Discussion Forum - Northstar Chevelle Club

more ambition than brains · 1K+ Club

Frame interchange

Derek69SS · Founding Member

I used to have all this memorized... I think 64-67 is all the same except rear spring pockets changed in '67.

more ambition than brains · 1K+ Club

Ok, i thought that the wheelbase was slightly different (shorter) on 64-65 passenger cars.
Assumed the same on Elky, Convertible.
Also, they did change the spring mount on axel from 66-67 years.
Did not know they changed it on frame too.

Randy's acquaintance was also wondering about sedan frames.
I reminded him about the Elky/Convertible boxing.
Assuming the earlier 64-67 Elky/Convertibles were also boxed.

The distance from torque boxes (corners) at ends of rockers is the same, sedan, wagon, convertible and ElCaminos on 66-67
In addition to the boxing in the middle, my understanding was the only real difference on 66-67 was overall length to accommodate Pick up box.

It does appear 64-67 all have the same wheelbase-115 inches so that is a good sign for possible interchange.
I do not pretend to know much about 64-65, thus these questions.

Thanks to all,
Karl

-- Edited by more ambition than brains on Wednesday 14th of April 2021 10:36:42 AM

Derek69SS · Founding Member

In '67 they changed the rear spring to double-pigtail, so the frame pocket is shaped to center the small pigtail rather than the full coil at the top. Axle bracket changed also, eliminating the bolt-on retainer.

Wheelbase is all the same on all of the 64-67s. Wagon and El Camino have a longer frame behind the axle.
I believe there are 4 different frames (besides the spring pocket difference which could be adapted using appropriate springs)

Typical open-channel frame used on all 2dr, 4dr, sedan and hardtop
Convertible frame same as above, but boxed
Wagon frame open-channel with longer rear section
El Camino frame same as wagon, but boxed.

Derek69SS · Founding Member

I have a frame book from '66, but not any other 64-67 years

more ambition than brains · 1K+ Club

Hi Derek,
Found an old post of yours on Team Chevelle from 2006

You stated "64-67 all the same": qualified it referencing the Boxing and extra length of Elcamino.

That is enough for me, they interchange with those qualifications.

Always verify by measuring existing and potential part for length, square and try to determine if level. (Datum line)

Hopefully this will help Randy.

Karl

jim larson · 2K+ Club

Other BOP frames may work.