When buying a project, look to see

[sixcharlie]

If the cross member, supporting the engine, has been welded in. A sure sign of some frame rail rot diagnosed sometime in the last 30 some years.

Why look?

Because it adds a few hours to the restoration project.

[lm48]

You got that right. I newer looked at this part of the car. Adding few hours only?, in my case was 2 weekends of cutting, grinding, welding, grinding and welding again, to rebuild the damage area before attaching the refurbished crossmember. Finally done

[sixcharlie]

My "few hours" are still piling up.

[lm48]

here are the results after 2 weekends. good luck with yours

[sixcharlie]

Nice! I'm going to have to weld the new one in. Just finished getting the old one out...

[vandor]

If you already have the welder out you might as well seamweld the crossmember, especially toward the ends, close to the studs.

[sixcharlie]

If you already have the welder out you might as well seamweld the crossmember, especially toward the ends, close to the studs.

Planning on that. Have to do it well because I don't want to have to do it again. Those welds were the hardest part of getting the bad crossmember out.

[lm48]

When I did mine I follow somebody advice from the forum and modified the frame to be able to use cylinder head bolts. This was the reason of so much welding. Know I can remove and install the crossmember relatively easy. This is an extra step but well worth.