Body Mount #2 Rusted. HELP!!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 164
Likes: 14
Body Mount #2 Rusted. HELP!!
So as some of you may know from my previous posts, my 72 has pretty extensive birdcage rust & I'm attempting a frame off resto. I've managed to do everything necessary in the steps to take the body off the frame, except this last body mount bolt. Removed all 7 others somewhat easily, including the passenger side mount #2 bolt. My driver side #2 bolt is rusted so bad that I can't even get a socket on it. Please help!!!! I have no idea what to do. Doesn't appear that I can access it from under the car. Here's a pic of what mess I'm dealing with. You can barely even tell that it's a bolt.
Thanks,
-Matt
Last edited by 72Shark_VAL; Feb 25, 2017 at 03:58 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,458
Likes: 331
From: Indy Indiana
dremel or a rotary grinder and cut the bolt head off. once you get the body off you will have to cut off the nut cage and weld a new one on.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/SPEEDWAY-...B98aAjB68P8HAQ
http://www.homedepot.com/p/SPEEDWAY-...B98aAjB68P8HAQ
Last edited by joewill; Feb 25, 2017 at 04:15 PM.
Old Fart Pilot
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,932
Likes: 1,001
From: Spokane, WA
WOW! I'm glad my '71 wasn't that bad. I'm not an expert here so take what I suggest with a grain of salt (preferably on the rim of a margarita)...
If it's like mine, the bottom side of that mount is a captive nut on the top of the frame rail. If you can get to it from underneath the car, slip a saws all blade between the top of the captive nut bracket and the bottom side of the body rail (from the inside of the frame rails) and cut the bolt.
Another option would be to weld a nut on top of the bolt and try to get a socket on that.
If that doesn't work, drill into the bolt head and use an extractor.
Final try is to cut/grind/torch the head of that bolt off and hopefully the body will lift right up.
All of the above would be helped with significant amounts of PB Blaster or other rust remover/penetrating oil.
My .02 (or less) worth...
Paul
If it's like mine, the bottom side of that mount is a captive nut on the top of the frame rail. If you can get to it from underneath the car, slip a saws all blade between the top of the captive nut bracket and the bottom side of the body rail (from the inside of the frame rails) and cut the bolt.
Another option would be to weld a nut on top of the bolt and try to get a socket on that.
If that doesn't work, drill into the bolt head and use an extractor.
Final try is to cut/grind/torch the head of that bolt off and hopefully the body will lift right up.
All of the above would be helped with significant amounts of PB Blaster or other rust remover/penetrating oil.
My .02 (or less) worth...
Paul
Last edited by nwav8tor; Feb 25, 2017 at 04:26 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 993
Likes: 44
From: Jefferson Hills PA
Grind the head of the bolt off. This will leave you a stub of bolt sticking up after you get the body off. You then can weld a nut to it or get vice grips on it and you get a second chance of removing it from the cage nut that's welded to the frame. It could save you from having to replace the cage nut. Even though it's not a big deal to replace the cage nut if you have a welding machine. If you're doing a complete frame off restoration this will be good practice for what's about to happen on some other bolts, screws and fasteners in general. Grind off the head and get the body off then deal with it.....
Ned
Ned
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,458
Likes: 331
From: Indy Indiana
of my 4 caged nuts from my previous corvette, 3 of them spun in their housing. my frame was shot almost totally anyway and my replacement frame had good clean caged nuts. so didn't have to play that welding game.
looking at your birdcage body mount area, i expect that you are gonna find lots of rust on your frame also.. don't know what you are considering.. but may not be worth it to start welding on that frame.. replacement may be what will be required.
looking at your birdcage body mount area, i expect that you are gonna find lots of rust on your frame also.. don't know what you are considering.. but may not be worth it to start welding on that frame.. replacement may be what will be required.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 164
Likes: 14
of my 4 caged nuts from my previous corvette, 3 of them spun in their housing. my frame was shot almost totally anyway and my replacement frame had good clean caged nuts. so didn't have to play that welding game.
looking at your birdcage body mount area, i expect that you are gonna find lots of rust on your frame also.. don't know what you are considering.. but may not be worth it to start welding on that frame.. replacement may be what will be required.
looking at your birdcage body mount area, i expect that you are gonna find lots of rust on your frame also.. don't know what you are considering.. but may not be worth it to start welding on that frame.. replacement may be what will be required.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,458
Likes: 331
From: Indy Indiana
i paid about 1300 in 2002.. they are about 3500 for great ones, and 2500 for good used ones today.. I was able to fetch in my pickup in a day trip.. add several hundred if you have to have it shipped to you.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2016
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Likes: 14
That's not as horrible as I would've thought. Also, do you think it would be worth the time, effort, & $$$ to fix my birdcage or go with a replacement? Looks like I can get one in great condition for around $1500-$2000. There's a good many for sale on eBay. Would I need it to be a 72 specific birdcage? Or would one from a 70-71 or 73 etc work? Are there any differences?
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 44,693
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From: Huntsville AL
Not sure what skillset you have to work with but a complete birdcage replacement is MAJOR surgery.
As for the frame I wouldn't even worry or address this area until I had figured out the path forward on the birdcage.
What does the rest of it look like?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 164
Likes: 14
Wow, I have seen some rotted out birdcages but that picture you posted is butt ugly and if that is any indication of the overall birdcage than you have a huge task ahead of you.
Not sure what skillset you have to work with but a complete birdcage replacement is MAJOR surgery.
As for the frame I wouldn't even worry or address this area until I had figured out the path forward on the birdcage.
What does the rest of it look like?
Not sure what skillset you have to work with but a complete birdcage replacement is MAJOR surgery.
As for the frame I wouldn't even worry or address this area until I had figured out the path forward on the birdcage.
What does the rest of it look like?
Last edited by 72Shark_VAL; Feb 27, 2017 at 06:51 PM.