[ss396boy]

Donor Frame section.... **PICS NOW ADDED**

Anyone know where I can find a front left section of a 69 camino frame? I need the section right behind the lower control arms. I was thinking of cutting this section out and then welding in piece from a donor car.

Would it be best to get the frame aligned and then cut out the section? or leave it? The frame is pushed in quite a bit.

 

[sevt_chevelle]

Get the frame checked out first!!!
If its pushed in/bent in that area more then likey you have some pretty good frame damage. The frame guy might be able to pull it out.

I would NOT section a piece of frame, speciality in the area you are talking. Thats a high stress spot and the possiblility for future failure is MUCH HIGHER. Its only your own personal safety and others out on the road...Eric

 

[ss396boy]

So are my options to try to pull it out and hope it gets aligned again?

What about heating the frame up to push the metal back into place?

The old repair was a piece of 1/4" steel that was welded over the tie down holes. Here is a pic of the damaged area:

Nasty I know, i'm going to clean it up

Here is a shot above:

You can see the part of the frame that is slightly creased on the top lip of the fram.

I was thinking I could cut out part of that area that is really damaged and weld in a new piece. I was not planning on cutting the entire frame width. I think if I could cut out that area a good repair could be made.

 

[sevt_chevelle]

Number 1 thing to do, take it to a frame shop, it needs to be checked. And by judging from the horrible "repair" I would say there is still a good amount of damage still in the frame.
That frame has had a hard life, its been hit HARD in the front. That plate is probably welded over cracks or buckles. Either way its weakened in that area.

You start cutting that thing apart without it being fixed you run the risk of releasing any stored damage. You do that you WILL have a mess on your hands, even bigger then what you got now.
As I said before that section of the frame is highly stressed, that is not a place to cut and weld a frame. There is not a single car manufacture or repair organization that recommends sectioning in that area of the frame!

Personally I think it needs a frame.

 

[ss396boy]

Ya, I called a shop and they want $75 to put it on a frame rack. I'm torn on what to do. I wanted to keep the original frame with the car, but if it's beyond repair I really don't want to risk spending all this time attempting to fix it. Especially if I can get a frame for $200 or so.

Thanks for the info again Eric

 

[sevt_chevelle]

Ya, I called a shop and they want $75 to put it on a frame rack. I'm torn on what to do. I wanted to keep the original frame with the car, but if it's beyond repair I really don't want to risk spending all this time attempting to fix it. Especially if I can get a frame for $200 or so.

Thanks for the info again Eric

For 200 bucks I wouldnt even pi$$ with it. Whats a donor section gonna cost? What kind of time frame you think it would take to "repair" that area?
As I keep saying it needs a frame...Eric

 

[LateNight72]

Dice and slice the stamped numbers from the original frame to the new one... :clonk:

 

[Philip]

the front section of the frame is the same as an unboxed Chevelle including 4 doors and wagons. The center section and rear section are all model specific. If you want to retain the vin and plant numbers you can seam in a complete front piece at the factory welds with out losing strength or integrity. But I wouldn't try to splice in a patch on the one side.