[einstein]

If anyone has a frame loose, or even without the engine cradled, I'd like to confirm this measurement between the upper control arm mounts at 30 1/2 inches.

If I'm good, I plan to drill for the Guldstrand mods.

Thanks!

[tom s]

The engine is out of my 69,its on the top of the lift if I get it down tomorrow I will check it for you.Tom

[694.1]

Catch!

[einstein]

Well now.... I suppose I might need to spread this frame somewhat, although an eighth-inch per side doesn't seem like much.

I still wouldn't mind getting real world measurements from a couple folks.

Decades ago I changed from bias/belted to radial tires and had to add offset shafts on the upper control arms to get the additional caster needed.

For all I know I could have had upper or lower control arms that were out of spec.

[tom s]

Never got the car down today.Went fishing.Tom

[einstein]

Good call, Tom. No worries.

[Firebob]

I plan on rolling the subframe under the body tomorrow. I'll measure what I have. Mines 67 though. Don't know if it matters.

[einstein]

67 - 69 should same for all dimensions. Only differences I recall were a few holes.

[Dick Boneske]

Not to hijack this thread, but is anyone familiar with frame sag under the engine. The alignment shop said they can't align our '68 because, even when taking all the alignment shims out, the camber was still off by a lot.

Can the problem be fixed without taking the fenders off?

[Firebob]

I get 30" even between your measuring points. Seems like your frame may have spread a bit from the weight and the years.

[einstein]

Actually, Firebob,, the spec sheet posted about by 694.1 shows the factory specification to be 30.75". I'm 1/4" under, you're 3/4" under.

I'm inclined to put my Porta-Power ram between and spread the frame a bit.

If somebody responds with a reading on a car with known good alignment we can assess further for more than just my car.

[einstein]

Originally Posted by Dick Boneske

Not to hijack this thread, but is anyone familiar with frame sag under the engine. The alignment shop said they can't align our '68 because, even when taking all the alignment shims out, the camber was still off by a lot.

Can the problem be fixed without taking the fenders off?

Dick, with all shims removed, I'd think your camber is still too far negative? And where does that put your caster? Factory spec is only 1/2°, but that was for bias tires. You'll need at least 2.5° for radial tires or the car will be hard to handle, wandering a lot.

You may be able to use offset shafts like I used so many years ago. I'll see if I can get hands on mine to get you pictures. You can turn them either way.

[Firebob]

Yeah after I posted that I started thinking that maybe yours more correct than mine. I guess I assumed that if the frame were going to do anything it would spread, not narrow, but maybe that's not the case. I guess my thought was as the frame got wider the motor mounts would widen and allow the motor to sit lower in the saddle as many do. I'm not sure if this is true or the opposite. The measure of the UCA mounting ears may not have any effect on motor location.

As far as the G-mod...here's my thing.
I did it years ago to the 69 and it seemed like I was going to need to cut down the mounting ears for clearance after. I ended up doing just a bit of grinding instead. Just enough so everything would freely move without rubbing or hitting. Then after a few years I had to change things and ended up going to taller upper ball joints that then required to go back to the original mounting position( you can't run both together) so I was glad I didn't cut anything off. If it were me, I would just go with taller ball joints instead of weakening that upper mounting area.

[sprint6ohc]

Late to the party here. Thanks Dick for leaving me know about this. I had my frame (68) blasted and in the middle of cleaning up the welds. Good Lord the spatter and porosity !!! That being said I measured mine to be at 30 9/16. I have the OHC SPRINT= less weight less chance of sag?

[einstein]

My convertible is also a Sprint. When Dad bought the car in '75, the left motor mount bolts were broken off in the block. Our first clue came while on the test drive, the 3-speed shifter was hitting left side of console bucket. I don't know how long the previous owner left it like that, and if that placed much load on top of the crossmember to stress it.

Thanks for the feedback.