help with frame repair - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

cheyenne10 · 11-21-2002, 02:13 AM

Will a frame notched for headers just behind motor mount affect its strength? Can the notches be hidden or fixed to regular rail again? I would assume a very good welder could cut out enough material and make a matched patch and fit back in to look like new. Any thoughts on steel integrity in this area? I would wnat to finish frame and have showy engine compartment. I'm not a header fan, stock manifolds are for me!!

JimKshortstep4x4 · 11-21-2002, 09:19 AM

Not knowing what the notches looks like or whether access to the areas is available, my thoughts are, yes it can be fixed and more importantly it should be fixed. When they notched it did they reenforce it? I assume not.

A good welder could fabricate a piece and weld it in with good results if he can get at it. The weld areas can be ground down,
smoothed and painted with good results.

Jim

crazy longhorn · 11-21-2002, 09:40 AM

I have a small notch ea side on the bottom "lip" of the frame(scars for header clearance on a BB Olds)...... as long as they arent too deep, they wont hurt the strenght of the frame. Mine are approx 1/2" deep x 1 1/4" long.......Im gonna leave em , for future insanity(still have enough parts to build 3 more of those Olds monsters)......

cheyenne10 · 11-21-2002, 12:52 PM

Frame is bare. I asm still looking at pics myself and not sure how big nothces are. At least the one notch I know about is supposed to be ontop of passenger frame rail adjacent to header location. Looks like rough torch job. I've seen two like this lately. I don't want to be too picky but I don't have a welder or the skills. If I could pay competent welder for an hours labor and get done nicely it might help.

crazy longhorn · 11-21-2002, 01:08 PM

its hard to say without a pic, but if they are big notches, & or you plan on showing the truck, a good welder/fab guy could grind them smooth & weld a patch in. I would suggest using a mig or tig welder to control the amount of heat in the weld area. Good luck....crazy AL

cheyenne10 · 11-22-2002, 01:43 AM

Hopefully here is frame rail wiht cuts. I am looking for advise.

thanks.

Hooter · 11-22-2002, 01:46 AM

I cant really see where the notch is?

cheyenne10 · 11-22-2002, 01:58 AM

See above. I tried to show it (crude I know but I'm proud I got it posted tonight!!)

cheyenne10 · 11-22-2002, 12:34 PM

Any welders comments?

Erl · 11-22-2002, 12:48 PM

This cut-out will reduce the strength of your frame. Fix it period. I have 3 engineering degrees and deal with this type of thing on a daily basis.

**jerry moss** · 11-22-2002, 09:34 PM

Bob,
if you do all the grunt work yourself it will save you some money.clean the hacked up area with a small grinder, cut the patch pieces out of another frame and trim to fit. be sure to bevel the edges so you get good penetration when it gets welded. after it's welded top and bottom, you can grind the top weld smooth for a clean finish.
i have a section of frame out back that's about 16 inches long, it's the steering box mounting area off a 72 2wd. if you give me your measurements i'll take it to work and cut some patch pieces with my plasma cutter. i did this same fix on my cousin's 72 3/4 ton 4x4 and once it's cleaned and painted it looks good as new.send me a P.M. or you can shoot me a call at 925-634-2512.
hope this helps.

cheyenne10 · 11-23-2002, 06:59 PM

Thanks Jerry Moss. I will get back to everyone if this works out.

11-21-2002, 02:13 AM	#1
cheyenne10 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,512	help with frame repair Will a frame notched for headers just behind motor mount affect its strength? Can the notches be hidden or fixed to regular rail again? I would assume a very good welder could cut out enough material and make a matched patch and fit back in to look like new. Any thoughts on steel integrity in this area? I would wnat to finish frame and have showy engine compartment. I'm not a header fan, stock manifolds are for me!! __________________ Bob

11-21-2002, 09:40 AM	#3
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,402	I have a small notch ea side on the bottom "lip" of the frame(scars for header clearance on a BB Olds)...... as long as they arent too deep, they wont hurt the strenght of the frame. Mine are approx 1/2" deep x 1 1/4" long.......Im gonna leave em , for future insanity(still have enough parts to build 3 more of those Olds monsters)...... __________________ 69 longhorn,4" chop,3/5 drop, 1/2 ton suspension/disc brakes,1 1/2" body drop,steel tilt clip, 5.3/Edelbrock rpm intake/600 carb, Hooker streetrod shorties,2 1/2" exhaust/ H pipe/50's Flows , 6 spd Richmond trans,12 bolt/ 3.40 gears....

11-21-2002, 12:52 PM	#4
cheyenne10 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,512	bare frame Frame is bare. I asm still looking at pics myself and not sure how big nothces are. At least the one notch I know about is supposed to be ontop of passenger frame rail adjacent to header location. Looks like rough torch job. I've seen two like this lately. I don't want to be too picky but I don't have a welder or the skills. If I could pay competent welder for an hours labor and get done nicely it might help. __________________ Bob

11-21-2002, 01:08 PM	#5
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,402	its hard to say without a pic, but if they are big notches, & or you plan on showing the truck, a good welder/fab guy could grind them smooth & weld a patch in. I would suggest using a mig or tig welder to control the amount of heat in the weld area. Good luck....crazy AL __________________ 69 longhorn,4" chop,3/5 drop, 1/2 ton suspension/disc brakes,1 1/2" body drop,steel tilt clip, 5.3/Edelbrock rpm intake/600 carb, Hooker streetrod shorties,2 1/2" exhaust/ H pipe/50's Flows , 6 spd Richmond trans,12 bolt/ 3.40 gears....

11-22-2002, 01:43 AM	#6
cheyenne10 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,512	pic of frame trim Hopefully here is frame rail wiht cuts. I am looking for advise. thanks. Attached Images __________________ Bob Last edited by cheyenne10; 11-22-2002 at 01:57 AM.

11-21-2002, 09:19 AM	#2
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	Not knowing what the notches looks like or whether access to the areas is available, my thoughts are, yes it can be fixed and more importantly it should be fixed. When they notched it did they reenforce it? I assume not. A good welder could fabricate a piece and weld it in with good results if he can get at it. The weld areas can be ground down, smoothed and painted with good results. Jim

11-22-2002, 01:46 AM	#7
Hooter My other Love Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Castlegar B.C. Canada Posts: 4,085	I cant really see where the notch is? __________________ Castlegar B.C.The great white North (Canada Eh!) Hooter_5@hotmail.com First generation Monte Carlo club pictures of my life

11-22-2002, 01:58 AM	#8
cheyenne10 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,512	I tried to circle it See above. I tried to show it (crude I know but I'm proud I got it posted tonight!!) __________________ Bob

11-22-2002, 12:34 PM	#9
cheyenne10 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,512	ttt Any welders comments? __________________ Bob

11-22-2002, 12:48 PM	#10
Erl Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 555	This cut-out will reduce the strength of your frame. Fix it period. I have 3 engineering degrees and deal with this type of thing on a daily basis. __________________ 1968 GMC 305 V6 3/4 4x4 Stepside 06 Corvette Daily Driver Dallas TX

11-22-2002, 09:34 PM	#11
jerry moss Born Psycho Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: brentwood,cal,usa Posts: 4,915	Bob, if you do all the grunt work yourself it will save you some money.clean the hacked up area with a small grinder, cut the patch pieces out of another frame and trim to fit. be sure to bevel the edges so you get good penetration when it gets welded. after it's welded top and bottom, you can grind the top weld smooth for a clean finish. i have a section of frame out back that's about 16 inches long, it's the steering box mounting area off a 72 2wd. if you give me your measurements i'll take it to work and cut some patch pieces with my plasma cutter. i did this same fix on my cousin's 72 3/4 ton 4x4 and once it's cleaned and painted it looks good as new.send me a P.M. or you can shoot me a call at 925-634-2512. hope this helps. __________________ jerry moss 72 cheyenne super K20- tilt,tach,vacuum,speedwarning,buckets,shoulder belts,am/fm,tow hooks,bumper guards,toolbox,aux. fuel tank,posi front and rear,plus other goodies!!! SOLD 69 suburban K20-tilt,tach,vacuum,speedwarning,buckets,shoulder belts,am/fm,4 inch all spring lift,4 speed, 14 bolt full floater, dana 44 HD,warn winch,posi front and rear,tow hooks,plus other goodies. 73/80 chevy/gmc K20 SB400,turbo 400,205,tilt,a-c,gas hog. 77 K/5 cheyenne blazer-daily driver/beater. SON HAS IT NOW BRENTWOOD,CALIFORNIA

11-23-2002, 06:59 PM	#12
cheyenne10 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,512	thanks Thanks Jerry Moss. I will get back to everyone if this works out. __________________ Bob

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