1963 - 1967 Frame Wall Thickness?

[James W.]

I'm looking for the nominal frame wall thickness for a 1963 to 1967 Corvette. Did a quick search here and in my 1964 and 1965 AIM, but did find anything.

Anyone know what it is?

Thanks,

James

[Robert P.]

James I will have time on Friday to measure my frame rails before I drop the body back on the chassis
let me know if that works for you
Bob .

[Tom D.]

Have heard the frames got thinner, sometime early in the third (C3) generation.
A google search does not agree :
C1 (1953-1962)

• Frame: Steel tube construction.
• Thickness: Approximately 0.120 inches.

C2 (1963-1967)

• Frame: Improved steel tube design.
• Thickness: Similar to C1, around 0.120 inches.

C3 (1968-1982)

• Frame: Stiffer design with added reinforcements.
• Thickness: Approximately 0.120 inches.

Bob: Lower, not drop.

[James W.]

Robert,

Thanks for the offer to measure your frame. Let me know what you get.

Tom,

Thanks for the information.

Thanks,

James

[David H.]

James

As Tom Dingman noted - frame thickness on my 1980 is just shy of 1/8" or 0.12"

Dave

[Harry S.]

James, I'm scratching my head as to why the question. If you are doing a repair, then matching the steel makes sense.

But if you are trying to determine if the frame is solid, then I would have the weight of the frame as a primary consideration. Best estimates is that a bare C2 frame weighed about 260 pounds. If your frame weighs 160 pounds, you have lost 100 pounds to rust and time and it's now unsafe. Time to replace the frame.

[James W.]

Harry,

I am verifying the frame wall thickness so I can purchase the correct size rivet nut to insert into some of the stripped out holes for my a/c equipped '65 coupe, since they are on the driver's side and did not get the same threaded inserts at the factory as cars not equipped with a/c. The battery tray original bolt size for the a/c equipped cars are 5/16"-24 x 3/4". The 5/16"-24 threaded rivet nut inserts have different "grip ranges". I want to verify that the rivet nut insert with the .027" to .150" "grip range" falls within the nominal frame wall thickness. By the responses I've received, it looks like the rivet nut size I've located will work. Just need to find a small piece of carbon steel plate or aluminum that is approximately 0.120 inches and do a test install before trying it in the frame.

James

image0.jpg

[Harry S.]

James, got it!

[Robert P.]

I measured my frame in a few place today , it was lightly blasted and painted with GM restoration paint
most places it was 1.115 -118 , frame is a early Sept 65 frame
Bob Peckham

[Robert P.]

my reading was .115-118 sorry for the typo error
Bob

[James W.]

Thanks to all who offered info. My rivet nut inserts arrived this morning along with the installation tooling. Just need to go buy a 17/32 dia. drill bit and them perform a test tit with a 11 gauge/0.120 inch thick piece of carbon steel. will report back once I've inserted them in the frame.

Thanks,

James