Frame repair

6

67 Tiger

Gold forum user
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Seeing photos of cars like Tiger Tamers, or floridavids (finishing fordcrazy), gives me hope that some day Ill fix my car. I dont have rust or other issues, but the frame is bent in the front. I hit a curb going about 10mph and bent the frame at the lower radius between the subframe and the motor mounts. Over the years Ive talked to a number of Tiger "Experts". Some say just take it to a frame shop and let them strech it back. Others say replace the bent part. A few years back I bought a set of frame rails,(from the firewall to bumper mounts), so I can do either. One expert said if he worked on the frame, the fenders would have to come off. I would like to know if I supported the fenders and the front valance, could the frame rails be cut out and replaced? I know this is a major job, and the thought of cutting up my car scares the hell out of me, plus ,once you start doing this kind of work people start to question the cars birthright.
Photos can be seen in my old thread http://catmbr.org/VB_forum/showthread.php?t=48
 
If I had any money, it would be there. The reason Im going to try to do it myself is cost. Mig wire and jack stands arn't that much. I just want to know if the fenders can be supported without the frame rails? Everything is welded together, so with the right suppout will the fenders stay put?
 
My vote... Take it to someone with a frame machine that knows what they are doing and have it pulled back straight. The front cross member is likely bent as well (ask me how I know). Have the frame pulled straight with the cross member mounted on the car. You can even leave the engine in the car but the motor mounts should be replaced after the frame straightening. If you find the right frame guy (an old car enthusiast) it shouldn't be too expensive to have this done.
Replacing either of the frame rails will be a MAJOR job (and expensive if you want it done right) and the end result may not be to your liking from a cosmetic standpoint. Then, you still have a cross member that won't mount back onto the car (and paint work that will need to be done). Straightening a bent cross member out of the car would be nearly impossible to do so from a practical standpoint you would have to buy another one that is straight.
I restored my car myself so I'm a pretty handy guy but I would not attempt to do this kind of repair myself.
 
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The old days involved a 1 dimensional L__________________ shaped hydraulic
ram that would be hooked to the frame on the long leg part and then weld, bolt or some how affix on to the pushed in section. These old style systems do not have the multiple attachment locations that the modern "full frame machines gave" If you could get the data for all the measurement points specific to the car any good modern body shop could do the job. Most of the good shops stay away from the resto work and prefer "production" style repairs. I am thinking that if you wrecked the car you had liability only or you would have let your insurer handle it for you. There is always a cost benefit calc. between the cost of filing a claim "surcharge" or as they like to say accident free discount being removed. Sometimes it makes sense to take the hit and let the insurer fix the car. PM me if you need any ins and outs of the insurance industry.

If you don't have the dough to fix it roll with it as long as you can.
 
Thanks for all your input, when I finally figure out what Im going to do, and how Im going to do it, youll all be the first to know.
 
Premature posting

Sorry I did not get thru the pictures before spouting off. That really looks do able with the L shaped Frame single point aligner. Set it free and drive it any way you can afford to. 20 years is too long although I am in the same boat my 64 bug conv has not seen the road for 16 years.
 
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