I was working on my 65 Barracuda and noticed a piece of the K-frame around the strut rod bushing is breaking out. This car has been bent and it eats strut rod bushings. So I am debating whether to have the old K-frame straightened and weld up the break or just try to find a good K-frame.

The question is what years used the same size K-frame as the 65?

'64 and '65 for sure, '66 maybe. I have heard that '66 is a bastard year.

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Official Cookie and Mater Tormentor.

'67 is the bastard year, '63 to '66 should be swapable.

Thanks for the replies. I tried a search yesterday using "k frame" and got nothing. I tried again this morning with the hyphen; "k-frame" and got a bunch of hits!

I am going to look for a good k-frame first. If nothing turns up I will repair the old one.

Every single time I've had to pull an engine and yank all the steering and suspension components off a K-frame in order to remove it from a car, I think I've used the "b word", at LEAST once, REGARDLESS of year...

In THAT sense, they ALL qualify!

---Red

Hey Marc, if you can't turn anything up i could probably source one for ya.

BTW, while you have the bad boy on the it'd be a fantastic idea to weld up the seams, reinforce the strut rod plates, beef up the LCA tubes-- especially if you're running higher rate t-bars, box the steering mount, and if you're really brave- make the idler arm double shear!

If you're looking to reuse the busted K gimme a holler and i can give ya some pointers on how to make it better, stronger, faster... we have the technology to rebuild it, we have the means to make it better-- and it won't cost six-million dollars either.

-JYH

I hear you Red! I bought this car in 1985 and thought that frame didn't look right then. I have seen them in pickaparts and been tempted to get one but didn't want to deal with it.

JYH, Tell me more. The car is my wife's daily driver so my biggest concern is minimizing down time. I figured replacing it would be fastest. I know nothing about what it would take to straighten and strengthen it. What is your business and where are you?

I am not in a big hurry with it. It will probably hang together for a while. Maybe we could bring it and have you look at it.

If you wind up going to a self-serve boneyard to get your new K-frame, be forwarned that the 4 big bolts that attach it the the frame rails require a socket larger than those usually found in most standard socket sets (unless you have a 3/4" drive set): 1-1/16" is the socket size, if memory serves. A breaker bar might come in handy as well.

Just a heads-up. It would be a shame to spend all that time removing everything that's attached to the K-frame, including the engine, only to realize that you couldn't deal with those last 4 bolts for lack of one lousey socket!

Good idea: hose those 4 big bolts thoroughly with WD-40 or Liquid Wrench before you start in on removing all the other stuff. That way, they'll be soaking while you're wrenching. Remember, they probably haven't been touched since they were installed at the factory, lo these many moons ago, and have been subjected to years of dirt/moisture/oil/mud/tar/whatever exposure under there. After you've turned 'em out enough to expose a few threads, hose 'em again.

Yep: 1-1/16" it is...just checked one on my daughter's '66 Valiant, and I know that's the socket I used when I got the swaybar-through K-frame off a '74 Dart I used as a doner for the disc-brake upgrade on my '71 Dart.

Happy hunting and good luck!

---Red

I heard that too, Red! I am familiar with frame and suspension bolts and I have the broken sockets to prove it! The skinned knuckles, pulled muscles and other wounds have all healed. Those four bolts is what has always discouraged me in the past! What is really needed for those is one of those 4000 degree acetyline wrenches.

I have some 62-66 A-Body K-members so if you are on the West coast, drop me a PM and we can work-out a deal. (they arwe heavy and expensive to ship long distance)

JYH has the right idea as far are doing some reinforcement / weld touch-up work while you have the unit out, some of the factory welds are pretty crappy.
DD

Hey Marc, i'm in the Van Nuys area. If you're avail. during the week or in the evenings on the weekend i'd be more than happy to have a look at your rig and show you the k-frame boogie.
Doc might be able to get you one right quick, but i'll have time next week to see what i can find out in the u-pull it land.
Igor, quickly fetch me the blue wrench and the stakes! It's ALIVE!!
*laughs*

-JYH

JYH,

Thanks for the tip on Atlas auto wrecking in N Hlywd. Cool place, although expensive.

I saw a few early A body Ks there in good shape. There may also still be a '63 4dr Dart in Pick-Your-Part in Sun Valley that has a K on it - Cheap.

Flingin' into Spring soon...

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

Lou,
Which yard was it in? Seems there are two self service yards in that neighborhood. There is one on Pendleton and I don't remember where the other one was?

How long ago did you see it? And was the engine out of the car?

I used to live in Sun Valley. Sold my house there in 1986. Back then there was a yard that specialized in Mopars up on Branford Street. Don't remember the name though.

I believe it is Pendleton, but the car may be gone by now - saw it in Dec. Motor in it.

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

Hey Lou, sorry i couldn't tear myself away to meet up with ya for lunch. the fling is right around the corner, i'm sure that we'll hoist a few then!

Marc, i think that Lou went to the Sun Valley PYP on tuxford. I'm a few miles away and i'll see if i can get over there tomorrow.

-JYH