How can you do a "ballpark" check or measurement for good frame alignment early in the restoration process without taking the body off the frame? :confused:

Thanks for any help. Charles

frame alignment to the body? or do you mean measurements to determine if the frame is straight?

Baddbob71, I meant to see if the frame is straight. Sorry about the confusion.

Thanks, Charles

Charles, if you cross measure the frame at a number of points, it will give you pretty good idea. Look on one frame rail in the rear (for instance, you can do the same at the front) you find a hole, a "control point" where the exact hole is found on the other rail. You could use a rivit as well. Find one to use that is as far forward as you can. Then you find another control point at the rear of the rail, like a bumper bolt hole or something. If you measure from the left forward one, to the right rearward one and record the length. Then do the same from the right forward one to the left rearward one, they should be within a quarter inch. Use common sense in that the tape should not be obstructed by anything that will bend the tape and give you a wrong measurement.

After you have done this, find some other control points and measure them to conferm your findings, don't just go with one.

This is the fastest way and the first measurement done in frame or body repair to let you know basically where you are.

I would also say that if your sheetmetal hung well on the car your frame is fine. That is usually the first sign. It is not like we go around measuring all the frames of cars we work on in the shop. There must be a sign that makes us think the frame could be out of specs. It is only then (usually, there are exceptions of course), that we would even measure it at all.

Martinsir, thanks for your reply! This will really help me out on whether or not to proceed any further with the restoration.

Charles