Is my frame bent

[hy82e]

I bought this car with a blown motor, 1982 Buick Regal, for the body and interior. Car was and is in need of no body work. I have pulled the front clip off and have found no signs of impact, (no obvious signs anyways), but I'm nothing close to a body man.

When the car was on the ground it had a little bit of a lean, but i had charged that off to the 30yr old springs since it didn't appear to have signs damage.

Today I pulled the old V6 out and seen this

The scrapes in the front are just a quick pass with the scraper.

Here you can see the outline of the motor mount. The bend follows the front edge of the mount perfectly like it is supposed to be there. No damage to the mount it sits flat on the garage floor.

Drivers side is what is in question.

Here you can see the drivers side mount angles slightly to the front.

let me know what you guys think. I have not seen or heard of this being normal, but this is my first build. Any frame or body guys if you could chime in let me know what are some signs to look for of old repairs. Thanks

 

[Geed_up_442]

Find similar points on each frame rail and cross measure corner to corner underneath the car. I'm no pro but. This is what I was told when wondering the same.

 

[pontiacgp]

for that crossmember to be bent the frame rails would be seriously mangled

 

[Blake442]

Yes, it's bent.
My guess is that car got stuffed into a ditch and something solid in its way smashed the centerlink and tie rod into the frame.
Measure the rails and control arm mounts to make sure they're square.
It probably drives fine, though it sounds like you bought it for parts anyways...

 

[hy82e]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I should have given more details. The car is not for parts, it is actually a transplant-ee. I'm swapping in a cammed 2008 Ls 6.0.
I'll tell you I would have slept a little better if this was my parts car.

I'm going measure things up every which way I can figure out. While at the same time cleaning up the frame looking for signs of repair. The only other sign of misalignment is the drivers side frame horn is about 1/2" higher than the pass. But that could be jack stand placement or the garage floor it's sitting on. (I hope) But to my inexperienced eye no signs of mangle-ation.

I guess at worst, donor frame. I had considered it before since I'm doing the frame since I'm putting new body bushings.
Finding a good frame and space was why I decided to make this one work, but I guess space is my main issue now.

 

[pontiacgp]

I'd say if it was bent it would be buckled along the side...I think someone dropped something on it to dent it. I't's only 14 gauge metal

 

[hy82e]

I'd say if it was bent it would be buckled along the side...I think someone dropped something on it to dent it. I't's only 14 gauge metal

That is the best case scenario I keep hoping for. It seems likely especially the way the dent outlines the edge of the old mount.

 

[pontiacgp]

it's hard to tell by the pictures but I don't see any stress cracks in any of the factory welds..

 

[sh1ft]

I found this as far as measurement points, it is for a monte so it should be the same.

 

[hy82e]

That chart is great thanks.