I was new to the board back in Jan. I have a 1964 Starfire that may need a donor frame. Could anyone (Joe) please, please tell me what other models would be a direct swap. I really need to begin my search to get my project started. I live in SE Minnesota. Thanks. J.R.

 

Call John at Big M Automotive in Williams, Ca. He has a book that may tell you which frames will work and he may have a frame for you. His number is (530) 473-2225.

 

M'Lisa,

Thank you so much. John was very nice and extremely helpfull. I already have some leads.

J.R.

 

A '64 Jetstar 1 (not to be confused with a Jetstar 88) is definitely the same.

Beyond that, I don't know without looking into it further.

 

Any 1963-1964 Olds B-body 2dr EXCEPT the 1964 Jetstar 88 will use the same frame. Ninety Eights used a longer wheelbase.

 

John at Big M automotive was very helpful. He looked in "his book" and gave me several 88 models that would work as well as the starfire and the Jetstar I. I asked him if only the 2 door would work and he said that his book didn't seem to differenciate between the 2 and 4 door. My service manual lists the 2 door and 4 door 88's as having the same wheelbase. Can anyone verify or dispute that the frames from the 64's either 2 door or 4 door will be a direct swap? Thanks again to John and anyone else that can help me with my problem and search.

 

Frame assembly -1964 D88,S88,J/star1,S/fire..(Ex. S.W or Conv.) PN 382622... D88, S/fire Conv. PN382624...* Note- For police pursuit also install two of PN 381962 rear stabilizer link brackets...(must be for when you are chasing cop cars)... Special Duty- For hauling trailers..ex conv. PN 382624

 

So there you have it. All 64 88s and derivatives used the same wheelbase. As that listing also shows, the boxed convertible frame was offered as the HD frame under hardtops.

 

Joe,

What excatly is a 'boxed convertible frame'?
Does anyone have photo's of this?

 

The standard frame is an open section "C" channel, with the open side facing inward. When you cut the top off the car to make a convertible, you lose torsional stiffness in the body. GM formed matching "C" channel sections to fit into the hardtop frame rails and welded them in place (open side to open side), turning the "C" channel into a box beam. That has significantly more torsional stiffness and also increased bending stiffness. The outer frame rails, front frame (in front of the firewall), and rear frame (rear axle and back) were identical between HT and convert. Only the part under the rockers was reinforced.

 

Well that shows how much I know. LOL
I thought that the frame on my convertible Starfire had been repaired at one time because it looks like there were pieces welded in. Maybe it is original after all.....

Sorry for hijacking you thread Joe!!

Thanks,
Rene

 

Also, the '68-'72 Cutlass converts and Vistas had a wider and shorter (side to side) trans crossmember because of the boxing.....no naughty pictures yet..I am still in night school on that one...

 

ALL convertibles had a different crossmember because of this.