Cracked frame 86 TA
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Joined: Apr 2000
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From: T E X A S
Cracked frame 86 TA
We pulled the motor and trans from my friends 86 TA and notice it has a crack in the frame right at the corner of the firewall and trans tunnel. What could have caused this? 
The car seems straight, every thing aligns fine, the radiator suport doesnt seem like its ever been repaired or welded in any spots. The car had a 305 in it, so it wasnt running 7s or any thing.
The car seems straight, every thing aligns fine, the radiator suport doesnt seem like its ever been repaired or welded in any spots. The car had a 305 in it, so it wasnt running 7s or any thing.
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 16
From: hamilton, nj
Re: Cracked frame 86 TA
havenet seen pics, but i no its possible to F up your firewall when remvoing a trans and motor, lol i learned that the hard way. maybe its a small crack from the trans hitting the tunnel/firewall and someone jacking up the motor too much to put stress on it. maybe??? just an idea
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 714
From: Ewing, NJ
Re: Cracked frame 86 TA
Originally Posted by icemanrs305
havenet seen pics, but i no its possible to F up your firewall when remvoing a trans and motor, lol i learned that the hard way. maybe its a small crack from the trans hitting the tunnel/firewall and someone jacking up the motor too much to put stress on it. maybe??? just an idea
- Justin
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 368
Re: Cracked frame 86 TA
Originally Posted by Tru2Chevy
If you had the motor mounts undone and you were jacking up the motor, I would think that the tranny crossmember would give before the firewall would. I know 3rd gens aren't rock solid, but I would think that they would take more than a motor being pressed into it to crack a firewall.
- Justin
- Justin
Ive seen small crack where the sheetmetal ripples from it being formed. Its a problem from the factory not really anything else. The crack in my buddies was so small we cleaned it up, welded it, grinded the bead and repainted it. You cant even tell, its an easy fix.
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 447
From: NY Rochester
Re: Cracked frame 86 TA
my frame was cracked just because the car was old and had alot of body shift because it wasnt taken care of.no suspention it was all factory. i had it welded several time then i just got rid of it. but mine cracked at the power steering box.
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Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 2,947
From: Springfield,OH. U.S.A.
Re: Cracked frame 86 TA
Mine cracked at the steering box too, I just added an 1/8" steel plate, welded in for strength, repainted and reinstalled the gear, steering feels really solid now.
Body shop wanted $1700 Dollars to replace the entire rail...
Body shop wanted $1700 Dollars to replace the entire rail...
Registered User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 16
From: hamilton, nj
Re: Cracked frame 86 TA
i was talking if the tranny was unbolted from the crossmember and the motor was off the motor mounts and you were trying to pull it out and knocked the tunnel. i no it would take prob a tremendous froce to do so, but i have no idea how else it would crack
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