Checking the Cage
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 149
Likes: 46
From: Lake Worth Florida
Checking the Cage
This is my third or so post in the few weeks I’ve been enjoying the new car. I’ve learned much from the forum and know I’ve a big job in front of me. I took the drivers foot panel off knowing the implications of what could lay behind and found this. I’ve two questions. First, is the amount of rust acceptable? Second, the paint code on the trim tag shows 978 which is LeMan blue. The existing paint inside the cage looks to be green. Was this some sort of underbody primer/paint?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,172
Likes: 4,250
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi A,
After the birdcages were assembled they were painted with a chromate primer.
For many years it was green but the shade varied. The baby poop green in your photos looks very similar to the green I found on the birdcage of my 71.
It appears there has been some 'moisture' in the bottom of the hinge pillars but it doesn't look to bad at all.
In fact most of the pillar that is seen in the photos look good.
You might think about stopping the rust from going any further than it has?
Have you look at at the bottom opt the lock pillars through the little access for in the front of each rear wheel well? That's a good place to check too.
Regards,
Alan
You'll be able to see the #3 body mount at the bottom of the lock pillar.
After the birdcages were assembled they were painted with a chromate primer.
For many years it was green but the shade varied. The baby poop green in your photos looks very similar to the green I found on the birdcage of my 71.
It appears there has been some 'moisture' in the bottom of the hinge pillars but it doesn't look to bad at all.
In fact most of the pillar that is seen in the photos look good.
You might think about stopping the rust from going any further than it has?
Have you look at at the bottom opt the lock pillars through the little access for in the front of each rear wheel well? That's a good place to check too.
Regards,
Alan
You'll be able to see the #3 body mount at the bottom of the lock pillar.
Last edited by Alan 71; Oct 26, 2017 at 06:52 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,189
Likes: 111
From: Tolland CT
The body mount area doesn't look too bad. Some water has been dripping down there causing the rust. I see some flakes, probably dropping down from the windshield pillar or windshield header, common at this age if the car wasn't stored in a garage for most of its life. I'd look closely at the windshield pillars, header, and area right under the upper fenders where they cover the upper firewall.
