ok here is the story of my car, at one point it got into an accident, F250 hit me head on going about 25 PMH, biggest impact was on the drivers front. (I have pics but need to get them scanned so I can post them) I found an entire new front clip and installed it. it fit ok... but I could never get the lines to well line up. Seemed the drivers side frame was bent down. I got it aligned and it did that just fine. I also replaced all the front steering components upper/lower control arms/springs/steering box... front is all new. Now the car is apart and only the body bolts are keeping the body on the frame. (waiting for warmer weather to come and pull them apart.) I measured the front passenger and drivers frame horns and yes the drivers side does seem to be lower, But im not sure how accurate my measurements are. (are my springs the same is something else off .... I called around to some frame shops and they was all hesitant to touch the car. wanted 400 bucks just to get it on the frame alignment tool thing whatever its called LOL. motor and trans is out of the car. I have the measurements of what the frame should be ( I believe) from the factory service manual. but im not sure how accurate i can be with using simple home tools. (tape measure??) How would you suggest I more forward on this? I have read other chevell posts about frame shops measuring a bare frame just fine. Im just not getting that kinda luck??
Your this far along, an option might be buy another frame for near the same money. https://www.ebay.com/itm/1964-1965-1966-Buick-Special-Skylark-Nice-Solid-Frame-/291628397587 This guy sells a lot of stuff.
to check to see if the frame is bent use 4 jack stands in the center at the exact same level between the tires. Use a tape measure to be sure. does not need to be absolutely perfect but + or - 1/4 will tell you everything you need to know. Then measure each frame horn from the ground up to the same place on both sides. That will tell you up or down whether its off. Then tape measure in an X fashion from 2 same holes on the frame Behind the wheels close to the front) to each horn will give you an idea if its off sidesway.
Measuring to the floor can give false measurements, you need to level a known area such as behind the cradle on the frame, adjust or shim stands to maintain its position, then put a a straight piece of pipe or steel on the floor and shim it to level, then take your measurements between the two. You need to have a level datum lines to obtain an accurate measurement. This is why the feet on frame machines are adjustable to provide a true surface to measure to,..$400 is a little much, $250 is industry standard in my neck of the woods to "set up" on the machine. If they are hanging gauges and all that nonsense then yea maybe, but those things are more trouble than they are worth most the time
I had a 71 that was in a wreck before I bought it. The car still had the wrecked bumper and fender on the car,and was still drivable. After fighting with panel alignment,and trying to get the front suspension aligned,I took it to a collision shop and put it on a frame machine. I turned out that the frame had basicly become a trapezoid. The front horn was pushed back about 1 1/2”,but after the the frame rail to the rear axle was also pushed back over an inch. It was all cockeyed. I was able to get it straightened,butbthe frame was also nice and solid. If you have one with any rot,or bad body mounts,you will end up just ripping it apart.
The frames are not rugged at all. If you were hit at 25 mph its bent. No need to replace. as long as it's not rotted it can be pulled. I'd wager confidently its bent like a diamond. Too many variables with a tape measure and measuring off the floor to get anything accurate.
The frame is in great condition. This is a 99.9% rust free car, (previous owner parked it in a garage for 20 years. Like a previous post im nervous about paying a shop to straighten the frame, when I could purchase a boxed frame for about the same price?? but what if that frame is bent? Maybe I just need to keep calling around and find a shop willing to work on this.
I don't know if this is of any use to you? This is for 67. I got this from a vintage frame pulling manuel
You might call hagerty insurance and see if they have any certified shops they use for repairs in your area.Then you would know they are ok with fixing an old full frame car. Good luck. Tim
Go onto team Buick.com and search frame and body mounting.It will be figure 20 - 3 frame dimensions it will tell you exactly where to measure from and you’ll know for sure. I had a problem with mine after frame was bent at the restoration shop. I didn’t realize it until after the car was being assembled, Using the dimensions found On the website, the frame horn on the driver side was bent out a half inch from specifications.Fortunately the bend stopped before the steering box so I was able to have a section of frame from another frame TIG welded in place. Had the bend have been after the steering box I would’ve replaced the frame.
