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Folks, I would like to solicit input from this esteemed group of experts regarding some of my birdcage on my '73. First time in 2 years really going beyond the easy 'remove a kick panel' step - and first time to have a decent cell phone to take a picture. Redoing the carpet/vinyl dye/seat re-covers this week/end, so it's mostly disassembled... leading to a good time to dig for rust!
Also, after digging through Chilton, Haynes, and the assembly guide, anything of note to be careful with for removing the shifter-console? I want to put some reflectix under it.
Lastly, I've got one package of 10 sheets of hush-mat (48 sq feet i think) What areas would most benefit from use of this, rather than just rubberized undercoat, and the Wilcox supplied carpet and sound / head deaden-er kits?
drivers side, after lightly brushing some loose bits off - hard to reach that inside corner.
Same, drivers side - different angle.
Looking 'up' from the bottom of the kick panel, inside the cage. Looks like just surface rust.
I plan to add some more pictures once I get the chrome flashing off from the windshield. Any other areas easy to get to with carpet and jute and all the vinyl moldings out?
JMPO I think its a good idea to check the birdcage across the top from the windshield to the body for rust from condensation as well. I have seen a birdcage that looked good in the kick panel area but was full of rust in the top.
Your in great shape, Mine was Much worse. I had to fab new #2 pockets, install new rocker channels and fab a windshield lower corner. For yours I would pull the bolts, clean it up and paint with one of the rust encapsulation paints, good to go
I think the amount of rust behind the kick panels is minimal and nothing to be concerned about. A good indicator of windshield frame rust is the presence of rust flakes that fall into the kick panel pockets and accumulate around the body mounts shown in your pictures. A few flakes is not a big deal, but if the body mount bolts are covered with rust flakes, that is indicative of significant windshield frame rust.
It will be interesting to see what's going on up there anyway.
Indeed, it would be - I got all the screws out on the roof/T-panel chrome flashing, only to figure out there's a 'healthy measure' of RTV holding it in place. I'm hesitant to try and pry it since I really don't want to bend the chrome. This exploratory measure might have to wait until I get back from my move. I'm going to sleep on it tonight and reconsider in the AM.
In the meantime, I steel-brushed the surface rust (very light) off the wind-shield frame (the portion on the interior of the driving compartment near the rear-view mirror) and sprayed some rust treatment there, in the kick panels, and around the lower shifter boot surround. Plenty more parts to order/find to include that lower shifter boot - it had a mouse sized hole in it. . . .
I had one that looked the same at the body mount. I thought all was well until I pulled the body. The cage was rusted through but not visible with the bolts in place. I think it's pretty rare but it does happen.
JMPO I think its a good idea to check the birdcage across the top from the windshield to the body for rust from condensation as well. I have seen a birdcage that looked good in the kick panel area but was full of rust in the top.
This is what we found in our 71 coupe. Top of windshield frame was bad. We replaced the upper corners, and patched a few spots in between. A couple small holes in the lower corners also. Farther down below all was great!
This is what we found in our 71 coupe. Top of windshield frame was bad. We replaced the upper corners, and patched a few spots in between. A couple small holes in the lower corners also. Farther down below all was great!
The #2 mount area on my 70 looked like this.
After cleaning up and applying primer...
But the windshield header looked like this ...
I replaced the top corners and header bar with parts from a clean donor, factory parts. Lower corners and pillars were okay.
Your #2 mount area looks good but isn't a guarantee of no significant rust in the header area where rust generally starts. Best to have a look, yours may be fine.
Bird Cage rust assessment?
