VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1949-1954 Frame measurements needed

When I bought my 50 coupe the frame had been hacked for a V8 but I want to put it back to stock. I found what I thought was the prefect replacement , a 4 door that had got hit in the quarter panel.


But when I got the body off the frame it was tweaked on the driver side at the bend that goes over the rear end.





So I have a idea of using the driver side of the hacked frame and replacing the other frame's bad side I just hate popping all those rivets. And or just section the bad part out.

Before taking this on I want to make sure all my measurements are correct so any help will be great. thanks Ed

Over the years, I have seen many SBC installed in the '49 to '54, but I can't recall seeing a frame "hacked" because of adding the V8.
New mounts were bolted or welded to the frame, possibly the firewall stiffeners were trimmed or removed, but just haven't seen frame hacking, but there's always the first time, I guess.

I don't know the full content of the info in the link below, it may be a start, on the path to straighten the replacement frame.
I would need to be fully convinced that the V8 frame had to be ejected, before kicking it to the curb.
Good luck with your project..
http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/220545144735?lpid=82&chn=ps&ul_noapp=true

the frame work was unfinished , trans mount was cut off . Just a G body rear end and front suspension. The downer car had full suspension, drive train and everything under hood , I was hoping more or less just dropping the body on it. So now either I hunt down another downer car or frame or make something out of the two.


thanks for the link

See if you can find a Mitchell Manual on the internet. There are also other Crash Manuals (can't remember the name Holander?) that have frame straightening information. I haven't used one in over 40 years but they were the "bibles" when I worked in a body shop.

When you say tweaked I get the impression that it was not obvious before removing the body. That leaves me to believe that a good frame shop should be able to straighten it quite easily and I don't think it should be that expensive. Before you start cutting and drilling rivets I suggest checking with a frame shop.

no its obvious , I just couldn't tell cause the way the body/ sheet metal was bent over to get a really good look. not till I got the body off that I could see how bad it was. The frame was bent down. I'm might just shop around for another frame I hate to waist my time if it might be worst off than it looks.


But now you got me thinking , yea I did business a year of so back with a frame guy, I might check if he can pull the bend out.

If you have a frame guy with a modern frame machine and knows how to use it it will be a piece of cake for them to untweak the frame. I use four tiedowns in my shop floor, floor jack and porta-powers to straighten frames. Takes a bunch more experience but I had a great teacher.

Call Rocker King in Waukesha, WI 262-549-9583 Gary

About 5 yrs ago I purchased frame diagrams for 46-48 Chev showing all dimensions. He most likely has the same for your years.

Dick

So, your original frame had the G body front suspension "grafted" to the Chevy frame ?

no sorry I meant to say the front end was still the original ..

The Chevrolet Restoration Manual for 1951 calls out the maximum width over side member flanges to be 47", and max overall length of frame 171 7/16".

Not sure if the specs changed between 1950 and 1951. You might contact MSX International, 1426 Pacific Dr., Auburn Hills, MI 48326
800-222-1020

I was able to purchase a complete specifications manual for my 51 from them back in '03. Hopefully they're still in biz.
Good luck.

Also, if you're a VCCA member, contact your tech advisor for 1950 cars. They are an excellent source of tech info. Not a member? Great reason to join. Best 40 bucks you will ever spend.

I don't understand the need for a new frame, if the front end is still original.
If the transmission cross member on your original frame is missing, aftermarket tranny crossmembers are available, an easier solution than frame straightening and a frame swap.
Am I missing something here ?

I have a doner 51 if you need a frame

they also chopped up the K member were I will to have to take all of this off of the bent frame , Too the trans X member holds the E brake cable witch is gone too. I felt it would be EZ-er just to replace the frame from the downer car cause it was a full chasee .

yes..... I have 2 car lifts and a lot of tools. witch wont take long at all to swap.

Ok I went to the frame shop that I used one time and they were closed, so tried another place. I showed the guy at the counter pictures and told him I know you need to see the frame but I want an idea of price vs getting another frame. He told me it was $400 off the top and depends how many pull it gonna take for the final price.

Wow I know they have to make money but that price made me feel like I was getting way over charged.

I may have to take you up on it LOL.

What part of New Mexico are you in?

Albuquerque
You can have it but it might take us a day to strip it down

Thanks for your help your very generous but Albuquerque is little far from where I'm at I wish it was closer.