[Spridgets] bent frame rails

[bv]

Biff,

In the factory body works section 'O' , the  7 3/8 difference in in the width
between the rear suspension mounting points and the front A-arm mounting
points, not the height.  All the measurement are from side to side, and front
to back, not for height.

BTW - The frame and tub of my sprite were virtually rust free, and had no
original body damage, (I was very lucky).

Regards,
Bryan

--- On Fri, 12/19/08, Biff Jones <biffjones at verizon.net> wrote:
From: Biff Jones <biffjones at verizon.net>
Subject: Re: [Spridgets] bent  frame rails
To: spridgets at autox.team.net
Date: Friday, December 19, 2008, 11:16 AM

BV,

By all means ignore what everyone has told you re: the front frame rails and
straighten them.
However, after you have done that you will find that the steering doesn't
want to function as expected.

It is possible for them to bend but our good friend rust will most likely be
there to show you. If the rails
and the bottom plate show significant rust or rust through then it's
possible. We can't diagnose that over
the internet.

Get a factory manual and in the "Bodywork" section, section
"O" you will find a chart to assist you in doing
"The Horizontal Alignment Check".  A quick look will tell you that
the front frame rails have a 7 3/8" difference
in height from a level surface upward from where they attach to the cross
member in the cockpit to the front
suspension inner (front) pivot bolt.

You have to understand that the "frame" was designed to use parts
that were standard parts from the BMC parts
bins. 99% of all they parts were standard BMC parts to keep the costs down.
It
was cheaper to design the "frame"
to use these existing parts rather than modifying/redesigning new parts.

In short the frame rails do bend upwards.  It's your car do what you
"think" is right.

Biff Jones
'Frogarri' '59 Bugeye
'Ole Gray' '61 AH Sprite
http://sprites2.homestead.com/
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