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I am looking at buying a 67 Chevelle SS (L35), but it has an odd crack or bad weld on the frame. Photos attached. Possibly factory weld that is coming apart?

Anyway, I am wondering if anyone has seen this, what the problem might be and how concerned I should be. The rest of the car is pretty great. Thank you in advance for any input.

Jim

 

[Bronze68]

Typical poor weld from the factory, not a crack. I’ve seen way worse and wouldn’t sweat that. Easy to fix if so desired.

 

[billdini]

Not IMO. Cold weld not done by a pro. Yes it is fixable but have a frame shop make sure it’s straight and weld it correctly

 

[454chevSS]

check around the lower control arm mounts at frame,as well my 70 has similar looks like popcorn weld or is breaking down over years

 

[Bob Tiley]

That's no crack that is where the factory welded 2 pieces of the frame together. A lot of the welds on factory frames look like that.

 

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I welcome any more posts, but really appreciate the information in the posts I have received so far. Big money on the car, and just don't want to regret it. But, as I said, it is a great car. Thanks all again,

JIm

 

[billdini]

That's no crack that is where the factory welded 2 pieces of the frame together. A lot of the welds on factory frames look like that.

My 11 year old grandson welds better then that. I have done my share of frame offs and never have seen poor welding like that. And if a GM guy did and the inspector missed it they should have been fired right after the welder

 

[chaze]

Assembly line interruption for an unrelated cause. Supervisor then steps up speed of the line to meet the daily quota. Workers have no choice but obedience and the weld got rushed. Daily quota gets met. Supervisor gets a raise and blames the shoddy workmanship on knuckle dragging union thugs.

 

[Rich-L79]

That's not a crack. It may not be pretty, but if that weld has lasted 55 years without any problems I think it would be good to go for another 55. The appearance of the weld is just evidence that these cars were mass produced on a rapidly moving assembly line.

 

[427L88]

My 11 year old grandson welds better then that.

My 21 year old son viewed that and delcared it "typical". "bad typical". 21 year old professional welder and machinist. He's been LOL on the Chevelle welds for years now. Maybe alot of what chaze said back in the day...

 

[billdini]

Assembly line interruption for an unrelated cause. Supervisor then steps up speed of the line to meet the daily quota. Workers have no choice but obedience and the weld got rushed. Daily quota gets met. Supervisor gets a raise and blames the shoddy workmanship on knuckle dragging union thugs.

And why the Japanese took over the market in the 80's.

 

[427L88]

I should have seen it coming using Nikon's and Minolta's in the 70's.

 

[DUTCH MAX HEADWORK]

And why the Japanese took over the market in the 80's.

If we look hard enough we'll find crap welds from them too. You don't see any of those cars on the road anymore, yet that Chevelle with the ugly weld is still a sought for commodity.

If the weld appearance bothers the OP, then grind it out and reweld it. Easy peasy. It's been on the road for 50 plus years and still holding.

 

[billdini]

Poor quality control is no excuse from any car manufacturer. What would it be like if it was on the road for 50 years Al?

 

[DUTCH MAX HEADWORK]

It's not as bad as this factory weld. 🤪

Eay fix though.

 

[billdini]

Yes the one without enough weld was similar to my frame in some areas and yup a simple fix once the body is off the frame😎

 

[DUTCH MAX HEADWORK]

Yes the one without enough weld was similar to my frame in some areas and yup a simple fix once the body is off the frame😎

I think the welder must have been blind. Well probably not, I can do better than that with my eyes closed.

 

[427L88]

Fellas, my step dad was a GM exec, and it was COMMON KNOWLEGE not to buy a car made on Monday or Friday. Hangover, or even some vodka for breakfast / lunch was, I beleive, the root cause.

Self-induced blindness Al, potentially.