Cracks are the norm in stub frames with lots of mileage on them. The main crossmember cracks because of the beating it takes from the center of the front spring. I once chased a shimmy for years, that went away when I located and welded tiny cracks in that crossmember. Be sure to replace the top spring "leaf" with a longer one to spread the load.
The tie straps crack because of the twisting of the frame at the front, as the front suspension arms work. That was one of the areas that the factory reinforced later, with steel angles. Do you have the photos of the reinforcement locations?
Henry Portz also boxes in the square holes in the frame thu which the intermediate drag links pass. This is a weak point the factory neglected.
Josh B. Malks
810 2087A
ACD Club Life Member
ACD Newsletter editor
Past president
www.automaven.com
After having (3) Cord subframes shot basted and preparing them for paint, I found all units had some cracks. Most had cracks in bottom diagonal tie straps, and one with a longitudinal crack in transmission support member. I rewelded all areas and all seems fine, is this common? One frame also has considerable pitting along side channels, is this significant?
Topic Author