Hi all, I am doing a frame off resto on my 71 GS. When the frame was bare, I noticed that the back of the frame was not even. One jack stand had to be higher than the other. The rear suspension is on and the rear of the car is on the ground. The front of the car is level. At the rear of the wheel arch the measurements are the same. At the rear corners, the left side is 25” high and the right side is 26.5”. Is there a fix here? It appears that the issue is just with the C channel section behind the rear wheels. Thanks in advance! Allen
How did it visually look with the body on frame ? I had almost 1" difference on left side without body but after body went back on no issues maybe could be a left side pattern or something ...more will chime in with same issues possibly I assumed the rear of frame would always have some flex to it until bolted
I would check with a frame shop. It it needs a straightening now would be a good time to get it done. Is there any wrinkling at any frame bends? Lou
IMHO, I would think you could bend that back with some strategic jacking/weighting/pulling. I wouldn't be too worried about it.
btw ...are those adjustable rear upper arms ? see if they are even , just a thought also pop the rear springs off ..another thought
Check it with the body mounted. The frame gets most of its integrity from the body. Two guys on either end can tweak a bare frame easily. I wouldn't worry about it.
The common theme seems to be don’t sweat it. I will be putting the body on soon to mock up the trans tunnel for the T56 it’s getting. I will share results. Thanks!
What I would do, as Frank alluded to, would be to remove the rear springs and get the frame on jack stands. Position the jack stands on each end of the side rails. Get a long level and level the frame front and back. If you need to, shim the jack stands with cedar shims. Once its level front and back, then measure your rear crossmember.
Leverage is your friend. I had to tweak my C2 Vette frame a couple years ago it was off by about an inch. Hardest problem in anchoring one side of the the frame to stay on the jack stands. In the picture we used the forklift in the background to keep the frame anchored down with chains. In a frame shop they’d chain it down to eye bolts in the floor or on a rack. But, we didn't have the kinda time, it needed done that day in order to stay on scheduled. So we improvised and leverage was what straightened it. Two of us hanging off the end bouncing it up and down, then checking it over and over, til it was right.
Thanks for all of the input. I have a car trailer that I can use as a “frame table” if I need to. I’m gonna put the body on for mock up and see what it looks like. The body will come back off anyway. I can “adjust” the frame then if need be. I do appreciate the input. Thanks!
Do you need frame dimensions, like platten table measurements? They are in the Steve Dove book,"Guide to GS, GSX" It lists 2 door and 4 door dimensions. Hopefully somebody can post that link...My tech abilities are poor. Sorry.
Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Allen (izanurse) passed away a few weeks weeks ago. http://www.v8buick.com/index.php?threads/allen-mandeen-rip.334212/
