Rust Opinions Wanted
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 342
Likes: 2
From: Naperville, IL
Rust Opinions Wanted
Hi all
I love the forum help, so I would like some opinions. Now, knowing what they say about opinons :-), I want you to know that this vette is everything I wantn in a C3....color, interior, options, etc. It's a 68 (my birth year.....yeah I know it has issues, but hey, what can I do, that's when I was born!) 4 spd, air, power everything. Everything else seems in great shape cosmetically.
I am concerned about this rust though. I am not a body expert, so I am attaching a couple of good shots of the frame, and am looking for people in the know to tell me if this seems more than surface rust or easily dealt with rust vs. needing a new frame!
Thanks all!
I love the forum help, so I would like some opinions. Now, knowing what they say about opinons :-), I want you to know that this vette is everything I wantn in a C3....color, interior, options, etc. It's a 68 (my birth year.....yeah I know it has issues, but hey, what can I do, that's when I was born!) 4 spd, air, power everything. Everything else seems in great shape cosmetically.
I am concerned about this rust though. I am not a body expert, so I am attaching a couple of good shots of the frame, and am looking for people in the know to tell me if this seems more than surface rust or easily dealt with rust vs. needing a new frame!
Thanks all!
Last edited by ZR1Owner; Nov 14, 2006 at 12:37 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 5,135
Likes: 71
From: Umeå Sweden
well its alot of surface rust on that one,just in front of the back wheels are the place they rust mostly,looks to be solid there on the pics but its hard to see with the surface rust,bring a screwdriver and feel that area and see if you got some holes.I would also look at the birdcage and see if it has some damage
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
A closer picture of the differential crossmember would be good. The rust doesn't look too bad, although you can see a piece of scale sticking out one of the holes in one of the pics. Feel around inside the frame wherever you can fit your finger in to judge how much scale has built up inside the frame. More scale means less metal remaining. Also take a hammer and tap the side rails and especially the differential crossmember. You don't have to hit it that hard to feel soft areas. If you don't hear a metallic ring when you hit the frame it means the metal is about to fall apart.
My crossmember had a couple of holes when I bought the car but when I started hammering on the frame I found several other large rust-outs hiding under the surface rust as well as a lot of very thick scale on the inside of the crossmember.
Rick B.
My crossmember had a couple of holes when I bought the car but when I started hammering on the frame I found several other large rust-outs hiding under the surface rust as well as a lot of very thick scale on the inside of the crossmember.
Rick B.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,438
Likes: 3
From: Florissant MO
You are going to be replacing that power steering cylinder very quickly. Looks to me like it is leaking PS fluid. Probably also the power steering hoses. I didn't do it myself because I was in a hurry to get mine inspected and on the road, it cost me $500.00 and change to do the cylinder and hoses.
NCM Grand Opening Veteran
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20,979
Likes: 384
From: South of giving a damn
St. Jude Donor '11, '17
I'll agree with everyone else. From the photos it doesn't look bad at all. If it's a good price I'd go for it. Make a good winter project for those cold days. I'd replace the steering completely with either a jeep box or rack.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 342
Likes: 2
From: Naperville, IL
Thanks all. I do plan on treating the rust I can reach, dismantle parts, etc. I worry about the inside of the frame areas not easily reached absent a frame off, dip and poweder coat! Looking to make it maybe 2-3 years before I need to do that so I can save the money!
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
Originally Posted by onaqwst
long screwdriver/crawler or lift..... and start poking.......
b
b
Start by poking right in front of the rear tire. Looks like some holes starting there. Don't be shy poking either. A solid frame will take a good poke. If it is soft at all they do sell frame repair sections.