Chevelle frame differances...

[Tommy_Mathison]

What are the main difference in 1968-1972 A-body frames compared to the 1969 Chevelle frame. I'm looking for a complete 1969 Chevelle frame and am trying to figure out which frames are identical. Thanks in advance.

[John Brown]

Tommy,

According to my 1972 Hollander interchange the original part number for a 1969 Chevelle 2 door is 3992389. They list these frames as interchanging.

#1881 3992389

Buick Special 68-72 convertible
Buick Special 69 2 dr exc GS400 2 dr. ht.
Buick Special 71-72 2 dr sdn & ht exc GS455
Chevelle 68-70 2 dr exc El Camino
Chevelle 71 2 dr ht & convert
Olds F85 68-71 convert
Olds F85 69 2 dr
Olds F85 71 2 dr sedan & ht
Tempest 68 Convert
Tempest 69 2 dr
Tempest 70-71 2 dr sedan & convert exc V8 455
Tempest 71 convert exc V8 455

There may be others that will fit with minor changes, but these are what Hollander shows.

[Tommy_Mathison]

Thanks John!

[COPO_Anders]

I thought all convertibles had reinforced frames which would not be the same as the hardtop frames ?

[PeteLeathersac]

I believe the boxed Convert. frames fit and are the same as what was used on some performance coupes like 442's etc?.

I changed lots of frames back in the day and the beauty of GM stuff was how almost every hole necessary to mount the different drivetrain combinations were already drilled...like engine mounting stand holes for an Olds engine were there but not used on a Chevelle or Skylark etc...crossmember bolt holes too!.
As far as the Hollander listings go, they're sometimes trying too hard to keep it a simple swap where w/ a few mods others may fit fine...keep your eyes open for the Hollander notes that say 'Wreckers say 1234 fits' etc..

Here's an attachment from a thread I saved off the Chevelle.com site that includes critical dimensions of each body style...hope it works and make sure to expand it by clicking in the lower right area if it comes out small..

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/atta...p;d=1196110952

~ Pete

[3macs1]

[ QUOTE ]
What are the main difference in 1968-1972 A-body frames compared to the 1969 Chevelle frame. I'm looking for a complete 1969 Chevelle frame and am trying to figure out which frames are identical. Thanks in advance.

[/ QUOTE ]

When I first seen this post I thought we were talking about something totally different vs just what frame will fit a 69 Chevelle.
What I mean is for a 65-70 Chevrolet B body for example GM used three different frame manufacturers and each used different materials for construction which produced different section modulus and different strengths.
For example a AO Smith Frame used 2 piece channel rails
BUDD Frame 1 piece channel rail frame
FLINT Frame 1 piece tube rail frame
After you get to look at each in detail you know what to look for to ID each manufacturer and BUDD by far was the strongest design for the B body.
I have not been able to prove this on the US side but I have never seen an Canadian documented big block car that didnot have a BUDD frame and have used this a few times to ID a potential clone. Yes I have seen 6 cylinder cars in Canada also with BUDD but if an AO is seen on a BBC every time the car proved later to be a rebody,clone or the frame was replaced.GM also talks about this in early technical literature and there is reference to the three designs in the parts manuals.
Just wondering if anyone has looked at this for Chevelles also and if there is any link to a frame manufacturer, a particular design and a true SS or factory installed BBC.