should I pull body
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 336
Likes: 29
From: Il.
should I pull body
Hi, new to this forum,I;m getting my 77 vette tomorrow .I've looked at the frame and it's rusty ,not bad or thru no holes.I've done two restores on 50s Chevy trucks both frame off.Do you guys think it would be worth the work and time to pull the body off and get the frame blasted and than I'll paint it.Never owned a vette before and would like some input.
Thanks,Pete
Thanks,Pete
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,866
Likes: 140
From: Sadieville Kentucky
Hi, new to this forum,I;m getting my 77 vette tomorrow .I've looked at the frame and it's rusty ,not bad or thru no holes.I've done two restores on 50s Chevy trucks both frame off.Do you guys think it would be worth the work and time to pull the body off and get the frame blasted and than I'll paint it.Never owned a vette before and would like some input.
Thanks,Pete
Thanks,Pete
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 778
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
Pete the correct answer to your question starts with what do you want out of the car, if you buy play a while and flip then likely your best route is to just be sure it's safe and fix what you can with body on,
In my case I have owned a lot of vettes and this current 69 I have I wanted to be my last big project and is something I have wanted a long time I desire it to be a really sound daily driver type car in that a frame off was the only way to get everything as good or better than the factory did in 69, (no purist here )
My car had rust issues that even up on a lift some could not be seen.
So you really need to decide what you want out of the car, one thing for sure even doing it yourself the time and money to restore it will only be returned in the fun you have with it....
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 414
From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
There are other places that are prone to rust besides the frame . Check the bird cage ,windshield frame , and kick panels under the plastic foot panels where the body mount is. If it is starting to rust in those areas you want to address those areas right away.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 414
From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
Wes, the cat said he has done two frame offs so no biggie for him, he is savvy,
Pete the correct answer to your question starts with what do you want out of the car, if you buy play a while and flip then likely your best route is to just be sure it's safe and fix what you can with body on,
In my case I have owned a lot of vettes and this current 69 I have I wanted to be my last big project and is something I have wanted a long time I desire it to be a really sound daily driver type car in that a frame off was the only way to get everything as good or better than the factory did in 69, (no purist here )
My car had rust issues that even up on a lift some could not be seen.
So you really need to decide what you want out of the car, one thing for sure even doing it yourself the time and money to restore it will only be returned in the fun you have with it....
Pete the correct answer to your question starts with what do you want out of the car, if you buy play a while and flip then likely your best route is to just be sure it's safe and fix what you can with body on,
In my case I have owned a lot of vettes and this current 69 I have I wanted to be my last big project and is something I have wanted a long time I desire it to be a really sound daily driver type car in that a frame off was the only way to get everything as good or better than the factory did in 69, (no purist here )
My car had rust issues that even up on a lift some could not be seen.
So you really need to decide what you want out of the car, one thing for sure even doing it yourself the time and money to restore it will only be returned in the fun you have with it....
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,866
Likes: 140
From: Sadieville Kentucky
Hey Bats I agree that he sounds savvy when it comes to doing a body off but as you will probably agree most everything that you do on these corvettes is not easy just because of the design of these particular cars . It's probably a good idea that someone at least warned him what he is getting into.
wes
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 778
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
Hey Bats I agree that he sounds savvy when it comes to doing a body off but as you will probably agree most everything that you do on these corvettes is not easy just because of the design of these particular cars . It's probably a good idea that someone at least warned him what he is getting into.
Nope, not saying that wes said it that way or intended it the way I took it but I can see the mullets using that as the door to trash the idea, car etc.
A lot of cats here love to make things far more epic than they really are I guess to try to make themselves look cooler and more savvy
Perhaps I am letting all the negative remarks in other threads get to me too much.
Last edited by The13Bats; Jun 15, 2016 at 11:17 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,623
Likes: 22
From: Boise Idaho
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '15, '17
In case you are not familiar with C3s this sticky shows other possible areas of rust that bj1k mentions
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-corvette.html
Best of luck with your new car!
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-corvette.html
Best of luck with your new car!
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Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Do your homework on what a frame off involves before you make your decision.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 336
Likes: 29
From: Il.
The inspection day
Thanks for the options I will spend the day jacking up the car and putting it on stands than I'll start with a pad of paper writing down every thing I see that needs to be fixed.I'll take the seats out later and get the carpet out to look at the floors.I know that we never make our money back on these projects.I always wanted a C3 and it'll be fun working on it and than driving her.
Pete
Pete
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
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From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
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Hey Pete. Welcome aboard. This place is a wealth of knowledge but beware the know it alls. Good luck in your adventure and post pics often. There are some keen eyes here that can help pick up on little problems you may not notice.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 414
From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
That is exactly what I was referring to. Most vehicles have body bolts that are easy to get to but because of the design of the corvette and the fact that the corvette body bolts anchor into nuts that are in flimsy cages , the bolts just spin in the cages. That alone has been a major problem for the inexperienced and has been talked about right here on the forum.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 336
Likes: 29
From: Il.
Good and Bad news
After getting my 77 off the truck today I started going thru it ,good news body has no cracks or damage and every thing works wipers all the electrics. Bad news is all the suspension bushings need to be replaced and there are no brakes.What bushing kit would be the best?
Brake parts I can get thru the FLAPS I use.
After changing the oil and filter I started the engine that L82 sounded bad a**.
Pete
Brake parts I can get thru the FLAPS I use.
After changing the oil and filter I started the engine that L82 sounded bad a**.
Pete
Racer
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 494
Likes: 93
From: Bucks County PA
Welcome. Sounds like a nice project. Sounds like you should be able to tackle a "frame off" if needed. I agree with some of the others - Get it up in the air, get yourself "under there" and check out the common rust areas, give her a good "once over" and then go from there. Maybe get a Summer or 2 of cruising in before taking it to the next level (if needed).
I'm doing a '76 L-82 / 4-Speed right now.
I'm doing a '76 L-82 / 4-Speed right now.
Last edited by 76C3forme; Jun 17, 2016 at 10:10 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 336
Likes: 29
From: Il.
What bushing kit is best
I got to change all the bushings on the front to back anyone think one is better than other set.
Took the interior out today floors have surface rust but don't have any rust thru.Not what I'm used to the trucks I work on always need new floor sections.
Pete
Took the interior out today floors have surface rust but don't have any rust thru.Not what I'm used to the trucks I work on always need new floor sections.
Pete
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 8,507
Likes: 501
From: Bussey, IA
Welcome. Sounds like a nice project. Sounds like you should be able to tackle a "frame off" if needed. I agree with some of the others - Get it up in the air, get yourself "under there" and check out the common rust areas, give her a good "once over" and then go from there. Maybe get a Summer or 2 of cruising in before taking it to the next level (if needed).
I'm doing a '76 L-82 / 4-Speed right now.
I'm doing a '76 L-82 / 4-Speed right now.
Enjoy it for a while. Make it safe and drive it. A frame off is a long term project and you will find the "while l'm here" bug bites hard n often. Do the basic of what needs done, enjoy it and then if you really enjoy it and feel the need for it, take it to the frame and build it up right and the way you want!
I have done two frame offs on different pick ups, a 53 and a 72, and the Vette is a totally different critter. But basic mechanics are basic mechanics, and the forum is a great wealth of information, so there isn't anything you can't get through. Good luck post some pictures (gotta feed us picture bears!) and keep us posted on how it goes for you! 
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 336
Likes: 29
From: Il.
I think thats what I'm going to do,sand down the body,paint original color, work on the brakes and paint the floor put in new carpet and do the bushings new tires and drive it for the summer.
Pete
Pete
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
I agree. Drive it the rest of the summer and get to know the car you have.
It's good to have and idea of what you want to do and which direction you want to go, but the items on your list can wait for the time being.
Last edited by Easy Mike; Jun 18, 2016 at 08:27 AM.