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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2022
Location: San Diego California
Posts: 3
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Mechanic cut frame to fit headers, how bad is it?
Hey all, it’s been awhile and my truck has been getting worked on over a year for an engine/ tranny swap. The engine came from a 69 Camaro but same thing, small block Chevy and turbo 400 out and in. Just higher performance and a 383.
Anyways the mechanic kept the headers from the Camaro and cut the frame to make them fit. I’m not happy at all and looking to get a second opinion. How bad is it, and my concern is the frame cracking eventually. |
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#2 | ||
"I ain't nobody, dork."
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Whidbey Island, Washington
Posts: 8,936
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Re: Mechanic cut frame to fit headers, how bad is it?
I don't think I'd call that dude a "mechanic". Especially if a SBC engine swap took over a year. But the frame will be fine. It appears he drilled a big hole to get a saw blade in there. There are a couple of spots that should get welded up a bit. It's unsightly, yet repairable.
Gary
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'cuz chicks dig scars... My 1972 GMC 1500 Super Custom (Creeping Death) "long term" build thread. The Rebuild of Creeping Death after the wreck Quote:
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#3 |
Post Whore
![]() Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Portland Oregon
Posts: 11,090
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Re: Mechanic cut frame to fit headers, how bad is it?
Personally I would be concerned with cracks starting in the spots with red arrows and possibly at the yellow arrow too. The photo makes it had to tell if the spot at the yellow arrow has any sharp corners. The mechanic had the rights idea when he drilled the hole at the front end but lost it in execution. Those 2 cuts from the saw blade in the drilled spot are prime places for cracks to start.
And if it was my truck I would weld in a patch piece similar to the green out line in the second photo. The PO of my Burban cut the frame but with a torch which didn't leave any sharp corners. I only had to grind the slag off and make sure there were no sharp corners for cracks to start. Without measuring I don't believe the cutout in my Burban's frame is as deep into the Cee of the frame as yours is, but it is close.
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Thanks to Bob and Jeanie and everyone else at Superior Performance for all their great help. ![]() RIP Bob Parks. 1967 Burban (the WMB),1988 S10 Blazer (the Stink10 II),1969 GTO (the Goat), 1970 Javelin, 1952 F2 Ford OHC six 4X4, 29 Model A, 72 Firebird (the DBP Bird). 85 Alfa Romeo If it breaks I didn't want it in the first place The WMB repair thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=698377 |
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Indianapolis
Posts: 1,162
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Re: Mechanic cut frame to fit headers, how bad is it?
you need to sue "the mechanic"
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#5 | |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Motor City
Posts: 9,194
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Re: Mechanic cut frame to fit headers, how bad is it?
Quote:
K
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Chevrolet Flint Assembly 1979-1986 GM Full Size Truck Engineering 1986 - 2019 Intro from an Old Assembly Guy: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342926 My Pontiac story: http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=560524 Chevelle intro: http://www.superchevy.com/features/s...hevy-chevelle/ |
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Eastern Oregon
Posts: 2,329
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Re: Mechanic cut frame to fit headers, how bad is it?
Question? Could you drill holes further outside the cut and bolt a plate on top for rigidity and removable ?
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71 C-20 07 Magnum RT AWD |
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#7 |
The Niner
![]() Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Broad Brook, CT
Posts: 2,493
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Re: Mechanic cut frame to fit headers, how bad is it?
Clean job with mine, looks like the factory did it.
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"A good racer is one whose head is in communication with his balls." - Richie Evans 1970 C/20 - 402/TH400/3.54s - 74K miles 2003 GMC Sierra 2500 - Wheatland Yellow Niner Progression Thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=697183 Classic Trucks article: https://www.motortrend.com/features/...et-c20-driven/ |
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Tahuya WA
Posts: 560
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Re: Mechanic cut frame to fit headers, how bad is it?
FerKrissakes get some headers that clear the frame to begin with!
![]() ...then get a new mechanic. But since you're already in this situation, do like others have said and reinforce the frame, otherwise every time you start pulling some torque out of that 383 the thought will be in the back of your mind. ...just my worthless opinion. ![]() |
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#9 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Orem, Utah
Posts: 7,901
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Re: Mechanic cut frame to fit headers, how bad is it?
A bolted plate is not going to give it much strength. It needs to be welded.
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I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man. - Thomas Jefferson |
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#10 | |
Born Psycho
![]() Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: brentwood,cal,usa
Posts: 4,873
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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 |
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Carlos MN
Posts: 2,038
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Re: Mechanic cut frame to fit headers, how bad is it?
I would get in there with a die grinder and get rid of the drill hole and then a make a plate 3/16" contoured as needed to allow room for the header. Butt weld it in and grind flush.
As shown above it would of been much better to pull the header and and die grind the frame a bit until you had good clearance. |
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#12 |
Who Changed This?
![]() Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Simi Valley, CA
Posts: 10,374
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Re: Mechanic cut frame to fit headers, how bad is it?
The guy never hear of "tuning dings", methinks. Dents in the headers wouldn't have hurt performance much (if at all), and the frame would have been fine, left alone.
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~Steven '70 Chevy 3/4T Longhorn CST 402/400/3.56 Custom Camper Simi Valley, CA |
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#13 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Kent, WA.
Posts: 834
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Re: Mechanic cut frame to fit headers, how bad is it?
It should be fixed as said above and you should also look around to see what else the butcher hacked up for what should be a simple install.
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#14 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern Nevada
Posts: 7,224
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Re: Mechanic cut frame to fit headers, how bad is it?
Wow. Someone really wanted those headers.
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Tony 71 Custom Deluxe, SWB, 2WD, 402, A/C. I developed an assembly kit for restoring the (a) truck from the ground up. My build thread, and more on the assembly kit https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=730025 |
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#15 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2023
Location: Waterloo Iowa
Posts: 247
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Re: Mechanic cut frame to fit headers, how bad is it?
My truck has Hedman headers, not sure what they are supposed to fit. Previous owner clearanced the frame. I thought it was a decent job.
I agree with the others, I would use cardboard as a template on yours and make a patch piece and weld it in. From the pictures, it doesn’t look like much clearance is needed for your headers. Also agree not to use that mechanic 🤪 going forward. |
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#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2022
Location: Moorpark, CA
Posts: 755
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Re: Mechanic cut frame to fit headers, how bad is it?
This would qualify as a "hack" mod. A good welder can box in that area and clean it up. May have to pull the header on that side for welding access. This can be fixed to look right and restore, actually improve, structural integrity of the frame.
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