Well, it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Here are some pictures of my 72 bird cage replacement including the old bird cage, rear clip with the cage cut out and then the rear clip with the new cage installed.


SEE BELOW FOR THE PICTURES!!!!!!

 

Ok, this didn't work, why does it say image is pending approval? What did I do wrong?

 

If you upload pics to the forum instead of another photo site the admins have to approve them before they can be seen - usually happens within 24 hrs - and I think they send you an email once they are approved.

 

It will take a day or less for the mods to approve your pics.

 

Thank you. What would be another photo site that I could upload them to?

 

picturejudge.com or photobucket.com

 

This is sad, but I think it was more work for me to add photo's than to replace the bird cage...



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Nice work you have done. Many whould not even think about doing the change. BTW where did you find the new bird cage?

 

Impressive!

 

THAT does look good, and I ask also....where did you find a new bird cage??? them thing has been rare as hen's teeth and impossible to find...someone making them now??

GENE

 

Sorry about using the word new on the bird cage. It was a very clean used cage that I had powdercoated. It was new to me!!!!!!!!!!

 

I hate to sound like a novice but what is considered the bird case????
Tom

 

nice!!

 

wish mine looked that nice

 

Thanks everyone for your help during the process...

 

Thats amazing. I have had mine apart but you went to the next level.

Keep at it. It looks like it will turn out great.

 

Where did you get all the info on where to break everything apart from? I would like to go that route with mine. dont remember reading a post about it. john

 

The bird cage is a steel inner structure that surrounds the passenger compartment. This page should be of intrest.

http://www.zip-products.com/Zip/dept...D478339B2B8CC0

BigBlockk

Later.....

 

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Where did you get all the info on where to break everything apart from? I would like to go that route with mine. dont remember reading a post about it. john

There really is not that much information available in books or online for the bird cage replacement. I used standard I-car repair procedures for the lock pillar and then just redid the t-top bar. I drilled out the plug welds on the t-top bar and plug welded them same as the factory spot welds. On the lock pillar I cut it above the striker (for strength when shutting the door), then made a sleeve out of the old pillar, plug welded it in place and then butt welded the upper and lower halves together using the sleeve as a backer. With the sleeve in there the welded joint will actually be stronger than the original sleeve and since it is the lock pillar it will keep the passenger compartment safer in the event of a side impact. (not that there is much protection without side impact bars in the doors in the early C-3's) All of the fiberglass I broke loose along the factor seems except for the part along the lock pillar, that I just cut and then made a bonding strip out of a donar piece of fiberglass. It took a little time, but overall it was straight forward and with it now being powder coated I know it will never rust again. If anyone needs any more specifics let me know, I would be glad to help...

 

Saturday I got the cage out of the donor car. I am now trying to figure out where the seam is for the lower fiberglass sills as it starts up the cage where the interior and color codes are located. Or is that all one piece? It looks like there is a seam where is begins to make the transition up. My donor cage is a late '76 or early '77.

How do I post a picture?