1956 vs 1957 Frames

[David C.]

I just looked at a 1956 frame that is basically rust free and I am considering it as a replacement for my original 1957 frame.

What if any are the differences between the two or would it be better to fix my original rusty frame. The original frame has a lot of surface rust on it that I can see but since I have not removed the body, I do not know how bad the rest of it is.

Any recommendations??

Dave

[Mike M.]

Re: 1956 vs 1957 Frames

i'd look over the rear crossmembr area(where it welds/rivets to the rear farme rails) as that is almost always the first area to rust to the point of the need to do more than just sandblast and paint. i recently replaced the rear 1/3 of a super rusty 57 frame and the cost was much less than a repo frame. what you'll have to pay for the 56 frame is also to be considered. good luck,mike

[Gary C.]

Re: 1956 vs 1957 Frames

Dave, what is your '57 VIN? That will determine if there's any differences or not. Gary....

[David C.]

Re: 1956 vs 1957 Frames

Gary,

The serial number of my car is E57S105885 which I think makes it an August car.

The serial number on the 1956 frame is 56S001641

Thanks

[Gary C.]

Re: 1956 vs 1957 Frames

Dave, since your car is a late '57 frame, there are 2 differences. 1 - you have an extra rubber bumper over the rear axle and this is show in the AIM. 2 - your lower rear cross member has a total of 9 holes in the bottom (7 in the middle section,). '56 frames have only 7 (5 in the middle section). Attached sketch for differences. Gary....

[David C.]

Re: 1956 vs 1957 Frames

Gary,

Thank you for the detailed information.

Dave

[Philip C.]

Re: 1956 vs 1957 Frames

Dave, since your car is a late '57 frame, there are 2 differences. 1 - you have an extra rubber bumper over the rear axle and this is show in the AIM. 2 - your lower rear cross member has a total of 9 holes in the bottom (7 in the middle section,). '56 frames have only 7 (5 in the middle section). Attached sketch for differences. Gary....

Hi Gary I thought 56s had 5 holes, 3 in the center, like 53-55. Phil 8063

[Gary C.]

Re: 1956 vs 1957 Frames

Phil, 55's have 5 holes across the rear cross member inner section from the frame rails (excluding the 2 outer body mounting holes which are outside the frame rails) as well as 56's and early-to-mid 57's. Had a friend of mine check his two 55's today and that's what they have. Regards, Gary....

[Philip C.]

Re: 1956 vs 1957 Frames

Phil, 55's have 5 holes across the rear cross member inner section from the frame rails (excluding the 2 outer body mounting holes which are outside the frame rails) as well as 56's and early-to-mid 57's. Had a friend of mine check his two 55's today and that's what they have. Regards, Gary....

Hi Gary Iam a little ??? in your dot dia. you show 9 holes for 57 vin 300 and up and 7 holes for 56-57 to vin 300, there are only 5 like you said above. But if you count the body mount holes you have 7 and 11 not 7 and 9. So does 56-57 to vin 300 have 5 holes (not counting body mount) and 57 vin 300 and up have 9 ??? I know the four extra holes have nut plates for the rear 58 bumper brackets Thanks Phil 8063

[Gary C.]

Re: 1956 vs 1957 Frames

Phil, the diagram shows the "full" width of the rear cross member. Added frame rails to the drawing. Gary....