Subframe i.d.

[bowt1ed]

We'll, on round 2 I finally have a bare frame (almost) ready for blasting/coating. Now that I have all front suspension components off and can see all the numbers, I need a good source to verify my casting numbers and positively I.D. My subframe. I am fairly confident it is a 2nd Gen, but know there still are differences in ball joints, etc. A couple of the #'s I have are:
371675 K1 L10 8D and 371676 K1 A12 8D on the spindles
3964881GMT 70B on the pitman arm
K B29L and K1 6B9R on the upper control arms

Anyone know a good source? Thanks, Jim

[_Ogre]

[OrrieG]

I googled one of the spindle part numbers like "GM 371675" and came up with pages of information....

[mr48chev]

Yes photos work.

Front or rear steer?
Bolts that take a 9/16 wrench or nuts holding the bushings in place on the shaft on the upper A arms?

Spindles have the caliper brackets cast in or are the caliper brackets bolted on?

The casting numbers don't mean much unless a guy has the factory casting number info in front of him on a GM or one of us has access to them and even though I have quite a library on this stuff i have nothing with casting numbers in it outside of block, crank and cylinder head numbers..

[Stepside Jim]

Originally Posted by bowt1ed

We'll, on round 2 I finally have a bare frame (almost) ready for blasting/coating. Now that I have all front suspension components off and can see all the numbers, I need a good source to verify my casting numbers and positively I.D. My subframe. I am fairly confident it is a 2nd Gen, but know there still are differences in ball joints, etc. A couple of the #'s I have are:
371675 K1 L10 8D and 371676 K1 A12 8D on the spindles
3964881GMT 70B on the pitman arm
K B29L and K1 6B9R on the upper control arms

Anyone know a good source? Thanks, Jim

Hi bowt1ed, one item that got me closer to determining what year my front clip was the front wheel bearing part numbers. Fortunately for me, the bearings were only used a couple of years on the Camaro, something like 79 -81.

Good luck, Jim

[bowt1ed]

Thanks for all the info. I will post pics as soon as I can figure how to get them from my phone to this I-pad. Seriously - soon.

[bowt1ed]

Here are a couple of photos. Also, any idea what those plates are welded to both driver/passenger side of engine cross member? Appears to have been stock (although one side has been cut down), but I haven't noticed them on other subframe pics.

Thanks, Jim

[mr48chev]

I think GM started putting those covers over the rag joint in about 1974 but it may be 73. I was working in a Pontiac dealership in Waco then and the factory rep said it was because rocks were getting caught in the rag joint and binding the steering.

The quick key is that there are three different A frame bushings for Chevelle size GM cars and the Camaro/firebirds and by matching the upper bushings you can hit it pretty close.

The Moog K5196 Fits most pre 70 Chevrolets 67/69 Camaros and up through 72 Chevelles. I'm almost positive that is not what you have. They are quite a bit smaller and shorter than the later units.


The K6108 fits 70/73 Camaro and 73v Chevelle among other vehicles
This subframe/stub might be what you have if the upper a frame bushings look like this and the flange goes in flush to the A frame.

The 74 and up units used a bushing that looks like this With the little nubbies that hold it off the A arm a bit.


Which ever bushings you have in the upper A arms should determine what year of frame you have and you should be able to get parts according to that.

[bowt1ed]

Thanks 48!

[bowt1ed]

Any idea what those (mounting?) plates between the subframe rails and engine cross members are? I don't recall seeing them on any other member's subframe, and wonder if they may be specific to a model or year. The one on the driver's side, by the rag joint, looks factory fit.

[OrrieG]

Photo on the passenger side is not clear but if you were to slide the motor mount up on the driver side it looks like the bolt holes almost line up?? I wonder if the other side was wider and has been cut off. And if they were alternate motor mount locations for a longer six or????

[bowt1ed]

Yeah, the passenger side has definitely been cut. The welds show it going down to the bottom of the motor mount. Hmm, interesting - never thought about it possibly being alternate motor mounts.

[skymangs]

I think the plates were added at some point. I've never seen them on any 2nd Gen Camaro stub. That definitely looks to me like 2nd Gen Camaro.

[bowt1ed]

Originally Posted by mr48chev

I think GM started putting those covers over the rag joint in about 1974 but it may be 73. I was working in a Pontiac dealership in Waco then and the factory rep said it was because rocks were getting caught in the rag joint and binding the steering.

The quick key is that there are three different A frame bushings for Chevelle size GM cars and the Camaro/firebirds and by matching the upper bushings you can hit it pretty close.

The Moog K5196 Fits most pre 70 Chevrolets 67/69 Camaros and up through 72 Chevelles. I'm almost positive that is not what you have. They are quite a bit smaller and shorter than the later units.


The K6108 fits 70/73 Camaro and 73v Chevelle among other vehicles
This subframe/stub might be what you have if the upper a frame bushings look like this and the flange goes in flush to the A frame.

The 74 and up units used a bushing that looks like this With the little nubbies that hold it off the A arm a bit.


Which ever bushings you have in the upper A arms should determine what year of frame you have and you should be able to get parts according to that.

Yes, I have the nubbies.

So, as I was looking up Moog part #'s for replacing the steering linkage, I noticed a difference in the listed lengths of both outer and inner tie rod ends between 1974 (mid 2nd Gen) and 1980-81.

Outers- 1974 ES404RL = 5.75", 1980 ES441RL = 8.09"
Inners- 1974 DS781/2 = 12.10", 1980 ES442/3L = 9.11"

After measuring mine, it appears I may have a 1980/81 2nd Gen. Am I on track here?

Thanks, Jim

[ChuckDriver]

If the caliper banjo bolt heads are 10mm then its a 78 or later. That is unless someone swapped them out some time in the past!