Frame crack repairable???

Pitbull2o08 · 01-16-2008, 05:52 AM

HI, my cuttlass has a slight split down the seem of the frame in the engine bay...it's about 4in. in length. my dad says he can weld that up but i was just wondering what everyone here thought. thanks

ozoneblue · 01-16-2008, 05:59 AM

If possible drill a hole at each end of crack then weld away

Pitbull2o08 · 01-16-2008, 07:39 AM

thanks....but it'll be just as strong? or should i take extra precaution?

Barneyo · 01-16-2008, 08:15 AM

Let me add to what ozoneblue said - Even if you have to go out and
buy a rightangle drill -DO- drill a hole at the ends of the crack; then
weld away. You hafta make sure the stress is relieved at both ends
before welding.

Pitbull2o08 · 01-16-2008, 01:44 PM

thanks... i appreciate it

joe_padavano · 01-16-2008, 02:33 PM

First, these frames are mild steel and a properly done weld will be at least as strong as the parent metal. The crack-stopper drilled holes are a must if the crack is closed ended. If it goes all the way to an edge, you need to take some additional precautions. One consideration is the undercut you would get at the edge of a frame flange. GM recommends using a run-off tab against the edge of the flange and continuing the weld onto the tab. This gets the start-up or tail-off undercut off the frame and the tab can be ground off later.

Olds64 · 01-16-2008, 05:43 PM

Wow, you lean something new everyday. I never even thoght that a frame would crack or distort. Well, except for a reason like a collision or motor over torquing the car.

Pitbull2o08 · 01-16-2008, 07:19 PM

yeah...it's like a split down the middle.

01-16-2008, 05:52 AM	#1 (permalink)
Pitbull2o08 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 9	Frame crack repairable??? HI, my cuttlass has a slight split down the seem of the frame in the engine bay...it's about 4in. in length. my dad says he can weld that up but i was just wondering what everyone here thought. thanks Last edited by Pitbull2o08 : 01-16-2008 at 07:53 AM.

01-16-2008, 02:33 PM	#6 (permalink)
joe_padavano Moderator Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Northern VA Posts: 1,159	First, these frames are mild steel and a properly done weld will be at least as strong as the parent metal. The crack-stopper drilled holes are a must if the crack is closed ended. If it goes all the way to an edge, you need to take some additional precautions. One consideration is the undercut you would get at the edge of a frame flange. GM recommends using a run-off tab against the edge of the flange and continuing the weld onto the tab. This gets the start-up or tail-off undercut off the frame and the tab can be ground off later. __________________ Joe Padavano 64 Jetstar 88 Conv 66 442 L-69 Conv 68 W-30 69 H/O 69 442 70 W-30 72 442 86 Caprice wagon (w/307 Olds)

01-16-2008, 05:43 PM	#7 (permalink)
Olds64 Landyacht Club President Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Lawton, OK Posts: 1,088	Wow, you lean something new everyday. I never even thoght that a frame would crack or distort. Well, except for a reason like a collision or motor over torquing the car. __________________ "Some men are Baptists, others Catholics. My father was an OLDSMOBILE man." Ralphie Billingsley A Christmas Story 1983 "We rei-eign, supreme, ooooh god! Burrito supreme, and a chicken supreme, and a CUTLASS SUPREME!" Tenacious D 2007

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01-16-2008, 05:59 AM	#2 (permalink)
ozoneblue Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 404	If possible drill a hole at each end of crack then weld away

01-16-2008, 07:39 AM	#3 (permalink)
Pitbull2o08 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 9	thanks....but it'll be just as strong? or should i take extra precaution?

01-16-2008, 08:15 AM	#4 (permalink)
Barneyo Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 39	Let me add to what ozoneblue said - Even if you have to go out and buy a rightangle drill -DO- drill a hole at the ends of the crack; then weld away. You hafta make sure the stress is relieved at both ends before welding.

01-16-2008, 01:44 PM	#5 (permalink)
Pitbull2o08 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 9	thanks... i appreciate it

01-16-2008, 07:19 PM	#8 (permalink)
Pitbull2o08 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 9	yeah...it's like a split down the middle.