so i just bit off way more than i care to chew on a '73 i just got.. the 48 inch piece of frame under each door is rusted to pieces. so i need to find some replacement rails... corvette america and zip has them, but both will take around 2 weeks to get.. are there any other suppliers?

 

What kind of shape is the differential crossmember in? If the side rails are that bad the diff crossmember might be shot also. For suppliers, an Internet search might yield someone other than Zip's but Zip is reliable and usually has very good prices.



Rick B.

 

Depending on the severity, maybe you should look at a frame swap. You can usually find one for about $500. Got any pics?

 

no, pics yet.. most would say it needs a frame, but i'm going to do my best not to go that route, becuase it's a major pita, and i doubt i find one local, and i don't have the money to chase one across country.. diff crossmember is not happy either, but it can be delt with fairly easy with plate steel, even though it won't be astheticly pleasing

 

You should really step back and look at everything at this point. The condition of the frame from ft. to rear and birdcage problems.

I had bad rust issues on all of the above and I ended up buying a 74 with a good frame and birdcae pieces to repair mine.

If you dont remove the bad pieces and treat the rest of the rusted steel it will come back and may be a safety hazzard also. You also need to consider what repairs will do to the resale value, the quality of the repair will have a large bearing on the vale of the car.

You can look at my pics. and they have a few pics of the repair on my car and if you need to see any more just ask. I have some posted on photo bucket.

 

Try this link and use password for the password.

http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/wills670/

 

I don't think you will find a 73 frame in good condition for $500 these days. I paid $1,500 for a great condition 73 frame 3 years ago and I think the price was fair although not a bargain at the time. Chrome bumper frames are getting more scarce all the time so I'm estimating you would have to pay $2,500+ for a good used frame.



Rick B.

 

i'm building the car for myself, i don't care about resale value. secondly, it's an l48 car, it's not like it's a gold mine to start with..


thanks for the pics willis!

 

I think Wilcox has them too.

 

I have a 75 frame for sale in c-3 parts that would fit your 73 with minor mods. It is spotless clean and solid with por-15 coating, it looks brand new. I know you can fix anything, but you might want to think about what you are getting ready to do before you start cutting and welding. If the frame rails are that rusty I would not trust the rest of the frame to be roadworthy. If you cannot afford a frame at the moment, it would save you a lot of grief to buy one when you can. I am not really trying to tell you what to do, but trying to save you some grief, because I have been down the same road before. Whatever you decide, good luck.

 

I see you're 22 years old. Heck you have many years in front of you to do this 73 right. I gather if you're going for welding on rails and plates on the rear cross member you're not taking the body off. You won't be able to weld the top of the frame rails with the body on. Hit a couple bumps in the road and your welds on the sides might start to crack. Then where will you be? You'll be kicking yourself with, man I should have put a new frame under this car.

You have the oppertunity here to make this car 1 fine car in the end. Yes, you are right, most people will say get a good used frame. And it really does have to start there.

The frame may look good on the outside in areas, but what about the inside where you can't see.

Maybe regroup and look at this as a long term project that will take a couple years. Start with that new frame, switch the suspension and what not after you clean and paint everything. And add some new parts too. Leave the L-48 in the corner of the garage and find a 454. Heck, find a Suburban or something for really cheap for the engine, throw the rest of the truck away or sell parts from it on ebay.

You didn't bite off more than you can chew. You bought a project car. Think of it as 1 day it'll be a fine car. You're 22 years old, you have the time in front of you. You have the time to shop around for the best prices on stuff you'll need.