Does this cushion belong on the frame?

[Whiplash]

I'm going through my frame off on my '71 and I have two foam pieces, one on each side, on the frame that I'm not sure should be there. I can't find them in any catalogues. They appear to be foam cushions that isolate the body from the frame.

Does anyone else have these on their frames? If so have you seen them in the aftermarket?

I've circled them in red below.

[Mac]

Mine had them before the restoration but not after, if you know what I mean!!

-Mac

[Peer81]

The first thing that pops into my mind is, look at bodymount 3 and 4 inside the A pillar and look if they are not rotten through. Maybe these foam pieces are to support the burtcage when bodymount 3 and 4 can't sustain the support anymore. But then again, these pieces can only be placed with the body up a few inches or body off, so maybe they were tools to assemble the corvette and forgotten to take off the frame?

Greetings Peter.

[Bill75]

I have some foam heat shields on my 75 right in that area that prevent the engine compartment heat from flowing around the body, they're kind of a yellowish color. They look similar.

I wish my frame looked that good!

Bill

[Offbeat Octane]

I read an article on corvettefaq about putting a body on a frame and those were in the directions. I look it up tonight after work/school.

Chad

[Artsvette73]

Yes they belong there. And there are two more. Right before #3 mount it is smaller then the one in the front. Problem is I replaced the front ones but I can't remember what supplier I got them from..........I remember now Corvette Central
Front is... Frame rail shield P/n 183004
Rear is ..Body sill wedge P/n 183006
Hope that helps you out... Jack

[Mac]

Jack, what do they do beside collect dirt? Anyone know??

-Mac

[Whiplash]

Originally Posted by Mac

Jack, what do they do beside collect dirt? Anyone know??

-Mac

Thanks everyone! I found some more information looking through Doc Rebuild's catalogue last night. They're called heat shields. They also show foam inserts in various sections of the frame similar to the descriptions above. The inserts varied based on model year.

I'm not too sure how they isolate heat transfer from the frame. They really don't make any sense to me at all considering how much heat comes into the cabin just from the exhaust under your feet.

I'll probably order the replacements just in case they serve some real function.

Thanks for the replies.



Whiplash

[Artsvette73]

I am clue less of what purpose they serve. Maybe someone else has an answer

[JohnZ]

They were intended to close off the front of the rectangular opening (gap) between the top of the frame and the bottom of the birdcage sill channel; don't recall if it was to stop water and road crud (corrosion) or heat.