Rusty frame?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,913
Likes: 60
From: Twin Cities, MN
Rusty frame?
Ok, so my dad's '67 was driven through a few Minnesota winters back in the 70's. It has a pretty good deal of surface rust. I was just out in the garage "tapping" at the frame with a flat headed screw driver, and it sounds pretty good. I only spent 20 minutes looking at it, but from a quick glance it looks pretty good.
My question is, when I spend more time looking at it this weekend, will there be "problem" areas that I can't get at without pulling the body off?
I've read that the "kickup" area is a problem. I looked at the side of the kickup that faces backwards towards the wheel, and they both look really solid.
My dad is coming over this weekend and we're putting the car up on ramps and checking it more thoroughly. Any suggestions on other stuff to check?
In case you are wondering, we are starting the inital fact finding on our car to see how much $$$ it will cost to restore.
Thanks in advance guys. Oh, BTW it's a '67 roadster red/black/black, 4 speed, L79.
Cheers.
Chris
My question is, when I spend more time looking at it this weekend, will there be "problem" areas that I can't get at without pulling the body off?
I've read that the "kickup" area is a problem. I looked at the side of the kickup that faces backwards towards the wheel, and they both look really solid.
My dad is coming over this weekend and we're putting the car up on ramps and checking it more thoroughly. Any suggestions on other stuff to check?
In case you are wondering, we are starting the inital fact finding on our car to see how much $$$ it will cost to restore.
Thanks in advance guys. Oh, BTW it's a '67 roadster red/black/black, 4 speed, L79.
Cheers.
Chris
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 18,191
Likes: 145
From: Snake handler
Sounds like your starting a fun project! You'll want to check carefully in front of the kick up area - on the top side of the frame - it's hard to see - use a mirror or stick your hand up there and see if there are chunks of rusted metal loose up there or any holes. My frame looked OK on the bottom but upon removing the body was almost rusted in half on the top. Another place to check is the crossmember that is under the engine - look for cracks.
Sometimes you only find significant rust after the body is off. Either way - rust doesn't mean that the project is not doable - most of these problems can be fixed. In my case I was able to pick up a later model frame for $200 so I got lucky.
The birdcage is also an area to check although it's hard to see with the body on. Perhaps a member with a coupe will chime in on this - (mines a vert).
Good luck!
pm
Sometimes you only find significant rust after the body is off. Either way - rust doesn't mean that the project is not doable - most of these problems can be fixed. In my case I was able to pick up a later model frame for $200 so I got lucky.
The birdcage is also an area to check although it's hard to see with the body on. Perhaps a member with a coupe will chime in on this - (mines a vert).
Good luck!
pm
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 8,506
Likes: 3
From: Calhoun, GA_______ Let It Rock
Take many pictures and post them for us.
Also, check the frame area where the trailing arm bolts to the kickup.
New frame - about 3500.00. If you go that far, you might as well plan on redoing everything.
Also, check the frame area where the trailing arm bolts to the kickup.
New frame - about 3500.00. If you go that far, you might as well plan on redoing everything.
POSSE ZR-1 Driver
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,980
Likes: 138
From: Groton CT
Shine a light into the pockets where the trailing arms bolt up and look for pinholes in the kickups. also the endcaps on the frame rails adjacent to the kickups and the end of the left frame rail. You can't see the pinholes in this pic, but the other rust is quite apparent.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,808
Likes: 24
From: Westport CT
On the Birdcage check: I have found that by simply removing the glove box (4 screws on the two bottom tabs and then the screws around the inside front face) you can get a good look at one side-corner of the birdcage / windshield channel area, at least the area that is prone to rust issues
