Quote:
Originally Posted by Keith Seymore
You can see the frames start out upside down, to allow gravity to help when installing the front crossmember/suspension and rear axle.
One other result is that the grease pencil markings on the frame are written in this condition and therefore appear upside down when viewed on a complete vehicle.
Frame turn-over is an interesting operation. Pontiac Michigan had an elaborate fixture that would grab the frame from the side and lift it up and over, landing it on the next conveyor in the upright position. (Pretty sure that is what we are seeing here; the light colored mechanism in the foreground hooks in the flange of the frame rail).
In Flint, the frames were hanging from chains, and so the turnover operation consisted of simply picking up one side with an air hoist, lifting it over center and letting it free fall the rest of the way. The frames danced around a bit when they slammed down so you wanted to give those guys a lot of extra space.
K
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One other little nuance, in case anyone cares:
Normally, then and now, frames are received as a complete unit.
For some reason the squarebody pickup frames were received as individual rails and crossmembers. Perhaps this was due to the large amount of proliferation (2wd, 4wd, 1/2 ton, 3/4 ton, one ton, long wheel base, short wheel base) all built down the same line.
Frame rails where placed on a "pedestal conveyor", which served to both fixture the assembly and move the frame down the line, where the individual crossmembers, spring hangers and exhaust hangers were riveted in place. After the frame was squared and secure it was transferred from the pedestals to the hanging chains as shown in my previous post above.
K
Passenger car frames in Pontiac, Michigan: