At the edge of my ideas is frame swapping my 356,000 mile old 66 98 convertible frame for a lower mileage one to tighten up the car. Mine bends just a tick over bumps, which would be nice to reduce or eliminate. And it’s got a bit of repair welding, but never any rust since its always been in CA.

I know of a 66 98 4-door frame within reach. If I went for it, would they swap? Frame cost doesn’t scare me, but the work may. It’s go to to be lots of hours.

My convertible frame is fully boxed for strength. I have the impression the 98 4 door cars are too - owing to Olds 98 standards of the day. Am I right?

Of course this means taking on body mounts and about a million might as wells. Fuel and brake lines for example...

But I’m curious. Anybody know if 66 98 convertible and 4 door hardtop frames can swap?

Thanks
cf

 

Both are 126" WB, car length of 223" as are my 1967 98's. All have boxed frames. Are the body mount locations the same?

 

I have a hollander interchange manual and as per the 39th edition they do not interchange. It says 65-66 convertible same frame and 65-66 98 same frame but that they do not interchange to each other.

Hope that helps. It does not give anymore than that for info. Hopefully someone has some knowledge of why and maybe what can be done to make it fit.

Larry

 

Many thanks for the Hollander reference.

I'm not all that surprised, but it's good to hear what they have to say on the matter. I have the impression that they're mostly right, but not perfect. I think the convertible frames were made by A.O. Smith, but I could be wrong.

I had a suspicion the hardtop and convertibles would not interchange, but no proof. 65 to 66 swapping of convertible frames makes complete sense.

But for a few minor trim & sheet metal details, the 65 and 66 98's are the same car.

Once again my thanks.

 

The 66 98 Holiday Coupe frame is the same as the convertible. The 4 door cars have different body mount locations. Also, if you haven't taken the body off the frame yet, be prepared for some real body mount problems. They used metal cones inside the rubber donuts and mine were badly deteriorated. Basically, replacements are not to be found. You can have some machined or make crude replacements with different sizes washers. These are the type parts that bone yards should save but never do.