Tri-Five gurus....I.D. ing a frame??

I picked up a rolling frame and a small V8 with a 4bbl/Powerglide combo, (not mounted in the frame)and I was wondering if there is any way to tell what year the frame is? I was told it was a '55, but I'm not sure...are there any numbers and if so, where and what do I look for?
It's been outside for a while, and it's going to the blaster...

Also, one of the brackets have been trimmed down, in the transmission area, and there is what appears to be a rear trans mount bolted through the frame...any guesses as to why this is?

Any help would be great...

 

If the front frame horns, ahead of the cross member, are cut off box tubing, then it's a '57.
If the front frame horns, ahead of the cross member, are rounded channel, and the bumper brackets bolt to them, then it's a '55 or '56. The '55 and '56 are interchangeable.

The Tri-5 Chevy's used front engine mounts on each side of the timing cover, and at the rear they used side mounts that attached to ears on the bellhousing. A popular modification is to whack those mounts off and do a single mount under the tailshaft of the trans, as modern cars use. There are a number of trans crossmember mounts, and it sounds like that's what you have.

I've heard that using front motor mounts with a single trans cross member mount can damage and stress the block. Side engine mounts (there are a number of conversion kits available, bolt-in and weld-in) can be added.

Hope this helps.
-Brad

 

Brad pretty much said it all. The only thing I have to add is that as far as numbers go....there should be numbers on the top of the frame rail, driver's side, and are located right about where the rear of the door would be on a 2 door hardtop....but I have friggen forgot exactly what information they give you Hope all it is what you think it is and all....good luck with it.

Greg

 

Thanks guys, from what I've been able to dig up, it's a 56, assembled in Oakland, and the 265/powerglide is probably the original equipment.

Now I just wish I had the body to go with it...lol.

Thanks again.

 

You live in Cali...your search for a decent body should not take you very long....I live in NY....just try to imagine that

Greg

 

There are 2 types of frames as well. One with a weld the length of the frame top and bottom and one that is tube sections welded together top to bottom, and is the desireable Nascar or west coast frame. I don't know if that is their real name, but that is what I have heard them called. They are lighter and were supposedly used randomly in production cars on the line so they could be used in Nascar racing. I am doing one up for a friend of mine to sit under his 55 2-door wagon. It was under a 56 chev 210 4-door sedan, although I have seen them under nomads and hardtops. Canadian Pontiacs also used the regular 55-57 chev frames and running gear. Nutz.