Did big block car get a different type of frame?

I have a 170 malibu and the frame rails at the center of the car have 3 side with the open side facing in. There is a 1970 chevelle LS5(air convertable) where I work and i has a bozed in frame where mine only has 3 sides? whats up with this?

I thimk you meant it has a boxed frame "i has a bozed", Yes, convertibles and el caminos do have a stronger frame than a standerd chevelle

good point thanks.

nope, big block cars had regular frames too. someone must have put a convertible frame under it.

Originally posted by FO_FDYFO:
nope, big block cars had regular frames too. someone must have put a convertible frame under it. I bet it was done on the assembly line. smile.gif


There is a 1970 chevelle LS5(air convertable).....
bri2203
You can click on the little pencil & paper Icon above your post and edit out mistakes. smile.gif

I don't know if it was done later years (probably was) but there were a few subtle differences for big block frames. There was an extra bit of reinforcement around the front crossmember around the A-arm area, sort of an extra layer of metal, or perhaps I should call it gussetting. I think on the 2 gen (1970 as an example) the bushings for the A-arms were round instead of oval. I could be wrong, but doesn't it ring a bell with anyone?

Originally posted by Dean:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by FO_FDYFO:
nope, big block cars had regular frames too. someone must have put a convertible frame under it. I bet it was done on the assembly line. smile.gif


There is a 1970 chevelle LS5(air convertable).....
bri2203
You can click on the little pencil & paper Icon above your post and edit out mistakes. smile.gif </font>[/QUOTE]opps, i missed that. ;)
if it is a convertible then it got a boxed frame from the factory. big block or not. coupes did not get boxed frames big block or not.
sorry for the confusion

Originally posted by Cam:
I don't know if it was done later years (probably was) but there were a few subtle differences for big block frames. There was an extra bit of reinforcement around the front crossmember around the A-arm area, sort of an extra layer of metal, or perhaps I should call it gussetting. I think on the 2 gen (1970 as an example) the bushings for the A-arms were round instead of oval. I could be wrong, but doesn't it ring a bell with anyone? i am sorry but you are incorrect. no extra frame gussiting. frames were all the same. the bushings in the a-arms (oval or round) were not places only on ss verses not ss. in fact they were placed randomly and are not indicative of anything. you could even have one of each on the same car.
ss cars did come with the extra (not welded to the frame) cross brace between the REAR control arm mounts. these were also used on all wagons and el caminos.

Originally posted by FO_FDYFO:
ss cars did come with the extra (not welded to the frame) cross brace between the REAR control arm mounts. these were also used on all wagons and el caminos. Do you have a picture of these pieces?

its those funny lookin things in the middle
http://home.comcast.net/~petelohr/einstyn1/rear-c-arms-done.jpg

Hey FO_FDYFO, you called me on that one. I based it on what I THOUGHT I saw in the 1967 Finger Tip Facts book. I seem to recall seeing it but I can't find where. Also I forgot to mention the rear frame bracing. When I check the GM parts book I see there is no distinction in frames when ordering replacement frames (if only you still could...) between different engines. Different body styles, yes, but different engines, no.
I almost feel as embarrassed as Ashley Simpson redface.gif

That's what I thought you were talking about. My '69 malibu originally equipped with a 350 2bbl/TH350/10-bolt open 2.56 had those bars. My car appeared to be an unmolested car, and the rust on the bars seemed consistent with everything else around it.

Things that make you go "hmmm" smile.gif

Originally posted by Derek69SS:
That's what I thought you were talking about. My '69 malibu originally equipped with a 350 2bbl/TH350/10-bolt open 2.56 had those bars. My car appeared to be an unmolested car, and the rust on the bars seemed consistent with everything else around it. As did my '70 with the same drivetrain options, numbers matching in fact.
Possibly because it is an AC car?
Just guessing...

My 70 have those bars and it is not a SS. I do have a F40 suspension tho

Keep in mind folks that these cars are 35+ years old. There is no telling what has happened over the years. Even if you bought from the original owner, I am a tech at a dealer, we don't always tell customers ALL the details of what we do in the shop. Witness marks or lack there of are also not an indication of OE vs non-OE. I have gotten real good (lots of time with Vipers, Crossfires, and Prowlers) at making it look like no one was ever there.

that is right. if the car was not an ss but was ordered with the f41 suspension, it also recieved the above mentioned bars. i left that out. i would think it is a little rare for the f41 package to be specially ordered on non ss cars. but definitely out there.

No F41 option on my '70...I've got two build sheets.
But, the car did come with these bars from the factory. No doubt!
I'm only the 3rd owner and the previous two weren't into doing performance modifications. When I bought the car, it was still the original 2 bbl numbers matching 350 motor with cast manifolds and AC. The Chevelle also NEVER had a rear sway bar. Item #17 Stab Bar of the build sheet notes "OE-K".
If that means anything...

well, there is no reason for those bars to be on there from the factory. it doesnot fit the criteria. its not a wagon, elcamino or chevelle SS and it was not ordered with the f41 suspension package. somebody must of wanted them on there because it doesnt fit the norm. :confused: was it ordered with a tow hitch? maybe it was part of a towing package option?

sorry - error post
I have CRS!

huh? ohhh "cant remember stuff!"

Originally posted by BillsCamino:
No F41 option on my '70...I've got two build sheets.
But, the car did come with these bars from the factory. No doubt!
I'm only the 3rd owner and the previous two weren't into doing performance modifications. When I bought the car, it was still the original 2 bbl numbers matching 350 motor with cast manifolds and AC. The Chevelle also NEVER had a rear sway bar. Item #17 Stab Bar of the build sheet notes "OE-K".
If that means anything... Read my previous post, just because nobody asked for them doesn't mean some tech didn't put them there. Maybe there was a tech bulletin for something that seems unrelated to you but to the factory it supposed to fix something. I know for a fact at least once a week I add something to a customer car that they will never know about.

As with what Dennis said... These were rushed assembly line workers... Maybe a tech bulletin or a mistake...

Back in 66, the wagons did NOT get these braces, only BB cars (only supposed to be on BB cars), SS and El Caminos. Probably a few got added here and there at the factory...

Not a performance piece, but Heavy Duty (probably why wagons got them later on).