C-1 Front Crossmember 1957

[Jerry Cosler (26941)]

I am a 58-60 person working on a 1957 frame and would like to know if all TR bolts that attach crossmember to frame have the head on the top side. 58-60 have only four that the heads are up but the 57 AIM shows all heads up. Is this correct? Thanks in advance.

[Verle Randolph (14764)]

Re: C-1 Front Crossmember 1957

Empirical response; my 57 crossmember bolts are all head up. Unrestored car.

Verle

[John DeGregory (2855)]

Re: C-1 Front Crossmember 1957

Emperical Verne??? Old crossword puzzle word that you don't typically see on this forum. I mean most of us can't spell yet.
Emperical: Relying or based solely on observations. Relying or based on practical experience without reference to scientific principles. Sorta like us NCRS people which is good. My first love in life is crossword puzzles. Not that good at them but I try. What's this have to do with technical stuff? Nothing. Heads up. JD

[Gary Chesnut (5895)]

Re: C-1 Front Crossmember 1957

Jerry, front cross members were installed on the assembly line while the frame was upside down. The bolts were dropped in, thus making them upside down when the frame was flipped right side up. As Verne points out the heads are on the bottom side of the cross member with threads pointing up. Don't forget the shims when reinstalling the cross member. Good luck, Gary....

[Michael Hooker (42966)]

Re: C-1 Front Crossmember 1957

Can anyone advise whether the same procedure was used on the '55 Corvette? I was under the impression that all of the cross member bolts were installed on that year with the heads on the top side and the threads on the bottom. Thanks.

[Gary Chesnut (5895)]

Re: C-1 Front Crossmember 1957

re-ask your question with the subject link for 55 Crossmember and Roy Braatz surely will answer. Gary....

[Joe Mish (43421)]

Re: C-1 Front Crossmember 1957

This question was answered a while back but darn if I could find it in the archives. Recall it was a mix of heads up and heads down.

[Joe Mish (43421)]

Re: C-1 Front Crossmember 1957

try searching for,'fastener orientation', dated 1.24.2007....lot of details in that discussion

[Roy Braatz (182)]

Re: C-1 Front Crossmember 1957

"bolts were installed on that year with the heads on the top side and the threads on the bottom."

Yes//53-55 remember they were hand built , later productions years changed the directions, my 55 and friends original owner's 55 are the same!

[John Hinckley (29964)]

Re: C-1 Front Crossmember 1957

The photo taken on the St. Louis chassis line on page 126 in Noland's book shows the bolts with the heads up, and so does the photo on page 189. I seem to recall the mix of 8-up and 8-down began in 1958 due to an interference issue with the inner bumper brackets (which didn't exist on 57's).

[Don Yesacavage (34599)]

Re: C-1 Front Crossmember 1957

The origianl unmolested bolts on my '57 (WB1C by the way) were installed with the heads on the top side of the frame, threads down and 3 unplated metal shims on each side of the crossmember. John Hinkley is correct on the front subframe fastener orientation. The '58 had a large bracket that fastened along the outside of the front frame horns and required the up/down orientation to differ. The outside bolts needed to have the heads on the top side so the bracket will fit without interference from the protruding threads.