Frame repair

[Challenger in NC]

Looks like you need this too?
http://www.rosevillemoparts.com/product_info.php/front-frame-rail-/e-body/p/rocker-to-frame-lower-shield-right-set-e-body-70-74/cPath/347_134_272_450/products_id/6943

Definitely,  I picked up one of those sets not long ago.

[1 Wild R/T]

And I'll be the nay sayer of the bunch... Hanging on a rotisserie, the floor is already cut away... now you want to cut the frame rail & the rocker box....  The floor alone was a bad idea... It provides most of the shear strength, the roof is what keeping your car from hitting the floor.... Cutting away large pieces of metal with the car not properly supported is asked for a twisted mess... Get the car off the rotisserie & properly supported till its solidly welded back together...  

[HP_Cuda]

I would go one step further being a nay sayer and having gone through this myself.

Sometimes it's better to just bite the bullet replace the section of frame and do it right by putting it on a frame rack so you know everything is nice and straight. You have to figure the time and energy to fix what you have versus putting it on a frame rack and knowing that it will come out straight. Besides if you get it wrong - not good consequences.

Just saying there is always a couple ways to look at a problem.

[Challenger in NC]

And I'll be the nay sayer of the bunch... Hanging on a rotisserie, the floor is already cut away... now you want to cut the frame rail & the rocker box....  The floor alone was a bad idea... It provides most of the shear strength, the roof is what keeping your car from hitting the floor.... Cutting away large pieces of metal with the car not properly supported is asked for a twisted mess... Get the car off the rotisserie & properly supported till its solidly welded back together...

I understand what you are saying, but the car was not put on the rotisserie until I welded in support angles where the floor was (like a sub-frame connector). In addition to that, there are angles and door bars tieing the hinge/cowl area back to the rear half of the car. With that said, if I do decide to cut out a sections of the frame, I will do small sections at a time (bottom portion of rail separate from rocker box) . I will defintely give it some more thought.

[Challenger in NC]

I would go one step further being a nay sayer and having gone through this myself.

Sometimes it's better to just bite the bullet replace the section of frame and do it right by putting it on a frame rack so you know everything is nice and straight. You have to figure the time and energy to fix what you have versus putting it on a frame rack and knowing that it will come out straight. Besides if you get it wrong - not good consequences.

Just saying there is always a couple ways to look at a problem.

That is true. Unless the frame measurements are out, which I need to investigate some more, I hope not to go to that extent. One particular area that I do worry about are the rocker panels. These will require attention as I can see they have been repaired, and not very well. I most likely will have a shop handle that and that will be done off the rotisserie.

[1 Wild R/T]

 Besides if you get it wrong - not good consequences.

This right here.... I've seen to many cars that things don't fit right... You can adjust this, move that.. And live with the result.... Or you can make the extra effort now when it's a relatively easy repair... Once it's painted it sucks to find out it's gotta go on a frame rack... I know of two cars that this happened to... I also know of a few cars that should have gone on a frame rack but instead got adjustments  & live with the results.... Do it right & do it now.....   Or listen to the guys who say "I think it'll be fine"

[Challenger in NC]

This right here.... I've seen to many cars that things don't fit right... You can adjust this, move that.. And live with the result.... Or you can make the extra effort now when it's a relatively easy repair... Once it's painted it sucks to find out it's gotta go on a frame rack... I know of two cars that this happened to... I also know of a few cars that should have gone on a frame rack but instead got adjustments  & live with the results.... Do it right & do it now.....   Or listen to the guys who say "I think it'll be fine"

So, if I confirm these measurements, and they are within say 1/8"-1/4", is this deemed acceptable or is the car still a candidate for frame alignment? How close do they have to read to be considered within tolerance?

[1 Wild R/T]

I'd say if things are within 1/8" I'd feel real good, a 1/4" I'd start being a little concerned... But keep in mind you need to check the elevations too....  Personally I do major metal replacement with the car sitting on eight jack stands... Two per rail.... I use a 4' carpenters level & shims to level the car side to side then I use lengths of coat hanger wire & the 4' level to check the elevations...

[jimynick]

1/8th" was always the standard for variation. Do you really want to go through all this rather than simply knock the dents out? If the rail is in even half decent shape I wouldn't even consider screwing with it over this