68 frame question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Lord_glum · 11-01-2019, 02:42 PM

Got my performance online engine mounts for the swap and ran into an issue. Seems my frame is too wide where they mount to the top of the frame. I see in pictures some frames are thinner there so the mounts bolt up. Is this something to do with it being a six cylinder frame?

**AussieinNC** · 11-01-2019, 04:13 PM

Here is your pic at a reduced size...

Nice work on that chassis !

I assume you are referring to the width of the top rail on the frame....

Maybe post another pic with a tape measure across the top of the rail so we can see the width....

One question for you...the upper A arm pivot bolts thru the chassis...are they captive within the chassis? If not, they will be difficult to loosen for alignment purposes.....just wondering...

Lord_glum · 11-01-2019, 05:51 PM

Thanks for the compliment.

The frame is 2.5” from lip to the outside of the rail.

The bolts are captive. It’s the qa1 setup.

Thanks for the resize as well.

firedemon · 11-01-2019, 08:27 PM

mine was a 6 and they went right in so im not sure what the deal is

Lord_glum · 11-01-2019, 08:51 PM

Here is another picture.

KMC3420 · 11-01-2019, 10:41 PM

It appears you need the POL wide mounts. They have two sets. One for wide frame rails and one for narrow frame rails. Do you recall which part number you purchased? From my understanding some 68’s have the wide frame and some narrow, possibly a change over year. Could you possibly have a 67 frame?

Wide Frame

Narrow Frame

Lord_glum · 11-02-2019, 04:42 PM

It’s a 68 frame according to the stamp and the tags.

I didn’t know the had a wide version of the mounts. I assume you are talking about the 67 and earlier mounts?

**Jason Banks** · 11-02-2019, 04:50 PM

Yes he's talking about the 67 and earlier mounts.

For some reason many of the early 68 trucks are more like the 67. Have you tried to put a power steering gear box on that frame yet? I would bet it doesn't have the dimple in the frame to allow the box to sit flush. I also have a 1968 that has the wide rails like yours and does not have the dimple for the gear box. Build date on my 1968 is October 28th, 1967 and was built in Fremont, CA.

Lord_glum · 11-02-2019, 04:53 PM

Looking at pictures of 67 frames and it seems to be what I have.
Let me see about the dimple. Thanks for the heads up.

Lord_glum · 11-02-2019, 05:38 PM

Pic of my frame.

**Jason Banks** · 11-02-2019, 05:43 PM

Sure doesn't look like you have the dimple. Are you planning on power steering? Have you got the steering gear yet?

here's a thread about the dimple.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=545971

There are lots of discussion threads about this. I used spacers on my 1968. I milled them down to be the absolute bare minimum to keep the box sitting right. Other people talk about heating up the frame and hammering it in.

**BigBird05** · 11-02-2019, 06:58 PM

An engineer would right a change order to the factory to use up existing 67 frames at the start of 1968 production to avoid scrapping them.

Lord_glum · 11-02-2019, 07:07 PM

So here is the steering box the truck came with. I may be wrong but thought this was a power steering box. It bolts right up minus needing to notch the radiator support to make it fit.

KMC3420 · 11-03-2019, 10:15 AM

Yes, that is your steering gear box. It will physically mount up to your frame on the frame bosses. The only area I would double check is the area below in the red box, make sure it’s not hitting your frame prior to the 4 bolts being tightened completely. Your frame doesn’t appear to have the indent in the frame that indents towards the passenger side.

Lord_glum · 11-03-2019, 03:34 PM

Well @&&$&@. Hacked the core support mount and test fit the box and sure enough. Looks to be 1/8” gap. Leaned all kinds of new info this weekend.

KMC3420 · 11-03-2019, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lord_glum

Well @&&$&@. Hacked the core support mount and test fit the box and sure enough. Looks to be 1/8” gap. Leaned all kinds of new info this weekend.

Small setback. Sounds like 1/8” spacers will get it secured in the correct location. The only part that sucks is cutting on already painted/coated parts. Your frame looks great. Keep at it.

notsolo · 11-03-2019, 09:26 PM

Back to your question, Don't know about 6cyl trucks...I think you can just notch out for the new motor mounts. Mine, photo's of a 71, different, thinner on top......You probably should box the whole frame anyways, since it looks like your building a rocket sled.

**LockDoc** · 11-03-2019, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lord_glum

Got my performance online engine mounts for the swap and ran into an issue. Seems my frame is too wide where they mount to the top of the frame. I see in pictures some frames are thinner there so the mounts bolt up. Is this something to do with it being a six cylinder frame?

I had to narrow mine to use the POL brackets. The passengers side bracket did not fit worth a crap.....

See post #31 in this thread:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=656107&page=2

Mine had a six in it but I'm not sure that makes a difference.

LockDoc

Lord_glum · 11-03-2019, 10:42 PM

Thanks for the help everyone. I’m fairly certain I have a left over 67 frame on my 68. I’m assuming the 67 engine mounts will work.

Lord_glum · 11-04-2019, 02:09 PM

Side question, it looks like I can get by with CP50014 steering box with no dimples as long as I have the raised “bosses” on my frame.

11-01-2019, 02:42 PM	#1
Lord_glum Registered User Join Date: May 2018 Location: Illinois Posts: 40	68 frame question Got my performance online engine mounts for the swap and ran into an issue. Seems my frame is too wide where they mount to the top of the frame. I see in pictures some frames are thinner there so the mounts bolt up. Is this something to do with it being a six cylinder frame? Last edited by Lord_glum; 11-01-2019 at 05:52 PM.

11-01-2019, 04:13 PM	#2
AussieinNC Moderator Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Cherryville, NC Posts: 2,172	Re: 68 frame question Here is your pic at a reduced size... Nice work on that chassis ! I assume you are referring to the width of the top rail on the frame.... Maybe post another pic with a tape measure across the top of the rail so we can see the width.... One question for you...the upper A arm pivot bolts thru the chassis...are they captive within the chassis? If not, they will be difficult to loosen for alignment purposes.....just wondering... Attached Images __________________ Family and country before all others... 2006 Chevy Silverado (Daily Driver) 2012 Chevy Equinox

11-01-2019, 08:27 PM	#4
firedemon Registered User Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: @ Posts: 890	Re: 68 frame question mine was a 6 and they went right in so im not sure what the deal is

11-01-2019, 08:51 PM	#5
Lord_glum Registered User Join Date: May 2018 Location: Illinois Posts: 40	Re: 68 frame question Here is another picture.

11-01-2019, 10:41 PM	#6
KMC3420 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Harrison, AR Posts: 1,069	Re: 68 frame question It appears you need the POL wide mounts. They have two sets. One for wide frame rails and one for narrow frame rails. Do you recall which part number you purchased? From my understanding some 68’s have the wide frame and some narrow, possibly a change over year. Could you possibly have a 67 frame? Wide Frame Narrow Frame __________________ Keagan 68 SWB C-10 original 350 A/C 503 Mean Green

11-01-2019, 05:51 PM	#3
Lord_glum Registered User Join Date: May 2018 Location: Illinois Posts: 40	Re: 68 frame question Thanks for the compliment. The frame is 2.5” from lip to the outside of the rail. The bolts are captive. It’s the qa1 setup. Thanks for the resize as well.

11-02-2019, 04:42 PM	#7
Lord_glum Registered User Join Date: May 2018 Location: Illinois Posts: 40	Re: 68 frame question It’s a 68 frame according to the stamp and the tags. I didn’t know the had a wide version of the mounts. I assume you are talking about the 67 and earlier mounts?

11-02-2019, 04:50 PM	#8
Jason Banks Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: TX Posts: 1,542	Re: 68 frame question Yes he's talking about the 67 and earlier mounts. For some reason many of the early 68 trucks are more like the 67. Have you tried to put a power steering gear box on that frame yet? I would bet it doesn't have the dimple in the frame to allow the box to sit flush. I also have a 1968 that has the wide rails like yours and does not have the dimple for the gear box. Build date on my 1968 is October 28th, 1967 and was built in Fremont, CA.

11-02-2019, 04:53 PM	#9
Lord_glum Registered User Join Date: May 2018 Location: Illinois Posts: 40	Re: 68 frame question Looking at pictures of 67 frames and it seems to be what I have. Let me see about the dimple. Thanks for the heads up.

11-02-2019, 05:38 PM	#10
Lord_glum Registered User Join Date: May 2018 Location: Illinois Posts: 40	Re: 68 frame question Pic of my frame.

11-02-2019, 05:43 PM	#11
Jason Banks Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: TX Posts: 1,542	Re: 68 frame question Sure doesn't look like you have the dimple. Are you planning on power steering? Have you got the steering gear yet? here's a thread about the dimple. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=545971 There are lots of discussion threads about this. I used spacers on my 1968. I milled them down to be the absolute bare minimum to keep the box sitting right. Other people talk about heating up the frame and hammering it in.

11-02-2019, 06:58 PM	#12
BigBird05 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Cheraw Posts: 1,305	Re: 68 frame question An engineer would right a change order to the factory to use up existing 67 frames at the start of 1968 production to avoid scrapping them.

11-02-2019, 07:07 PM	#13
Lord_glum Registered User Join Date: May 2018 Location: Illinois Posts: 40	Re: 68 frame question So here is the steering box the truck came with. I may be wrong but thought this was a power steering box. It bolts right up minus needing to notch the radiator support to make it fit. Last edited by Lord_glum; 11-02-2019 at 08:05 PM.

11-03-2019, 10:15 AM	#14
KMC3420 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Harrison, AR Posts: 1,069	Re: 68 frame question Yes, that is your steering gear box. It will physically mount up to your frame on the frame bosses. The only area I would double check is the area below in the red box, make sure it’s not hitting your frame prior to the 4 bolts being tightened completely. Your frame doesn’t appear to have the indent in the frame that indents towards the passenger side. Attached Images __________________ Keagan 68 SWB C-10 original 350 A/C 503 Mean Green Last edited by KMC3420; 11-03-2019 at 10:36 AM.

11-03-2019, 03:34 PM	#15
Lord_glum Registered User Join Date: May 2018 Location: Illinois Posts: 40	Re: 68 frame question Well @&&$&@. Hacked the core support mount and test fit the box and sure enough. Looks to be 1/8” gap. Leaned all kinds of new info this weekend.



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11-03-2019, 09:26 PM	#17
notsolo Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Md Posts: 2,458	Re: 68 frame question Back to your question, Don't know about 6cyl trucks...I think you can just notch out for the new motor mounts. Mine, photo's of a 71, different, thinner on top......You probably should box the whole frame anyways, since it looks like your building a rocket sled. Attached Images __________________ http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=635605

11-03-2019, 10:42 PM	#19
Lord_glum Registered User Join Date: May 2018 Location: Illinois Posts: 40	Re: 68 frame question Thanks for the help everyone. I’m fairly certain I have a left over 67 frame on my 68. I’m assuming the 67 engine mounts will work.

11-04-2019, 02:09 PM	#20
Lord_glum Registered User Join Date: May 2018 Location: Illinois Posts: 40	Re: 68 frame question Side question, it looks like I can get by with CP50014 steering box with no dimples as long as I have the raised “bosses” on my frame.

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