C3 Hinge Piller, Windshield Frame Problem
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
C3 Hinge Piller, Windshield Frame Problem
Approx. 2 months ago, I purchased a '76 Stingray from the original owner in MI. The car has 41,000 original miles on it. It's has an L-48 auto trans set-up. The owner claimed tha car was not started for 15 yrs. After changing 4 spark plugs, the engine fired and runs strong. Now, here is my problem: The drivers side hinge piller is split above the upper hinge and just below the windshield pillar. It appears that car has a water leak, the area corroded putting stress on the area causing the problem. Zip Corvette has replacement windshield header/pillar parts, so rot in this area must be common. Does anyone have experience with replacing, patching, welding or repairing the hinge pillar. If I can solve the hinge pillar problem and replace the windshield frame, this car has the potential to be a winner. Hey, the car was cheap and quick estimates using data from the Corvette Action Center indicate this car was 1 of approx. 185 identically equipped Vettes made in 1976. I look forward to your responses.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,438
Likes: 2
From: Melrose Florida
Big job, requiring advanced welding skills and specific corvette knowledge. Also, likely to be more rust at the frame mounts at the base of the birdcage.
Many people would question whether any '76 would be worth the cost/hassle of the repair.
Steve
Many people would question whether any '76 would be worth the cost/hassle of the repair.
Steve
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
Yea thats gonna suck a Lot. Do a search in here, there are a bunch of bird cage repair threads and WS frame repair threads. Basically it means body off work. I am past the industrial level on mine and have the body back on, but its been a huge amount of work and I have added about $1500 in tools to my collection in the process. Do some research, take some pics and repost once you get some idea of what your looking at. We might be able to help
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,196
Likes: 47
From: Scarborough Maine Fredericksburg VA
You are right in saying rot is common in this area. You may be the very rare case that only has rot in that one area but if it is as advanced as you say that would be a very rare case.
I am just finising up doing mine and once we got into it the body came off and the front end had to be pulled with fiberglass cut. That part of the work was probably around $2k but that is hard to judge as once you are in then you become part of the famous "while I am this far I might as wel..." I now have over $10k into my "windshield fix". Granted this may be an extreme but I am way over what the car is worth and I have a 72 bumper car.
The only reason I did it was that I have owned the car for over 20 years and will be giving to my son when it is done.
Big question for you would be - can you just drive it as is or do a bubba fix and enjoy it for a few years? Or does the car mean enough to you (or you bought it for next to nothing) to go through the enjoyment of this kinda work - it really can be fun, expensive but fun.
I am just finising up doing mine and once we got into it the body came off and the front end had to be pulled with fiberglass cut. That part of the work was probably around $2k but that is hard to judge as once you are in then you become part of the famous "while I am this far I might as wel..." I now have over $10k into my "windshield fix". Granted this may be an extreme but I am way over what the car is worth and I have a 72 bumper car.
The only reason I did it was that I have owned the car for over 20 years and will be giving to my son when it is done.
Big question for you would be - can you just drive it as is or do a bubba fix and enjoy it for a few years? Or does the car mean enough to you (or you bought it for next to nothing) to go through the enjoyment of this kinda work - it really can be fun, expensive but fun.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
