Does anyone know of a source for rear frame rails for a 66 2 door ht? Rails are rotten at the last bend and need replacing. Failinf that which frames are OK for donors in whole or part? Can a later model frame be used or am I limited to 66-67 frames?
Thanks in advance
Pete

 

What's your location? I'm in Austin, Tx. and have whole frames or sections cut to your needs. Henry

 

I have a 66 frame in the Las Vegas NV area. 67 has a pigtail rear spring mount, up to 66 had tangential (full diameter end coil) mounting cup. If the rear rails are rotten, I bet the frame is significantly weakened elsewhere. BTW, Henry is a good guy.

 

Sorry about that. I have updated my profile with location. If I was anywhere near you I would definately check that out.
It is not unusual for perimiter frame cars that have spent their lives up here to have the rear frame rails rotten from salt thrown from the rear tires. I will check the rest of the frame closely before proceeding but so far it looks ok. As long as the 67 rear rails are the same they should work. I'd like nothing more than to swap it for a Ragtop frame but the 64-67 cars are like hens teeth up here. I was just wondering if the chevelle, skylark, tempect etc were also the same. Would I be correct in assuming the 67 would work as long as I use the whole frame and rear suspension? Would the front suspension bolt up? What about the rear axle?
Thanks for the responses.
Pete

 

You can use a 67 frame if you use 67-up rear springs with pigtails on both ends. Other GMs may fit, including el Caminos of the 66-7 era, but may have different front horns for the bumper. You may find AO Smith and/or Pontiac manufactured frames. ElCos may be Pontiac but boxed = convertible type. Olds boxed frames were AO Smith. You can tell the difference because the tongue at front center below the center link of the steering is stamped integral (formed steel) on Smith, and is a V shaped welded on piece with Pontiac frames.

 

Out of all the 64-67 GM A body cars only the 66-67 Olds A body front frame rails are spaced further apart to allow for the wide crossflow radiator to fit between the frame rails.

Henry

 

Thanks everyone for all the info. I guess if the rest of the frame checks out, a repair is my best option. At least until a complete 66 or 67 rag frame comes along.

 

Wouldnt you also need the 66 rear end or are the spring perches pigtailed on the diff?

 

The 66 diff had a flat plate bracket for the spring. The bottom pigtail of the spring was indexed and held by a stamped steel plate and a 7/16 x14 thread bolt through the plate, pigtail, and diff housing bracket. Later diffs, including some (all?) 67 GM A bodies had a boss sticking up from the mounting bracket on the diff to index the pigtail and retain it when the weight was on the springs.

 

So if I use a 67 frame it would be better to get one with a diff. Thanks again, great info.
Pete

 

I simply can't understand how you came to that conclusion. There is nothing wrong with using a 66 diff and spring plates on the lower pigtails of either 66 or 67 rear springs. As I wrote above, if you use 67 rear spring perches ON THE FRAME, meaning a 67 frame, then you need double pigtail springs, because of the upper perch; it has nothing to do with using a 67 differential.