38 lasalle frame rivets

[george]

hi,Iam rebuilding my frame and would like to know should i weld were the rivets are or were the metal laps?Any upgrading ideas for this frame that i can do while its out? Would this take away from the value?Also iam taking the body off this coupe 50 series lasalle and need dimensions for a body stand to sit on,has to be movable with casters.Thanks for your help,Iam a reformed hot rodder on this project   george 22988

[Doug Houiston]

It's not clear, WHY you're rebuilding your frame. That's a big order, whatever you might be doing. On some frames, you will see welds alongside rivets. But while I've never seen a frame mae, I expect that the rivets were heated when they were set.

I'd recommend consulting with a frame shop whose business is doing just what you are doing. Don't know where you are, but in most areas, there's a frame specialist, who does work on car frames and even truck frames. I'm located near Pontiac, Mich. On the north end of town, there's a frame specialist like I'm thinking of for you. I guess that he can do anything with a frame that could ever be done. That's the kind of guy to go to for help.

[george]

hey doug thanks for the info.Asfar as rebuilding the frame ,sand blasting,front end ,rear end,suspention,alot.After 87000mi maybe things get woren out.The frame may need stifening.   george

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

G'day George,

Start welding up the frame without putting it in some sort of jig to hold it, and you could end up with an out-of-shape frame.

At 87,000 miles, I personally can't see there being any problems, unless the car had suffered some major crash damage.

I have played with Frames that have been from vehicles of all types, with untold mileages, mostly 30's cars, and none of those required rebuilding, apart from a couple of places where the rust had compromised the thickness of the steel.

Sandblasting is good to get in the crevices, but if it is loose at the joints, then something is terribly wrong with it.

Bruce.

[Matt 12861]

When I had the body off the frame of my 38 cadillac, I lag bolted 4x4's to the existing wooden frame under the body. This got the body off the ground.  Then I bolted heavy duty casters up to the 4x4's.  It rooled around easy.  I had the frame sandblasted and primed.  The guys offered to paint it too for an extra 100.00, I later wished I would have let them.  The frame was good and solid, no reason I saw to replace any rivits.

[george]

G'day George,

Start welding up the frame without putting it in some sort of jig to hold it, and you could end up with an out-of-shape frame.

At 87,000 miles, I personally can't see there being any problems, unless the car had suffered some major crash damage.

I have played with Frames that have been from vehicles of all types, with untold mileages, mostly 30's cars, and none of those required rebuilding, apart from a couple of places where the rust had compromised the thickness of the steel.

Sandblasting is good to get in the crevices, but if it is loose at the joints, then something is terribly wrong with it.

Bruce.   hi bruce thanks for the help.On another subject.I have a 500ci engine they said cam out of a 72caddy,is yours a fwd,friend said fwd bell housing  wont bolt up to a th400 rwd trans.I think hes wrong.do you know  thanks again george
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[george]

When I had the body off the frame of my 38 cadillac, I lag bolted 4x4's to the existing wooden frame under the body. This got the body off the ground.  Then I bolted heavy duty casters up to the 4x4's.  It rooled around easy.  I had the frame sandblasted and primed.  The guys offered to paint it too for an extra 100.00, I later wished I would have let them.  The frame was good and solid, no reason I saw to replace any rivits.

Thanks I plan to fab an auto twirl for my car   george

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

hi bruce thanks for the help.On another subject.I have a 500ci engine they said cam out of a 72caddy,is yours a fwd,friend said fwd bell housing  wont bolt up to a th400 rwd trans.I think hes wrong.do you know  thanks again george 

G'day George,

As far as I know, the only difference between a FWD 500 and a RWD 500 is the Sump and Oil Pickup from the Pump.

The FWD version has a "Double" hump sump to clear the Axle.

Bruce.

PS.   My '72 is sitting in Michigan, patiently waiting to greet me on August 5th next year.

[george]

hi bruce thanks for the help.On another subject.I have a 500ci engine they said cam out of a 72caddy,is yours a fwd,friend said fwd bell housing  wont bolt up to a th400 rwd trans.I think hes wrong.do you know  thanks again george 

G'day George,

As far as I know, the only difference between a FWD 500 and a RWD 500 is the Sump and Oil Pickup from the Pump.

The FWD version has a "Double" hump sump to clear the Axle.

Bruce. thanks bruce,if i can do somthing for you in this area let me know.Did you already buy the car?winter is coming is it outside?hit me up somtime at fatboyz01@comcast.net  thanks  george

PS.   My '72 is sitting in Michigan, patiently waiting to greet me on August 5th next year.