'64 frame replacement

[Tom L.]

Hi all, My brother-in-law decided to take his body off the frame to make some repairs, it was a mess in 1986 when he bought it. Seems the BODY was holding the frame together, the frame dropped after the body mounts were disconnected.

I remember reading that there is a manufacurer of repro frames using GM tooling. Can someone send me in the right direction? Also, is there a source for used frames we can contact? Thanks!!!

[Timothy B.]

Re: '64 frame replacement

Lynn,

Do a search on Vette Products of Michigan and you will find lots of good information.

[Dick W.]

Re: '64 frame replacement

Vette Products of Michigan http://www.vetteproducts.net/

[Edward J.]

Re: '64 frame replacement

Lynn, Vette products of mich. is making the corvette frames , the have the tooling from gm and there the only way to go. america's finest is the other they use Calif. donors from junk yards and refurbish them , but there almost as much a new one.

[Harry S.]

Re: '64 frame replacement

Lynn, take extensive pictures of the 64 frame if your planning to have it judged. You will need them to replicate all of the holes in the frame, cross-members etc.

Otherwise just use the new repro-frame.

[Dale M.]

Re: '64 frame replacement

If you replaced the frame would you have the serial number re-stamped in the replacement frame? Is this legal? Might you use that section of the old frame and weld into the new frame? Wanted to know what others do about the serial numbers on a frame that is replaced or restored.

You might want to consider having the rusted pieces removed and welding in new parts and keep as much of the frame as you can.

[Harry S.]

Re: '64 frame replacement

Save the old section, stamp the frame.

[Michael G.]

Re: '64 frame replacement

If you replaced the frame would you have the serial number re-stamped in the replacement frame? Is this legal? Might you use that section of the old frame and weld into the new frame? Wanted to know what others do about the serial numbers on a frame that is replaced or restored.

You might want to consider having the rusted pieces removed and welding in new parts and keep as much of the frame as you can.

Yes this could be done but what's the point. To a large degree the numbers are impossible to be seen. A great deal of labor would do into this process and you still do not have an original frame even with the numbers added. Move on......enjoy working and building a brand new frame with no issues. You don't have to second guess the integrity of what you have.

[Dale M.]

Re: '64 frame replacement

I called the Ohio Highway Patrol and I was told by them that if I replaced the entire frame then my car would have to be retitled as a home built car. I did not want to loose my original title and vin number, I wanted to see if others ran into this situation.

[Tom L.]

Re: '64 frame replacement

Thanks to all, this car will be very unlikely judged but that's another story. While I'm aware that the basic platform is similar for 63-82 frames, is it possible, or realistic, to put a later year frame under the car? thanks!!

[Dick W.]

Re: '64 frame replacement

I called the Ohio Highway Patrol and I was told by them that if I replaced the entire frame then my car would have to be retitled as a home built car. I did not want to loose my original title and vin number, I wanted to see if others ran into this situation.

Some questions are better unasked.

We have replaced several frames over the years. The ones that the VIN was legible, we just took a cut off tool and removed that section and inserted it into the new frame. Two hour job, including grinding the welds where you inserted it into the new frame, max time. The others, we just stamped the VIN in the appropiate place.

We did two body off restorations that there was NO VIN anywhere on the frame. No evidence of it being obliberated, welded over, ground down, anything.

[Harry S.]

Re: '64 frame replacement

I agree with Dick, silence is golden.

The 63 frame was unique. The 64 frame had slight changes. 65 and up were rather different because of the BB requirements.

[John H.]

Re: '64 frame replacement

There are posts on CF forum that detail just that procedure. A fair amount of work.

[Dale M.]

Re: '64 frame replacement

I know of a '64 that had a '65 frame put under it. I did not do the work so I am not sure just how difficult that was. I did find out that the '65 frame had some additional gussets strengthening up the center cross member and the front cross member drops down lower for the BB motors. As far as I know all of the body mounts are the same, so it should not be a hard job for these 2 years. Most people talk about '62 to '67 being similar, but check it out before proceeding in this direction. I like the idea of the new frame. No chance of being off a stolen car or something like that.

[Michael G.]

Re: '64 frame replacement

Most people talk about '62 to '67 being similar, but check it out before proceeding in this direction. I like the idea of the new frame. No chance of being off a stolen car or something like that.

Let's not confuse these folks Dale. '62 frame is totally different.