64 or 65 Chevelle chassis questions

mfranchett · 05-08-2016, 09:05 PM

I am thinking about getting a 64 or 65 Chevelle and while researching them I have read where the frame is a weak point in these cars. I figured someone running one of these in stock or ss could tell me what needs to be done to stiffen the frame.

tj310 · 05-09-2016, 12:25 PM

Don't know if they'r any worse than other 50 year old cars , especially if it spent any time in the rustbelt . ---Trevor

ss3011 · 05-09-2016, 04:28 PM

If you install a roll cage it will stiffen the frame, also there is available a pair of stiffeners that connect the front pickup points of the upper and lower rear control arms .

Mike Brogniez · 05-09-2016, 09:06 PM

I think convertibles had boxed frames.
MB

prostockpete1 · 05-09-2016, 11:45 PM

When I built my "65 283 SS / MA Superstocker in the late 70"s to stiffen the whole combination I removed all the rubber body mounts from both sides of frame & made new ones by cutting up 2 inch dia. pipe with thickness matching old rubber spacers & welding large washers to both sides .jacked up body carefully & slipped my new creations in the origin positions of old mounts with long bolts / nuts after using round hole saw to access the ones that came thu body to tighten . opened the doors when finished to find no binding . 8 point cage tied including vertical bars down thu floor to new crossmember front ladder bar pickup points made a solid combo in its day .. that's my chassis story

1320racer · 05-10-2016, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mfranchett

I am thinking about getting a 64 or 65 Chevelle

why and what do you plan to do with it?

bigfoot584 · 05-10-2016, 06:52 AM

Hate to pop your bubble, but that's the same basic design used from
'64 thru '87 in the mid size GM line. When the bodies were removed
you could damn near twist the front 45 degrees before the back
would lift off the ground, the body is where most of the structural
strength came from, but that's for normal driving. Wheel standing
high HP cars need added strength in the form of a roll bar and or
cage to reduce or eliminate it.

mfranchett · 05-10-2016, 07:44 AM

Thanks for the info. As for what I plan on doing with the car it will be something I will use for the street and hopefully work up to street/strip. Something I can work at over time. Do not if I wil ever make it a class car although I would love to.

1320racer · 05-10-2016, 08:02 AM

unless, you're are in love with the 64/65 body, my advice is to look at a later model Chevelle which has better resale and unlimited parts supply. That said, there is no issue with the frames under GM A body cars.

05-08-2016, 09:05 PM	#1
mfranchett Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 2 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	64 or 65 Chevelle chassis questions I am thinking about getting a 64 or 65 Chevelle and while researching them I have read where the frame is a weak point in these cars. I figured someone running one of these in stock or ss could tell me what needs to be done to stiffen the frame. Last edited by mfranchett; 05-08-2016 at 11:08 PM. Reason: Clarification

05-09-2016, 12:25 PM	#2
tj310 Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Dresden On. Canada Posts: 460 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: 64 or 65 Chevelle chassis questions Don't know if they'r any worse than other 50 year old cars , especially if it spent any time in the rustbelt . ---Trevor

05-09-2016, 04:28 PM	#3
ss3011 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Southeast Michigan Posts: 891 Likes: 64 Liked 227 Times in 106 Posts	Re: 64 or 65 Chevelle chassis questions If you install a roll cage it will stiffen the frame, also there is available a pair of stiffeners that connect the front pickup points of the upper and lower rear control arms .

05-09-2016, 09:06 PM	#4
Mike Brogniez Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Montreal Posts: 476 Likes: 7 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: 64 or 65 Chevelle chassis questions I think convertibles had boxed frames. MB

05-09-2016, 11:45 PM	#5
prostockpete1 Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 231 Likes: 3 Liked 72 Times in 44 Posts	Re: 64 or 65 Chevelle chassis questions When I built my "65 283 SS / MA Superstocker in the late 70"s to stiffen the whole combination I removed all the rubber body mounts from both sides of frame & made new ones by cutting up 2 inch dia. pipe with thickness matching old rubber spacers & welding large washers to both sides .jacked up body carefully & slipped my new creations in the origin positions of old mounts with long bolts / nuts after using round hole saw to access the ones that came thu body to tighten . opened the doors when finished to find no binding . 8 point cage tied including vertical bars down thu floor to new crossmember front ladder bar pickup points made a solid combo in its day .. that's my chassis story

05-10-2016, 06:52 AM	#7
bigfoot584 Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Posts: 43 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: 64 or 65 Chevelle chassis questions Hate to pop your bubble, but that's the same basic design used from '64 thru '87 in the mid size GM line. When the bodies were removed you could damn near twist the front 45 degrees before the back would lift off the ground, the body is where most of the structural strength came from, but that's for normal driving. Wheel standing high HP cars need added strength in the form of a roll bar and or cage to reduce or eliminate it.

05-10-2016, 07:44 AM	#8
mfranchett Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 2 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: 64 or 65 Chevelle chassis questions Thanks for the info. As for what I plan on doing with the car it will be something I will use for the street and hopefully work up to street/strip. Something I can work at over time. Do not if I wil ever make it a class car although I would love to.

05-10-2016, 08:02 AM	#9
1320racer VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,794 Likes: 74 Liked 424 Times in 204 Posts	Re: 64 or 65 Chevelle chassis questions unless, you're are in love with the 64/65 body, my advice is to look at a later model Chevelle which has better resale and unlimited parts supply. That said, there is no issue with the frames under GM A body cars. Last edited by 1320racer; 05-10-2016 at 08:05 AM.