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Hey Jim my car looked great until I started removing things. I had a real surprise when I removed the T top trim and windshield trim. It was a mess but I had no choice but to fix it all and move on.
r
^ 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
I think it depends on how far the owner plans to go with this car. If he's up for a possible frame replacement and birdcage repair, then delaying the repairs is really a matter of safety. If the frame hasn't degraded to the point where it's dangerous, sure, he could delay the repair. It comes down to how much is the owner willing to pour into this car. I'd think knowing ASAP what large repair expenses may be lurking would be good to know. Can the frame be thoroughly inspected without removing the body?
A local Corvette shop told me a story of one poor fellow who had body work and a repaint done to his Corvette before finding out the car was severely rusted. It was my understanding this fellow didn't have the resources to repair the car. Bummer. I'd say it's best to know what you're up for sooner than later, before getting in so deep it's hard to back out.
Thanks for all the info and comments. Below are some more pictures I took, but now I can't get the screw back in the passenger side kick panel. The screw goes in fine without the panel in place. Perhaps that is why there is no screw on the drivers side.
Some of the stuff that looks like rust I think is adhesive and padding material.
Thanks for all the info and comments. Below are some more pictures I took, but now I can't get the screw back in the passenger side kick panel. The screw goes in fine without the panel in place. Perhaps that is why there is no screw on the drivers side.
Some of the stuff that looks like rust I think is adhesive and padding material.
Passenger side
Only picture today from drivers side.
Yeah, they can be frustrating to get back in. I've used an awl to locate the hole, center the hole in the kick panel over the hole in the body. helped when reinstalling that screw.
Yeah, they can be frustrating to get back in. I've used an awl to locate the hole, center the hole in the kick panel over the hole in the body. helped when reinstalling that screw.
Perfect! Only took a couple of minutes that way. I was too high from the actual screw location.
Hey Jim my car looked great until I started removing things. I had a real surprise when I removed the T top trim and windshield trim. It was a mess but I had no choice but to fix it all and move on.
r
Jim, my car had more rust in the body mounts than yours did.
A wire wheel is going to be your friend. I went hard at the body mount areas and cleaned them up. Painted them with a rust paint and drowned them in oil. Same as the bird cage. Mine was similar. I wire wheeled all the surface rust off, coated them with rust paint and shot rust oil spray down any hole I could find.
Obviously the best way to fix this is a frame off. But I want to enjoy my car as I work on it. Maybe down the road...10 years or so, I may take the body off. But for now I will work on the mechanical issues.
Get your mechanics opinion but don't give up. A lot of elbow grease and a wire wheel will make the car look good.
It sounds like you are still young. You will have many decades to enjoy the car and learn everything about it...from the ground up.
Jim, my car had more rust in the body mounts than yours did.
A wire wheel is going to be your friend. I went hard at the body mount areas and cleaned them up. Painted them with a rust paint and drowned them in oil. Same as the bird cage. Mine was similar. I wire wheeled all the surface rust off, coated them with rust paint and shot rust oil spray down any hole I could find.
Obviously the best way to fix this is a frame off. But I want to enjoy my car as I work on it. Maybe down the road...10 years or so, I may take the body off. But for now I will work on the mechanical issues.
Get your mechanics opinion but don't give up. A lot of elbow grease and a wire wheel will make the car look good.
It sounds like you are still young. You will have many decades to enjoy the car and learn everything about it...from the ground up.
Ken
Ken,
Currently the biggest issue appears to be the kickup area of the frame on both sides. Thanks for the tips on cleaning things up.
I think if I don't find major rust in other parts of the frame I may have those repaired and then lift the body 1 side at a time to replace the body bushings and inspect for any hidden frame rust. If I find a number of bad sections there may be no other option other than a frame off.
I am not that young, but hope to enjoy the car into retirement and hope I could even give it to one of my nephews down the road.
Overall the car isn't in too bad shape, although I plan to redo the brakes and at some time rebuild the front and rear suspensions. Sometimes working on the car is a PIA and other times I really enjoy it. I would love to put a crate motor in it at some time, but other than needing a rear main seal it works fine.
Ha, that made me laugh, I need a rear main seal also.
My differential is leaking too on the right side. sooooo, gonna get some 373 gears and have it rebuilt...then a 200r4 tranny (replace the rear main seal then) once I save up enough money for each section.
Engine will be last.
In the mean time, I am adding some bling to the engine compartment. Buying polished aluminum parts now, instead of adding that to the expense when I do pull the engine apart.
I just turned 52 and my car just turned 41 this month....so I assume you are younger than me....even though I tell everyone I just turned 29 again.
Ha, that made me laugh, I need a rear main seal also.
My differential is leaking too on the right side. sooooo, gonna get some 373 gears and have it rebuilt...then a 200r4 tranny (replace the rear main seal then) once I save up enough money for each section.
Engine will be last.
In the mean time, I am adding some bling to the engine compartment. Buying polished aluminum parts now, instead of adding that to the expense when I do pull the engine apart.
I just turned 52 and my car just turned 41 this month....so I assume you are younger than me....even though I tell everyone I just turned 29 again.
I have the rear main seal and pan gasket and just need to make the time to get it done.
Some day I may do the tranny/rear gears as the 3.08 is pretty limiting especially behing the TH-350.
Not sure when I might get to the engine. It runs OK, but the only performance upgrade has been a true dual exhaust with no cat.
I will be turning 54 soon, so no, I am actually older than you are.
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
Wow! Beautiful job! Wish you lived in the Las Vegas area, would love to bring my car by for you to take a look at.
rust
