or sedan???" No, again it only means the frame they called out in the book would fit, and could be used as a replacement part. Just like an NOS 70 positive battery cable with a bolt/nut terminal clamp, could be used as a replacement part, but surely was not the same as a correct spring ring battery cable.

Those parts books are virtually worthless if you are trying to figure out what parts actually came with the cars when produced. You are much better with looking at the assembly manuals, and going back thru the revision blocks to see what came on your car at the time it was built.

.......and often the parts books list the number used to order the part, not the number that is actually stamped on it. Look up the chrome vs steel valve covers and you will see what I mean, they have 2 different "ordering" numbers, while the actual parts both carried the same number stamped into them.


This has led to a ton of problems over the years. I even write an article about this titled "NOS Parts, the Agony Continues".

 

So if frames for a 70 GS455 started out as "CC" then changed to "BW" later.....and mine was made in November of 1969 then I should have had a "CC" frame. Would this also point to one manufacturer? I have seen names like HAYES and PARISH etc. Did one company make the CC frames or were they made by more than one location?

 

Hey sorry if I sound like a dummy on the forum. I just want to understand all this before I buy the wrong frame. All I really want is for someone to tell me what codes would have come on my car. Like ok you have a 70 GS455 made in November of 1969 so your car should say CC and HAYES and 396xxxx and 69 and a date like 2-25 or whatever. This way when I find one I know my options. I know the actual date codes are numerous, but the core data like 396xxxx and CC HAS to be correct.

 

I've got a Nov built 455 frame at my parents, I'll see if it's visible tomorrow, frame is pretty pitted so no promises. Here is a pic of the Cross member holes

 

I find this intetesring......if the bb frames had these 3 holes and the others didnt.....the question is why?.

I guess I never realised or ever really thought about it that 4 Dr cars had a longer wheelbase till I read this.

I knew the convertible frames were different, just didn't know the bb/sb frames were.

 

64-67 4dr 2dr chassis interchange , but the 68-72 will not. The purpose of the holes I have no idea, Chevelles are the same way iirc