Coupe

So I am rebuilding the back half of my 65 FB and am having some minor width issues that may be showing up from repairs made by the previous owner.
My problem is my new RTB (Rear trunk brace) will not fit, it's about 1/2" wider than where it goes. My RTB is new and it measures 53 1/4" wide, is that correct?


I have the frame dimension drawing, but it does not call out the widths of body panels etc..

Coupe

63 looks and nothing?

Does anybody know of a book that shows real specs?

Jonk67

Sorry, 64 lookie loo's now. I saw 'Coupe' and thought I could help but have a '67 Coupe.

Maybe if your title was more specific like '65 FB Rear trunk brace measurement help'
Just a thought, the title is rather generic as it is now and may not catch someones eye that can help.
Good luck,
Jon

64.5stanger

got a measurement 4 you. Distance between frame rails (@ rear most holes)=43"
hope that helps, was the only rear #s I could find

Coupe

So the first sentence was not enough of a clue?

Coupe

Thanks, I have the frame print/drawing. It calls that out. My issue was my rear brace seemed a bit tight, I'm sure it was the quarter panel fitment but I wanted to be sure. To this day I really dont have a solid reference number to compare it to and that concerns me with imported sheet metal. I mean, if I cant find it how can I tell good parts from junk? I could tell the pockets for the frame ends to sit in were really close, but what about the overall?

The one thing I never did find was the pin location in front of the front leave spring mount, it shows how to check square with a diagonal measurement but the drawing shows two holes and my car only has the one?

bent metal

I ran into this problem on the one that I did. It drove me crazy trying to figure out where parts needed to go. I came to the conclusion you can't trust the new panels. The holes can be off a little, the panel can be off a little too. What I finally did was go by the centerline on the car, matched up with the center line on the new part, or of course, measure to the center line. I think that's the only thing you can do.

I do still have the drawings I made from the car I did. Can you make a little drawing and show what measurements you need? ...I'm dumb, I need a picture.

1969boss302

I have a NOS one that I got in the 80's I just checked it and it measures 53 1/8" overall. Maybe one or both of the flanges are off on yours, but if you are out 1/2" I would double check the dimensions on the parts that you have removed/replaced so far. Have you removed either of the frame rails?

Coupe

Thanks guys. Boss302 it sounds like mine is just a tick long, but it must be long on the outside of the frame pockets because they seem to sit in the proper notch.

I ended up folding my flanges in more and drilling some welds to get one quarter loose to make room for the drop off to fit between the quarter pinch weld and the rear trunk brace. That quarter looked like it was in to far when you looked at the extension car, the quarter stuck out past it but the trunk gap was good.

In the end I think I'm fine, but I wish we had a database of what these oem numbers were.