[Island Boy]

Does anyone know the thickness of metal used to build these frames?

[61-63]

1/8" mostly. There are some portions, like the flanges that the rear control arms are mounted in, that are a little thicker.

[Island Boy]

That’s what I thought. Was just checking

[John V.]

Curious what the reference is that shows 1/8". You didn't mention the frame p/n or the frame vendor for the frame you are asking about.

I don't have the specs for '65. I know the '65 frame p/ns changed and the design of the frame changed somewhat, so perhaps the thicknesses also changed from '64.

But according to the '64 Tempest Inspector's Guide, the Frame Thickness Chart shows the following dimensions. The Guide doesn't indicate the tolerance spec, so I take these to be the minimum acceptable thicknesses and perhaps .120 would commonly measure out as .125 (1/8" nominal).

There are some additional specs for the convertible (HD) frame p/ns but I will only list the dimensions for the p/n 9773004 frame.

Bar, Front Outer Side - .090
Spacer, Strg. Gear Frame - .090
Extension, Front Inner Side Bar
- R.H. - .105
- L.H. - .120
Member, Frt. Cross - Upper - .135
Bracket, Front Suspension Compression Bumper - .120
Member, Front Cross - Lower All Deep Section - .150
Brkt., Frt. Susp. Upper Arm - .179
Bracket, Front Suspension Lower Arm Rear - .179
Bar, Front Inner Side - .120
Bar, Center Outer Side - .120
Bracket, Trans. Cross Member Support - (blank, not used on sedan frame)
Bracket, #3 Body Mounting - .090
Bar, Center Inner Side - (blank, not used on sedan frame)
Bar, Rear Outer Side - .090 Exc. AOS .120
Bar, Rear Inner Side - Front - .090
Bracket, Lower Control Arm Frame - .150
Member, Rear Susp. Upper Arm Cross - .120
Bulk Head, Rear Susp. Upper Arm C/M - .120
Seat, Rear Spring Frame - .090
Bracket, #6 Body Mounting - .090
Bar, Rear Inner Side - (Long Conv. Only) - (blank, not used on sedan frame)
Member, Rear Cross - .090

The exception noted for the Rear Outer Side Bar might only apply to the AO Smith produced sedan frame p/n 3837595 (a Chevy p/n). It is not entirey clear to me from the chart, since I'm pretty certain AOS also produced the p/n 9773004 frame for Pontiac (Buick and Olds too). Some '64 Tempest sedans did get the alternate 3837595 frame.

Also note, the same "sedan" frame was used for the 4 dr. sedan, 2 dr. sedan (post coupe), 2 dr. hardtop coupe, and station wagon.

There is an illustration in the Guide to help identify the location of the listed components but suffice to say, they are listed from front to back so you should be able to readily identify each component by location by the description given.

The Guide copy I have compiles engineering releases prior to Dec. 19, 1963. Additional frame p/ns were used in '64 that are not included in this Guide. The GTO in particular experienced some frame breakage at the attachment of the rear cross member so some later frames added gusseting and a revised attachment. As mentioned, the '65 frames were issued new p/ns and further design improvements. But I would be surprised if the bulk of the dimensions listed here had not remained unchanged.

Hope this helps.

[61-63]

My 1/8" response was a result of measuring various flat surfaces of a '65 GTO rolling chassis I have with dial calipers. I did not cut into any surfaces, of which there are many, in order to measure thickness.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by 61-63

My 1/8" response was a result of measuring various flat surfaces of a '65 GTO rolling chassis I have with dial calipers. I did not cut into any surfaces, of which there are many, in order to measure thickness.

Saves me from doing that.

[John V.]

Interesting. As mentioned, the specs I posted were for the ‘64 p/n 9773004 frame.

Different frame p/ns were released for ‘65 and thicknesses may have been revised.

It would be interesting, at least to me, if some of the frame components that I listed as .090 (nominal 3/32”), .150 (nominal 5/32”) , and .179 (nominal 3/16”) could be checked to see what they are on a ‘65 frame.

I’m not sure what to make of the components that listed .105 and .135 thicknesses but these may have been available thicknesses at the time.

I’m sure I can grab a caliper and check my own ‘64 p/n 9773002 convertible frame to confirm the Inspector’s Guide specs for it too..

[61-63]

John I feel certain the numbers you posted for thicknesses are probably right for '64-67 a body frames all of them. I've had/parted out all four years and while I didn't measure them all IMO they looked the same except for the front of the engine crossover hook thing and I know the rear spring mounts were different early year to late year. The reason I measured what I did was so I could set my mig welder and get good penetration, and a 1/8" setting will work for any of the thicknesses you mention.

[John V.]

Hmmm, I have zero welding experience, didn’t think about the need to know for that reason!