1983 Chevy Frame Question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

apbmalibu · 12-23-2011, 02:02 PM

I just looked at an 83 Chevy short box 2 wheel drive. When I was under it, I noticed that right where the catalytic used to be, the bottom of the frame dips down. The top part of the channel is flat, but the bottom part sort of bows down. Is that factory? It doesnt have any marks where someone would have pounded it down or anything, but looks sort of out of place. Does anyone know what I'm talking about? Instead of the lower part of the frame rail being at a 90 degree angle, it dips down.

J Knight · 12-23-2011, 02:48 PM

My 82 has that same dip and so does my neighbors 85.

Keith Seymore · 12-23-2011, 07:11 PM

Yes - clearance for the converter.

K

ozark · 12-23-2011, 07:28 PM

you would have thought they would have redesigned the converter before they would have put that in bend in the frame.

cjlinkster · 12-23-2011, 10:46 PM

My 1984 is exactly the same way. It must have been factory procedure to bend the bottom lip down in that area.

apbmalibu · 12-24-2011, 07:49 AM

Thanks guys. It looks incredibly strange, but it's such a smooth transition that it didnt look like it could have been bent by a hammer.

12-23-2011, 02:02 PM	#1
apbmalibu Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Adell, wi Posts: 3	1983 Chevy Frame Question I just looked at an 83 Chevy short box 2 wheel drive. When I was under it, I noticed that right where the catalytic used to be, the bottom of the frame dips down. The top part of the channel is flat, but the bottom part sort of bows down. Is that factory? It doesnt have any marks where someone would have pounded it down or anything, but looks sort of out of place. Does anyone know what I'm talking about? Instead of the lower part of the frame rail being at a 90 degree angle, it dips down.

12-23-2011, 02:48 PM	#2
J Knight Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Baytown TX Posts: 2,219	Re: 1983 Chevy Frame Question My 82 has that same dip and so does my neighbors 85. __________________ John 82 Chevy Silverado 350ci/TH350

12-23-2011, 07:11 PM	#3
Keith Seymore Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Motor City Posts: 9,227	Re: 1983 Chevy Frame Question Yes - clearance for the converter. K __________________ 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/

12-23-2011, 07:28 PM	#4
ozark Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Eureka Springs AR Posts: 179	Re: 1983 Chevy Frame Question you would have thought they would have redesigned the converter before they would have put that in bend in the frame.

12-23-2011, 10:46 PM	#5
cjlinkster Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Atlanta ga Posts: 150	Re: 1983 Chevy Frame Question My 1984 is exactly the same way. It must have been factory procedure to bend the bottom lip down in that area. __________________ 1984 C20, 454, 4 speed named "Gold Member"

12-24-2011, 07:49 AM	#6
apbmalibu Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Adell, wi Posts: 3	Re: 1983 Chevy Frame Question Thanks guys. It looks incredibly strange, but it's such a smooth transition that it didnt look like it could have been bent by a hammer.



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