While pulling my motor today, the lift chain slid and the engine dropped a few inches back on frame. The front end is suspended by jack stands by the front body mounts. No front suspension at all on the car. Once I did get the motor pulled, I pushed on the frame horns and noticed they flexed slightly. Just enough to notice it it. I was wondering if this is natural?

 

big time! I have had more A bodys than I can remember. (A bodies?) In the post cars and el caminos you can put your fingers in between the door frame and the roof and feel it close up on your fingertips. These are not new corvettes. when you lift one corner the other tires stay on the ground until it gets high enough.

 

At the body shop, we took in a late 80's Explorer that had hit a parked truck at 5-10 MPH, bumper to bumper, and it had 'diamonded' the frame! It was 2 yrs old!!!
Now that's frame flex!!

 

The play is NOT intended to be there.

My W30's frame will not sit on 4 level jackstands unless the floor is also level.

 

I think we need more information.

Exactly where did you push?

In what directions(s)?

With how many pounds of force?

- Eric

 

 

And by "just enough to notice it," I ASSume you mean they flexed about ⅛ to ¼".

If so, I'd say that's normal. You can get an inch of flex easy if you jack it up under the door hinge area (where you're supposed to) and then jack the nose up separately under the control arms.

- Eric

 

Yes, I would say 1/8 to 1/4". Everything else visually looks ok. I assumed I notice it now because the engine weight is not on it already pushing it down, but wanted to make sure.

 

Yep, normal flex. When I was setting up my driveline angles, I had the front on jackstands on the frame behind the front wheels. There was enough flex to be off a couple degrees compared to being on the front tires.

 

Thanks guys