I have a 70 cutlass. Frame appears to be off. Would it be better to straighten it or get another frame. If straighten is the answer, where can I get numbers for the frame?

 

Can you be a little more explicit and define "off".

 

The drivers front frame is higher than the passenger. Also on the drivers side where the first body mount goes is pushed up. the guy I got the car from said it was hit in the drivers side but not bad. Also so I took the steering box off to have it rebuilt and some shims fail out. Not sure where they went. How can I find out where they went. Thanks

 

On the shims, how many were there? How are you measuring the frame horns is the frame on jack stands? Is there noticeable frame damage? For the body mount bracket, you can heat and bend it back into place unless there is frame damage in that area.

 

There were 3 shims. They were in the bottom two bolts. Yes it is on stands. Even looking at the frame the drivers side looks higher. I measured from the holes where the radiator core support bolts to the frame. I measured from the top of frame through the holes to the garage floor which is level. It is almost 3/16 off. The only other visible damage is at the hole where the body mount is.

 

3/16ths is probably within limits, but that's not saying you couldn't straighten it yourself. GM used shims on everything, so the 3 shims would bring it in line. The body mounts are available if that one is destroyed, I would try and repair the one that's there if possible.

 

The frame is not all that rigid
The body would force the frame into position if 3/16" is the amount, I would guess.

If the frame is off the car, get the frame measurements chart and check off every one, see if it has a problem or not.

 

Thanks guys. One body shop where I live said they would check it and if it needed it they could straighten it.