My 70 Deuce has several frame rust out locations. Mainly the front frame rails near the firewall where they bend to parallel the rockers. The drivers side is over halfway rusted through. there is also spots in front of the rear end arches that were repaired with half inch steel plates welded together on each side and bottom of the frame and extending about 1/4 the way up the rear end arch. My question isn't about weather to address the problem or not, but HOW to address it. First off my 70 electra has the stock 455. I am building a 600HP 464 to make a perfect sleeper. I am very certain that with that power the frame will twist like a pretzel. I am not ready to do a frame restoration on my convertible yet, so that leaves me with patching the frame currently under the car. What tips or suggestions do you guys suggest with this approach. I am preferring someone who has patched a rusted frame on a high horsepower car to offer real world experience. With a almost 5000 lb 600hp convertible a sturdy frame is a must and don't want to ruin my ride. Thank You
Personally, in this case I'd find a nice clean one if possible (maybe easier said than done) and replace it.
x2 Don't waste your time patching a frame that has multiple failures....you'll be repairing it for years. Keep an eye out for a replacement, and get to it when you can get to it. If your suspension mounts are solid, the frame likely won't fail with the extra power. Build your engine and work on a frame replacement as time allows.
Without being able to access and really examine the frame with it still being under the car, you would more than likely just be pissing in the wind. The metal is probably so pitted and thin, what you weld to won't be of much help, and welding thicker plate than the surrounding material is actually counter productive as it will just fatigue the metal behind the weld. Sounds like you need a donor frame to me.
Try Desert Valley Auto Parts in Phoenix, AZ ...I live close by and been there many times. They have many Buicks try them at 800-905-8024.
Get a hold of Dave Bryant, in Osceola NE, he is into Big cars for stock cars and also Buick, and may have a frame. I can get his number, PM me, thanks Bill.
