Frame Restoration

[JAGCUSTOMS87]

i am looking to restore my 1980 El Camino. and i'm going to get a newer solid frame and get it powdercoated. i just wanna know input on to what all should be done with the frame before getting it powdercoated. like i'm going to use a bolt on suspension kit so there shouldn't be new hole for that, and i'm going a breaded fuel line system and i just wanna know what should i make sure is done before i get it powdercoated. thanx

 

[3XBrownCutty]

Is it gonna be a hig h performance build, or just a cruiser??

 

[pontiacgp]

I would clean up the junk factory welds and reweld them and weld where they missed...and I'd box the center section

 

[3XBrownCutty]

I would box the centersection if i were in your shoes.

 

[pontiacgp]

one other thing I might consider is to weld in some tubing in between the rear rails

 

[Blake442]

Have the frame sandblasted first and foremost.

 

[JAGCUSTOMS87]

yeah it will prob be more high performance / show car. so by boxing the frame your talking more cross bars between frame rails? i'll have to look into that. that would prob require some checking for clearance on the body or engine and trans or not really?

 

[Forsaken502]

Boxing the frame refers to making the frame rails a solid box, instead of just the C shape they come from the factory like. Basically just take a plate of steel and weld it in on the open side.

 

[FE3X CLONE]

yeah it will prob be more high performance / show car. so by boxing the frame your talking more cross bars between frame rails? i'll have to look into that. that would prob require some checking for clearance on the body or engine and trans or not really?

They're talking about boxing the frame rails on each side behind where the trans crossmember mounts. Stock its basically like a 'C' channel.

I did this on my '87:

I was originally going to powder coat my frame but ended up coating it with 3 coats of Rust Bullet and then spraying it with Rustoleum Satin black paint.
Turned to be great because if you forgot any fab work before paint it, you can just take a rattle can to touch it up. Touching up powder coating wouldn't be too easy.

 

[rccktmn2]

That's a nice looking frame you got any more pics of it. I'm looking to do a frame off on my 87 442 and I need some ideas as well.