how bad is this? (birdcage rust)
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,094
Likes: 0
From: NYC - HK
how bad is this? (birdcage rust)
hey folks. Kinda new to the forum here and haven't introduced myself yet. My name is Victor and im 16. We got an '81 around 2 or 3 years ago as a gift from my dad's friend. We are planning on fixing her up this summer. The car is currently blue with a silver interior and my dad's thinking about painting it white and putting in a red interior. I'm 100% against it and want to keep it original, anything i can say to convince him on keeping it original? There's so much info on this forum i don't even have any questions yet. 
First problem I have is the birdcage, and im not sure how bad it is. Sorry about the crappy pics. Any input is greatly appreciated! Thanks to all. 
kick panels (driver's side)
kick panels (passenger's side) - looks pretty bad imo.
First problem I have is the birdcage, and im not sure how bad it is. Sorry about the crappy pics. Any input is greatly appreciated! Thanks to all. kick panels (driver's side)
kick panels (passenger's side) - looks pretty bad imo.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 547
Likes: 13
From: Carlstadt NJ
It's hard to tell form the pics, but, it don't look too bad. Clean it up and you will be able to see more damage (or not), than post more pics. As far as the rebuild, I'm a nut for keeping things original. But if you decide the other, don't throw the orginal parts out. Save them!
Danny
Danny
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,352
Likes: 1
From: Westminster Maryland
I have seen much worse that was fixable. Most of the rust in the upper portions looks to be light surface rust. The body mount seems rough on the right side, but that is an easy replacement. The kick on the left looks like it might need some cut/weld work, but it is in a relatively easy place to get to. Better pics would help, but look into some archived threads and see what has been repaired. Road race vette fixed a hack job that showed how to do it right. The color option will be debated for eternity. Keep it/sell it; original/not- it is your car, do what you want. As an investment, paint it original.
BTW- Welcome to the nuthouse, it is great to see the next generation falling in love with the coolest car ever made!
BTW- Welcome to the nuthouse, it is great to see the next generation falling in love with the coolest car ever made!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,247
Likes: 471
From: Glen Allen, VA
First of all, kudos on doing you research and knowing where to look for rust. As far as how bad it is, I'll have to defer to the experts on this one, I was lucky with mine in that is doesn't have any rust. Congrats on a cool car though, and have fun with it.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 267
From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
the Damage is not enough to stop me from taking on a project Car,
I was planning to tear down and restore.
(you might have to think a bit, if you planning on buying and driving)
use the photos for bargining power to lower the price a bit.
good luck, 69VETT
I was planning to tear down and restore.
(you might have to think a bit, if you planning on buying and driving)
use the photos for bargining power to lower the price a bit.
good luck, 69VETT
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,654
Likes: 0
From: Chandler Arizona
St. Jude Donor '08
The pass side #2 mount looks pretty bad but is certainly repairable. Vacuum out that rust and see how much damage there is. You might try taking a pick to it to see how soft what is left is, and then you can determine if you need further surgery there.
How are the mounts in front of the rear wheels (behind the inspection plates)?
The top of the windshield frame may need some attention as well. Hard to tell from your pic.
Also, do you have any feel for how solid the rocker channels are?
Welcome and good luck on your project - can't beat free!!!
How are the mounts in front of the rear wheels (behind the inspection plates)?
The top of the windshield frame may need some attention as well. Hard to tell from your pic.
Also, do you have any feel for how solid the rocker channels are?
Welcome and good luck on your project - can't beat free!!!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,094
Likes: 0
From: NYC - HK
gonna post pics of kick panels again after i vacuum it tomorrow. Looked at the mounts in front of the rear wheels last week not sure if they need attention, don't know what is bad or good. I'll try to get pics of that tomorrow too. I have no idea what the rocker channels are, so if you can explain that, that would be great. Thank you all for taking your time helping me out so far
Thank you all for taking your time helping me out so far
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Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,654
Likes: 0
From: Chandler Arizona
St. Jude Donor '08
gonna post pics of kick panels again after i vacuum it tomorrow. Looked at the mounts in front of the rear wheels last week not sure if they need attention, don't know what is bad or good. I'll try to get pics of that tomorrow too. I have no idea what the rocker channels are, so if you can explain that, that would be great. Thank you all for taking your time helping me out so far
Thank you all for taking your time helping me out so far Get a good look at the frame as well - especially around the kickups in front of the rear wheels (near #3 mount) and in the area where the #2 (kick panel) body mounts are. The condition of these areas will help you determine if you need to pull the body off to properly repair them. Many of us have had to do this. I'm not trying to scare you - but you need to be sure you know what you are dealing with up front.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 289
Likes: 0
From: Spokane WA
The rocker channels are the sections of channel that run unser the door sill and connect the front and rear pillars of the birdcage. If you pull the sill plates, you will be able to see some of the metal around where that hardware goes into the rocker channels. You will be able to see some from under the car looking up at the outer frame rails below the doors. A good portion of this section of cage is sandwiched between the frame rail and the body.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
I just went thru this on my car. That #2 mount may not look all that bad, but under that rubber bushing it will be completely cancered out. It will require replacing the #2 mount Pocket and possibly the rocker channels. Ihe WS frame has some issues but if its not completely gone its fixable.
Like posted above, use the pice to get the price down. IF you are up for a Full On Resto ( its a lotta fukin work) then cool. If oyu want one to drive, pass on it and move on.
Like posted above, use the pice to get the price down. IF you are up for a Full On Resto ( its a lotta fukin work) then cool. If oyu want one to drive, pass on it and move on.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,094
Likes: 0
From: NYC - HK
hey guys, finally been sunny so i got to take a few more pics of the cancer. Heres some pics of the kick panels after i vacuumed all the rust out that i could. Also took pics of what i believe are the rocker channels, but only have the passenger side since i couldnt get the screws off the drivers, and what i believe are the mounts in front of the rear wheels. How bad? 
kick panel Drivers
kick panel passengers
what i believe is the rocker channel?
Mount behind wheel (drivers)
Mount behind wheel (passengers)
Heres pics of the engine, has anything been "bubba'd"?
Thanks for the help so far,
- Victor
kick panel Drivers
kick panel passengers
what i believe is the rocker channel?
Mount behind wheel (drivers)
Mount behind wheel (passengers)
Heres pics of the engine, has anything been "bubba'd"?
Thanks for the help so far,
- Victor
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,654
Likes: 0
From: Chandler Arizona
St. Jude Donor '08
Great pics.
- It Looks like the #4 mount on the driver's side will need to be replaced.
- I also suspect that the rust in the pockets (#2 mounts) may need to be addressed.
- The rockers are underneath the fiberglass area that you exposed.
- You should also see how the #3 mounts look - behind the inspection plates in front of the rear wheels. This is in the kick-up area of the frame, which you should also inspect.
- It Looks like the #4 mount on the driver's side will need to be replaced.
- I also suspect that the rust in the pockets (#2 mounts) may need to be addressed.
- The rockers are underneath the fiberglass area that you exposed.
- You should also see how the #3 mounts look - behind the inspection plates in front of the rear wheels. This is in the kick-up area of the frame, which you should also inspect.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,094
Likes: 0
From: NYC - HK
thanks for all the quick responses chevy69! For the rocker channels, do i take a look beneath the car and take pictures from there or ? For the #3 mounts do i look under the car too?
For the rocker channels, do i take a look beneath the car and take pictures from there or ? For the #3 mounts do i look under the car too?
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,654
Likes: 0
From: Chandler Arizona
St. Jude Donor '08
The #3 mounts are behind the inspection plates in the rear wheel well. They are in front of both of the rear wheels, best to remove the wheel to see in there and use a flashlight.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 289
Likes: 0
From: Spokane WA
The rocker channels are actually sandwiched between the fiberglass section that you exposed and the frame rail. You can poke at the exposed metal around the mounting holes for the door sill that you pulled out. From underneath you won't be able to see much but get under there with a good light. The #3 mounts can be seen if you look inside the rear wheel wells at the front side of the wheel well. there is a plate that is bolted over the opening for the mount. Pull the plate to see how those mounts look. I would agree with the accessment that one of the #4 mounts needs to be addressed and probably both of the #2 mounts.
Last edited by tmacb; Jul 28, 2008 at 07:07 PM. Reason: spelling