Wow, little or a lot, rust is never fun!

 

My bird frame was a total crock of **** and I repaired it in 1 week. Unless you're going for some wild NCRS build it's not a big deal. I am located in NJ if you need any help

 

Real nice job and a big difference.
r

 

Wow, that is awesome offer! I wish I closer, but live in Illinois. You did a great job!

 

Not going to hijack but, Condo, is it alright if I reach out to you, if needed? I need a #2 mount fix on both sides and could use advice if I get stuck

OP - from what I've researched. If you have the time and willingness, it's not too bad. If you'd like, I have a bunch of links bookmarked that I can send.

 

Do you have links for bird cage or frame repair? If you have links on frame repair I would love to see them. Thanks!

 

When I purchased my 69 it had frame rust in the upkick areas so I performed some surgery after purchasing some frame pieces from Zip!
r




















Had to add new gussets also. Just wanted to show off!

 

This is a pretty good link for frames (although it's body off):
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...k-up-rust.html

There is a place called Collier Technologies (mentioned in that thread http://www.colliertechnologies.com/main.html) that sells new frames. Zip has replacement frame components. The person who previously owned my car had rear kick-up rot. His friend owned a metal shop and the two of them replaced it in a weekend. However, I've now found some other areas around the body mounts that need to be replaced (similar to Condo).

Also, since I have a #2 mount replacement (which you may want to consider based on the picture you posted), I'm going to use the process outlined here:
http://www.digitalcorvettes.com/foru...d.php?t=119140

That has a pretty good how-to on how to raise your body a few inches off the frame to complete the repairs. That thread is focused on body mounts but you could access the frame at the same time I'd imagine.

 

If your 77 was parked on wet grass regularly or stored in a garage where the floor sweats a lot you could have a lot of frame rust but not nearly as much corrosion damage elsewhere.

Looks to me like Kirk is trapped between dimensions again. He'll never learn.

 

Thanks for the comments guys

Absolutely. I'm always available to help fellow CF guys however I can.

Also, I own Inked Muscle Garage in Linden and I have both of my c3's here along with some other nice classics. Feel free to drop by if you want to take a look.

 

FYI,

This place sells new frames as well. I think they're built from the same tooling used for the originals.

http://www.vetteproducts.net/

I think at least one other on this site has bought a few from them.

The frame is the backbone of your Corvette. Best to get any issues taken care of before moving on to other repairs or improvements.

 

^ I disagree. It depends what's wrong. I had a hole in front of my right rear wheel and it was never a big deal. It was always a "when I have the body off" type of thing. I would rather make sure my car runs/drives as it should than pull the body off for something small like that. Especially if you know you are going the new frame route. Just wait until you can pull the body off

 

Rust is the thing that I am jaded over it's my kryptonite, my achilles heel if you will,
It can ruin a beautiful looking c3.
I knew I had basic surface rust on my 69, I knew from the way the mount for the front fender tops had scale peaking it had some rust.
When I busted that rear strut that had zero to due with rust it made me crawl in and find a hole in the rear kick up pass side.
Tina my wife is a wise lady and wanted new and while I said it could be repaired the best bang for my buck being I modify and don't care about stock, was to get a rebuilt donor frame,
I looked at the costly tube frames cool chest thumping bragging rights but beyond my pay rate.
I found a rebuilt as in like new with the vette brakes transverse stuff roller chassis,
It wasn't until body was off was some worse problems found.
Number 2 pass side hole rotted out bigger and 1/2 dollar size hole near it, that was all welded up,
BUT number 3 pass side, when the tech went to unbolt it and knock the mount out it basically fell apart, I got lucky Mr Wilcox got me a new Bird cage # 3 that was welded in, lucky again that the rot didn't go all the way down the bird cage rails.
All exposed birdcage rails were treated with a rust killer paint.
So this has cost about 3 years or more down time with my 69...

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...m-project.html

^^^ pictures

 

Very nice job!

 

Thanks very much!

 

I don't know much about the history. My dad purchased from someone in his town, but didn't get much info. The sad part is I think my dad had already started to have Alzheimer's symptoms and missed checking for rust. He was a machine mechanic in his younger years and would have checked out the mechanicals much better. I believe it was garaged as it came with a nice car cover in very good condition.

You are right about Kirk.

 

Thanks, it is always good to have options.

 

I need to look at just how extensive it is, but this makes sense to me. I am going to pull more panles off and see what I find.

 

I sure hope I don't have rust like that. I will also have to look into the cost for a replacement frame. I have been involved in a frame off with my brother's '71 Chevelle, and while it turned out beautifully I am not sure I can make the time/money/space commitment. His took 3 years, but it is a show car.

 

Looks like you have evidence of rust in the windshield frame of your bird cage on both sides. More on the right and it looks like part of the frame closest to the windshield is ate up pretty badly. That's where the water gets in and follows the channel down to your number 2 body mounts. How is the area around the trim tag and the same area on the passenger side? It's another area to look at for signs of rust in the bird cage. Before I found my 77, I looked at a lot of cars that had issues just like yours and passed them up. Hopefully, you can save yours and it won't cost you that much money.