Customs 1950 1952 Buick frame question

I have a 1952 Buick Super hardtop, and a 1950 Super hardtop, the frames look the same and I would like to swap 52 on the 50 frame as it is already updated, any Buick guru's out there, I do not have pictures as the bodies are still attached. Also has anyone made a ******* conversion if so how did you tackle the cowl flex, I know the frames had extra X frame material and rear body mounts but not much at the cowl area. Thanks

 

The cowl flex can be dealt with by strengthening the inside of the rocker and carrying that all the way to the front of the cowl. You can also add a stiffener plate to the kick panel area and tie that to you strengthened rocker. I would use 16 gauge material for the stiffener.

You will want a body mount right at the front door hinge pillar and one at the front of the cowl. You might also want to replace the rubber body mount with solid spacers and bolt it tight to the frame. The cowl can be shimmed at these points to adjust door gaps.

When you are doing the build on a roofless car you want to have it on the frame you are going to use and sitting on its wheels, preferably with the engine and transmission in so that it represents the load on the frame. Frames flex and that can be addressed as well with gussets and plates. Hopefully that gets you going in the right direction.

 

Thanks, I didn't thing about boxing the rocker forward. The 1952 Buick had a tree fall on it and crushed the roof, the 1950 is the donor car it has bad floors but nice updated frame, it also has the nice sloped deck lid. The extra roof is a Special I wish it would fit its super nice.