Is my frame bent?
 

'64 GTO

This is the left side at the perch for the transmission crossmember. Note the straight edge showing about 9/16" difference from parallel to the top of the frame. The passenger side is similar at 1/2".

Is this factory as built or damage from years of improper lifting? Any pics would be appreciated.

If this is incorrect, is it enough to affect the driveshaft geometry? How would I fix it?

Thanks

I think you'll get a faster response in the '64-'65 GTO tech section so I've moved the discussion there.

I bought a 66 very solid GTO frame (boxed) for my 64 GTO.

We have a frame shop about 2 miles away (they are Dirt and Asphalt circle track racers).

They checked and trued the frame for a couple of hundred bucks. Tieman said the frame went under the body perfectly.

That would be my suggestion.

Tom V.

I can try to look at my frame but if I understand the area you are checking, mine is a convertible with a boxed frame so not sure that area is visible on mine. When I get a chance I'll try to take a look.

What does the other side look like?

My car had something similar (on one side) and I just assumed that it was due to car being jacked up incorrectly some time in the past. I just bent mine back straight again to match the other side.

Yes, it's bent from improper lifting. When these cars were daily drivers and I worked on them daily, it wasn't at all uncommon to see frames tweaked like yours is.

It won't have any effect on the cars operation, it's just peoples indifference of where they jack these cars up on a lift. or with a floor jack.

If you want to try to straighten it, a large crescent wrench (24 inches, or longer) will be the tool to try it with. You might need to put a cheater pipe on the handle of the wench to bend it back into position.

This is the best picture I could find and it is the frame on my 65 Chevelle (same frame) and as you can see the lower portion of the C-channel is straight and parallel to the upper portion. There is of course a raised section for where the crossmember bolts on but the outer edge should still be parallel to the top outer edge. Second picture is the same section from directly below.

my 65 frame. bad angle but its flat in that area

Its bent, just fixed one with a porta power with a tiny pancake adapter.

Thanks for the pics, Rich. Looks like you went with the tubular Chevelle bolt on style. That's what I will have until my rusted original is repaired.

THIS ^^^^^^ is exactly correct. Cosmetic damage from sloppy lifting. A large Crescent or monkey wrench done in small sections at a time will straighten it back out if it bothers you. BTDT many, many times over the years.

Well, yes, since that was my Chevelle. :D

Thanks, a 24" Cresent on my shopping list!

I considered this but is the top channel on the frame strong enough for the top anchor?

DITTO 24"

I guess I should have read the text instead of just looking at the pics, LOL. A good friend from HS had a '64 Chevelle, sweet car! He's now into Corvair Rampside pickups.

Yep, this is the correct info. Mine was pushed up like that from someone's careless placement of floor jacks. It was very easy to bend back into place with a jumbo adjustable crescent wrench. Didn't need any type of cheater bar.