I have the opportunity to purchase a 71 coupe frame for my 68 coupe.
What differences are there between the two (if any)?
Chuck 32205
What differences are there between the two (if any)?
Chuck 32205
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Re: Frame Differences
Depending on the S/N of your '68, there was a brace added from the end of the main rails to the "Kickup" area. I don't know if there was a body change to accomidate this or not. There may be others. -
Re: Frame Differences
Depending on the S/N of your '68, there was a brace added from the end of the main rails to the "Kickup" area. I don't know if there was a body change to accomidate this or not. There may be others.Comment
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Re: Frame Differences
Chuck------
One other piece of information that I've come up with is this: over the years, there were numerous, successive frame part numbers for the various years and/or series of Corvettes. In many cases, a later model frame became the SERVICE frame for earlier models if it could be used without modification. Later on, SERVICE-only frames superceded earlier PRODUCTION and SERVICE part numbers.
The last available SERVICE frame for 1969 through 1974 models was GM #12300910. Obviously, there are differences between frames in this model year range and this SERVICE frame must have, somehow, accomodated those differences so that a "one size fits all" part could be released. However, this frame was NOT applicable to the 1968 model year. So, my expectation is that the 1968 differences, whatever they were, could not be accomodated within this frame design. It also strongly hints that a 69-74 frame is not directly interchangeable with 1968, at least, not without significant modification.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: Frame Differences
Chuck------
One other piece of information that I've come up with is this: over the years, there were numerous, successive frame part numbers for the various years and/or series of Corvettes. In many cases, a later model frame became the SERVICE frame for earlier models if it could be used without modification. Later on, SERVICE-only frames superceded earlier PRODUCTION and SERVICE part numbers.
The last available SERVICE frame for 1969 through 1974 models was GM #12300910. Obviously, there are differences between frames in this model year range and this SERVICE frame must have, somehow, accomodated those differences so that a "one size fits all" part could be released. However, this frame was NOT applicable to the 1968 model year. So, my expectation is that the 1968 differences, whatever they were, could not be accomodated within this frame design. It also strongly hints that a 69-74 frame is not directly interchangeable with 1968, at least, not without significant modification.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: Frame Differences NO FIT!!!!!!
They will not FIT!!!!
I tried... a 71 on a 68... No fit.
The front frame horns, NOT the bolt on extensions, are different.
The 68 has extra hole on each side, to bolt the radiator Core support to.
I just got my 68 frame back from the dipper today.
I did a full resto on the 70-72 frame, droped the body...no deal..
I'll try to get pics for you..
jcComment
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Re: Frame Differences NO FIT!!!!!!
They will not FIT!!!!
I tried... a 71 on a 68... No fit.
The front frame horns, NOT the bolt on extensions, are different.
The 68 has extra hole on each side, to bolt the radiator Core support to.
I just got my 68 frame back from the dipper today.
I did a full resto on the 70-72 frame, droped the body...no deal..
I'll try to get pics for you..
jcComment
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Re: Frame Differences NO FIT!!!!!!
Jeff-----
Thanks. Somewhere in the back of my mind I was thinking that there might be a difference with respect to the front frame horns. I wasn't sure enough to mention it, though. I'll remember it now.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: Frame Differences NO FIT!!!!!!
Jeff-----
Thanks. Somewhere in the back of my mind I was thinking that there might be a difference with respect to the front frame horns. I wasn't sure enough to mention it, though. I'll remember it now.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: Frame, X-tra brace addition ###??
I have a vette that is 68 numbered in the 20,000's, and did not have the cross brace, that is behind the seats,
When was the ### cut off for the addition of that brace, that you see on the 69 up frames.I saw a 68 frame this weekend, that did Have the added brace, and I didnot catch the vin##...
My new 68 frame is 5040 has no frame additions...
Cant find my A.I.M.
jcComment
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Re: Frame, X-tra brace addition ###??
I have a vette that is 68 numbered in the 20,000's, and did not have the cross brace, that is behind the seats,
When was the ### cut off for the addition of that brace, that you see on the 69 up frames.I saw a 68 frame this weekend, that did Have the added brace, and I didnot catch the vin##...
My new 68 frame is 5040 has no frame additions...
Cant find my A.I.M.
jcComment
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Re: Frame, X-tra brace addition ###??
The front frame horns are definately different. The radiator support bolts up like a midyear on the 68.Comment
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Re: Frame, X-tra brace addition ###??
The front frame horns are definately different. The radiator support bolts up like a midyear on the 68.Comment
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Re: Maybe This Will Shed Some Light
My 68 #21831 must have been part of the change over to 69 as my current numbers matching frame DOES have the lateral braces to the kickups.
As far as the core support go's, if I remember correctly (it's been a while since I had my hands on the crossmember), my core support has two ears that bolt to the front removable cross member and that's it.
The core support also attaches to the nose with three bolts down each side.
With this information, could I hopefully (please please please) expect that this 71 frame would do the trick?
I will be very discouraged if it still sounds like a no go.
Thanks for all the great feed back folks.
Chuck 32205Comment
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Re: Maybe This Will Shed Some Light
My 68 #21831 must have been part of the change over to 69 as my current numbers matching frame DOES have the lateral braces to the kickups.
As far as the core support go's, if I remember correctly (it's been a while since I had my hands on the crossmember), my core support has two ears that bolt to the front removable cross member and that's it.
The core support also attaches to the nose with three bolts down each side.
With this information, could I hopefully (please please please) expect that this 71 frame would do the trick?
I will be very discouraged if it still sounds like a no go.
Thanks for all the great feed back folks.
Chuck 32205Comment
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