INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS 55-57 Chevrolet Frame Brace Kit ... · • Cut-off wheel, plasma cutter, or other cutting device • Marking tool • C-clamps ... This is also a perfect

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

55-57 Chevrolet Frame Brace Kit

Part Number SUM-770810

The installation of this kit requires welding and frame modification. Please read through the

installation process and fully understand the tasks required before proceeding!

Tools Required:

• Level

• Measuring tools

• 1/4” Drift or Punch for alignment holes

• Welder capable of welding 1/8” - 3/16” thick steel

• Grinder

• Cut-off wheel, plasma cutter, or other cutting device

• Marking tool

• C-clamps

• 9/16” sockets and ratchet, wrenches etc

• SAE Allen keys or allen sockets

CALL BEFORE RETURNING:

Should you experience difficulties with the installation of this product, or should you have concerns about

the quality of this product, CALL Summit Racing at 1-800-230-3030 before returning this product to the

vendor.

INTRODUCTION:

These instructions contain all the information needed to install the 1955-1957 Chevrolet Belair/210/150

Frame Reinforcement Kit. Please read and fully understand the instructions before attempting installation.

Be sure to READ ALL WARNINGS and NOTES, as they contain important information that can save you

time, errors, and extra expense. Be sure to take all safety precautions required to perform the installation

correctly. Installation of these parts should be performed by qualified personnel.

Summit Racing will not be responsible for any alleged or actual frame or other damage, or any other

conditions, resulting from the improper installation, misapplication or misuse of (any of its products) (the

parts described herein). The person who does the installation is solely responsible for conditions arising

from use of this product.

WARNING!

These instructions must be read and fully understood before attempting installation. Failure to follow these

instructions may result in poor performance, vehicle damage or personal injury. It is the responsibility of

the person installing any part to determine the suitability of the part for that particular application. If these

instructions are not fully understood, installation should not be attempted.

You may obtain additional information and technical help for this product by calling Summit Racing. Use of Summit Racing technical support does not guarantee proper installation. It is not possible by telephone

to understand or foresee all the issues that may arise in your installation. All products are intended for

offroad use only. All products should be installed by qualified professionals only.

It is recommended that the frame be removed from the body to perform this installation. This kit

has been installed from under the car, but it is more difficult and proper welding may not be

possible. It is up to you to be comfortable with the installation process and ensure that you can

fully weld the components properly.




Step 1: Watch the installation video - https://youtu.be/3PMoE9VwAAs

Step 2: Prepare your frame for this installation. It is recommended that it be removed from the car and

positioned on a level work area, either on stands or on a jig or table. Make sure that the frame is level front

to back, as well as side to side.

Step 3: Ensure your frame is straight. Included are factory frame measurement specifications. If your

frame has twist, sag, or bowing, please straighten and bring the frame into factory tolerances. As you fit

the kit and weld it together, you will lock in the aspects of the frame.

PRO’s TIP: Measure twice! Write down your measurements and refer back to them throughout the

process. If you don’t have a jig fixture or table, you can use f-clamps or similar to retain the alignment of

the frame to the kit. After welding your frame will stay in that configuration.

Step 4: Prepare your work surfaces on the frame. You may use the fixture welded side rails of the kit as

reference to mark out the areas that you will be welding too. If you have not sandblasted or stripped the

whole frame, you can use abrasive discs to clean up the areas you will be welding. The more prep work

you do, the better your end result will be!

Step 5: To install the included motor mount frame

stands, you must remove two factory rivets per side

on the rear of the engine crossmember. Cut or grind

the heads off and punch out the rivets. The motor

mounts bolt into these holes with the included 3/8

hardware. You may need to enlarge the factory rivet

holes with a drill bit. (See Figure 1)

Step 6: Once you have bolted the motor mounts to

the rivet holes, use the mount as a drill guide to drill

out the two holes per side required to finish bolting

in the motor mounts. Finish installing with the

supplied hardware. (See Figure 2)

Figure 1: Factory Rivets Removed

PRO’s TIP: There can be minor tolerances in the

factory frame and the holes you have drilled, so we

have slotted the motor mount stands horizontally for

you. Leave the motor mount stand bolts loose while

you mock up your motor. Once the motor is bolted to

the stands, tighten the motor mounts to lock in the

exact location! Figure 2: Drill holes using mount as guide




Step 7: Now is the time to decide if you are going to

remove the factory “frame horns” that the original

transmission bellhousing mounted to. Removing this

will allow more room for headers and exhaust, as well

as clean up the appearance of your frame. Proceed

with Step 7a if you are going to remove this factory

frame horn mount. If you choose to retain the factory

frame horn mounts, you must trim the front body

mount off of the fixture welded side rails included in

your kit. On the front mounting plate there is a slot

and a notch cut into the plate to mark out the cut line

to do so. (Figure 3) Simply mark a line between these

notches and cut off the front body mount ONLY if you

choose not to remove the Figure 3: Cut line if you are not

removing frame horns factory “frame horns” from your chassis.

Step 7a: Remove the factory “frame horn” transmission

mounts. Cut the welds and drill any spot welds out,

allowing the mount to be removed. Grind off the remnants

of the weld to provide a smooth mounting surface for the

kit. (Figure 4)

NOTE: If you remove the factory transmission mounting

horns, the removed body mount is incorporated into the

kit’s front mounting point to retain the rigidity that this

provides!

Figure 4: Frame horn removed from chassis

Step 8: Position the side rail assembly on the side of the

frame, locating it by inserting a dowel, drift, punch or

bolt into the alignment hole in the mounting plate.

(Figure 5) The entire assembly will lift up from the

bottom until the mounting plates contact the bottom of

the frame. Use c-clamps or similar clamping device to

hold the side rail assembly in place. Ensure that the

transmission mounting surface is level with the frame

rails, and level side to side. (Figure 6) You can make

slight changes to the way it sits by adjusting your clamps

and clamping positions.

Figure 5: Side rail aligned with factory hole




Step 9: Once positioned, tack the side rail assembly to your frame. It

is recommended to tack the corners of all the mounting plates. Do not

fully weld until the entire kit is tacked into position.

Step 10: Repeat Steps 8 and 9 with the other side rail assembly.

Step 11: Bolt the transmission crossmember into place using the

supplied 3/8 x 1 1/4” hardware to tie the two side rails together for the

welding process. Remember NOT to weld the transmission

crossmember into place!

Figure 6: Transmission mount level before welding

Step 12: Position the rear crossmember between the left and right side rails with the straight edge facing

rearwards. We recommend the front edge of the crossmember be positioned at 25” back from the rear

face of the transmission mounts. (Figure 7) You may adjust this position to your liking, but it is designed

to be placed as far rearward as possible to improve rigidity. Ensure it is centered left to right in the frame,

and is sitting level. Once you are happy with the location, tack weld the corners into place.

Figure 7: Crossmember bolted in and rear weld-in crossmember positioned at 25” back from transmission crossmember

Step 13: Now that everything has been tacked into place, double check the positioning of the side rails and

rear crossmember. Ensure that everything is sitting level. The kit can now be fully welded. Proceed

SLOWLY, and allow time to cool in between welds. It is recommended to keep your welds shorter than

3” in length, and perform equal and opposite welds to both the left and right side of the frame to retain your

frame’s shape.

PRO’s TIP: Time is your friend! During the welding process, allow time to cool and remember to alternate

sides as you weld. This will keep your frame square and prevent warpage!




Step 14: Once your frame is cool to the touch from welding, you may now unbolt your transmission

crossmember to allow for painting, coating, or Drivetrain mock up assembly! You will notice that the

transmission mounting brackets are notched out on the bottom where they meet the frame. This is to allow

for a factory pre-bent style brake and fuel line to be installed along the bottom of the frame. Minor

adjustments may be needed to the lines, but there is room allowed for 3/8 feed and return fuel lines, as well

as any brake line you may run. This is also a perfect time to build your exhaust system utilizing the built

in mounting points. The unique layout of this kit allows for the use of an x pipe or crossover, and is designed

to position an offset/center style muffler under the rear seat area of the car, just behind the newly installed

frame bracing package.

Step 15: The included stainless exhaust hangers (Figure 8) can be

tacked onto the exhaust pipes while bolted in location. Bolting them

in from the rear of the crossmembers allows the exhaust to be pulled

away from the headers should you need to remove it at a later date.

Included are 2.5” and 3” hangers to use with your chosen exhaust

tubing size.

WARNING: Remove the grommet before fully welding the

exhaust hanger to the pipes! These are high temp silicone

grommets, but the weld will melt them. Figure 8: Weld on stainless exhaust hangers

PRO’s TIP: Always use anti-seize on the stainless bolts that we have included so the threads don’t gall.

Your installation is now complete, and your reinforced chassis is now ready for final assembly!

Thank you for your purchase!

Documents

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS 55-57 Chevrolet Frame Brace Kit ... · • Cut-off wheel, plasma cutter, or other cutting device • Marking tool • C-clamps ... This is also a perfect