69 Rear Frame Cross Member

[Don W.]

On the 69 there is a cross member at the rear of the vette that is welded between to the two frame rails. This is where the rear bottom of the gas tank sits.

Is that cross member supposed to flat across the top surface?

I can see where this car was hit in the left rear. On the driver's side of that cross member, the is a small section that bows upward. On the passenger side there is a section that bows downward.

Just checking as I'm replacing the gas tank and want to know if I should try and bend the top piece into a more level surface.

Thanks,

Don

[Chuck S.]

Re: 69 Rear Frame Cross Member

Straight and flat?...almost completely. Level?...no.

The rear cross member is a U channel that is welded to the ends of the frame rails with the open side of the channel toward the front. Since the ends of the frame rails turn upward at the ends, the channel is actually turned slightly down, making the top surface of the cross member slope down toward the front.

There is a designed depression in the top of the crossmember beginning 11" from the passenger side rail and ending about 17" from the frame rail. Otherwise, the top surface of the frame cross member should be straight; there is no symmetrical depression on the driver side.

[Greg L.]

Re: 69 Rear Frame Cross Member

Don

Here is a pic of my 69 frame. Hope this helps.


Greg