rusted out roof
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
rusted out roof
my 79 vet has a badly rusted out roof frame from the top of the a -pillars all the way down to where the dash and the pillars meet
just wondering if this is repair able by fibre glass or even welding, or is it my best bet to replace the roof frame, if thats a possible seperate piece?
just wondering if this is repair able by fibre glass or even welding, or is it my best bet to replace the roof frame, if thats a possible seperate piece?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,083
Likes: 2
From: Montreal Qc.
A few hours and no replies....
It's not like we don't know the answer, we all do and IT'S BAD. Kinda like if you came in here with a question like:
"I met this AMAZING GIRL last night, she seems so sweet, innocent and down to earth. I'm pretty sure we will get married and have kids. Her name is Paris Hilton. Anybody know her??"
Um yeah, you should do a search of the forum on Birdcage Rust, Windshield Frame Rust, Rocker Panel Rust, etc.
Good luck
It's not like we don't know the answer, we all do and IT'S BAD. Kinda like if you came in here with a question like:
"I met this AMAZING GIRL last night, she seems so sweet, innocent and down to earth. I'm pretty sure we will get married and have kids. Her name is Paris Hilton. Anybody know her??"
Um yeah, you should do a search of the forum on Birdcage Rust, Windshield Frame Rust, Rocker Panel Rust, etc.
Good luck
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 872
Likes: 3
From: Cortlandt Manor New York
That is one of the worst jobs in Corvette restoration. You really need to evaluate the damage before you proceed. The windshield frame can be repaired or replaced. It is a difficult and costly job but it is doable. If the rot continues down into the lower part of the birdcage behind the kick panels you are talking real big bucks.
You need to evaluate the damage and then make the determination as to what to do repair or run. If you just recently purchased the car try to void the sale. The pit you are looking into has no bottom.
You need to evaluate the damage and then make the determination as to what to do repair or run. If you just recently purchased the car try to void the sale. The pit you are looking into has no bottom.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
thanks for your input you make a lot of sense, but the thing i am contiplating is that the structure seems firm it just needs some reinforcement in certain areas that look repair with a good mig weld.
by the way how much do you think it would be to replace the bird cage/windshield frame?
by the way how much do you think it would be to replace the bird cage/windshield frame?
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
Unless the car has been sitting upside down in a swamp, if the top of the birdcage is rusted out I would be very, very frightened to see the lower portions and the frame. 
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 11,891
Likes: 3
From: Kansas City, MO ...I'd like to go fishing and catch a fishstick. That'd be convenient. - Mitch Hedberg
Originally Posted by pushin_400
thanks for your input you make a lot of sense, but the thing i am contiplating is that the structure seems firm it just needs some reinforcement in certain areas that look repair with a good mig weld.
by the way how much do you think it would be to replace the bird cage/windshield frame?
by the way how much do you think it would be to replace the bird cage/windshield frame?
Unfortunatly, it is THE pitfall of C3's. Unlike other cars, you can't just unbolt the front fenders and get to work. It can be fixed, just depends on either your abilities or the size of your pocket book. Good luck however you proceed.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
the lower potions seem some what in tacted (where the windshield and the panel behind the dash begin to meet, with some small rust outs, look like it can be reinforced.
=
will i have the same stability and support if i manage to reinforce the rusted spots on the roof and the corners of the a-pillars.
=
will i have the same stability and support if i manage to reinforce the rusted spots on the roof and the corners of the a-pillars.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
From: Winchester California
I just went thru this with my '71. I replaced the header and corner brackets (Corvette America $219 for the header and $75 x 2 for the corners) I welded in two patches in each pilar post. The dash and below were all ok so I coated every thing with "Rust Bullet" after cleaning and the new windshield goes in tomorrow. About $1100.00 Total
Good Luck !!
Good Luck !!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
Originally Posted by Vette45
I just went thru this with my '71. I replaced the header and corner brackets (Corvette America $219 for the header and $75 x 2 for the corners) I welded in two patches in each pilar post. The dash and below were all ok so I coated every thing with "Rust Bullet" after cleaning and the new windshield goes in tomorrow. About $1100.00 Total
Good Luck !!
Good Luck !!
the bar the supports the top of the windhsheild is rusted through and needs replacing.
the corner brackets look confusing (where the pilar meets the dash area) (behind door) is that all one piece or can the bracket be replaced sepratly.
if you have any pics of your project post them back here please i would like to compare the.
thanks
Safety Car
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 4,176
Likes: 7
From: Jennings LA
Originally Posted by Vette45
I just went thru this with my '71. I replaced the header and corner brackets (Corvette America $219 for the header and $75 x 2 for the corners) I welded in two patches in each pilar post. The dash and below were all ok so I coated every thing with "Rust Bullet" after cleaning and the new windshield goes in tomorrow. About $1100.00 Total
Good Luck !!
Good Luck !!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,083
Likes: 2
From: Montreal Qc.
Originally Posted by pushin_400
will it have the same stability if i were to weld new pieces of the windshield frame as if i were to replace it?
from this thread
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1449334
If you windsheild frame is bad, your rocker channels (lower birdcage section under the doors) just might look like this
You need to dig a bit deeper (into your car, and with a forum search) before anyone here, who hasn't seen your car, can tell you how easy/hard/feasible it will be to fix it.
-steve
(rust pics are from NHVette, he has more if you need them)
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
those pilars look similar to mine, but mine are completly rusted through and i have managed to cut most of it out. (both sides)
now i found a guy who is going to sell me a good windsheild frame for $450 (from the pilars up) is this a good deal or should i keep looking, becuase my sources for corvette pieces are limited as i live in Canada
now i found a guy who is going to sell me a good windsheild frame for $450 (from the pilars up) is this a good deal or should i keep looking, becuase my sources for corvette pieces are limited as i live in Canada
Safety Car
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 4,176
Likes: 7
From: Jennings LA
Originally Posted by pushin_400
now i found a guy who is going to sell me a good windsheild frame for $450 (from the pilars up) is this a good deal or should i keep looking, becuase my sources for corvette pieces are limited as i live in Canada
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
alright, good
now i have to figure out where to cut in the frame to make a proper weld. i was looking at the car yesterday and where the pilar begins to curve into the dash frame is beginning to rust out. should i repalce it or an be managble with reinforcement
but is that all one piece with the windshield frame that i have ordered or is it seperate part? sorry if these are dumb questions
now i have to figure out where to cut in the frame to make a proper weld. i was looking at the car yesterday and where the pilar begins to curve into the dash frame is beginning to rust out. should i repalce it or an be managble with reinforcement
but is that all one piece with the windshield frame that i have ordered or is it seperate part? sorry if these are dumb questions
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
Originally Posted by War Bonnet
Where are located, I looked at a windshield frame for sale on a 78 yesterday for 150.00 you can cut it of where you need. It was in useable cond. WB
WBhow well do you know windshield frames
i want to know is the frame all one piece to the floor or to the dash and then curves into the dash
- steve
DROP EM
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 10,189
Likes: 206
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C3 of Year
Shame your so far. The frame is made up from several sections, header, pilars, corners. You can buy what you need new, check part suppliers, you can see the items online. I just repaired the passenger side on my 72 WB
WB