Spiral Shocks

[Salvatore]

Rick, Did you write the book for Chevy?

[Belair62]

No but he must have every damn catalog/manual/piece of paper that Chevrolet printed !!

[68Biscayne427]

Not to hijack this post, but one of the posts above insinuates that Budd frames were heavy duty - From all of my research, I was under the impression that the three frame suppliers: A.O. Smith, Flint Frames and Budd, supplied the same type of frame. They were all the same. Can anybody comment on this? If Budd did make a heavier duty frame, what was different about it?

Thanks

[3macs1]

Hi Rob:
I will let the experts comment but I have never seen any major differences.It seemed the manufacturer of your frame was determined based on the location of where your car was built. I have taken Budd frames out of 6 cylinder cars and we have two in our 427 cars.Have to love the SO cal ones.

[68Biscayne427]

That's how I understood it too. Jon Krogh also told me the same thing... And he has taken apart scores of cars. You never know though...

[Mr70]

That's my personal "i.e." reference after Heavy Duty that I believe Chevrolet really used in that situation back then.
Of the few heavy duty suspensions I have seen in person on any GM B-body,Buick-Olds-Pontiac-Chevrolet,all have had Budd frames.
I can't find it right now,but somewhere I have a internal product bulletin stating Chevrolet preferred to use that manufacturers frames when special heavy duty suspensions were requested before assembly.
It when on to say because Budd used a heavier gauge steel on it's one piece tunnel bottom & welded on channel rails then other similar frame manufacturers at that time,GM preferred to use them more in case of warranty issues.
I think Parish Pressed Steel later on adapted to this design as well..

[3macs1]

Hi Rick:
Be careful now you are crossing into that B body dark side. If you say there was a letter there was just that it does not seem GM followed it on B body.They increased frame guage in 1966 for sure after having warranty issues in 65 this was enforced by all frame manufacturers.I have 6 frames right now as samples all BB cars, 5 of 6 were 4 piston disc brake cars and all had heavy duty suspension two with F41.
In this mix 4 Budd and 2 AO. I have blasted one of each and and seen no difference in welds nothing.The boys talked about this some also on the impala site. Would be interesting to prove.
http://members5.boardhost.com/impala...175874484.html