Options on fixing core support
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,651
Likes: 13
From: Holly MI
Options on fixing core support
While I have the core support and radiator out to have the frame fixed, I figured I would fix the core support. Well, the rot was worse than I suspected.
http://home.comcast.net/~grulich69/w...D-2202297.html
http://home.comcast.net/~grulich69/w...D-2202299.html
I removed one of the pieces along the bottom of the support by drilling out the spot welds. This gave me access to the worst of the rot.
http://home.comcast.net/~grulich69/w...D-2202301.html
I am debating whether to try and fix all the rot using patches, or simply make a new core support. I am going to be mounting some electric fans, so I am going to be making some brackets anyway. I was thinking about making the support out of 2x2 square tubing. Any thoughts or opinions on which way to go?
Ken
http://home.comcast.net/~grulich69/w...D-2202297.html
http://home.comcast.net/~grulich69/w...D-2202299.html
I removed one of the pieces along the bottom of the support by drilling out the spot welds. This gave me access to the worst of the rot.
http://home.comcast.net/~grulich69/w...D-2202301.html
I am debating whether to try and fix all the rot using patches, or simply make a new core support. I am going to be mounting some electric fans, so I am going to be making some brackets anyway. I was thinking about making the support out of 2x2 square tubing. Any thoughts or opinions on which way to go?
Ken
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
i cut and welded patch panels into mine....i figured new steel was better then holes and the original one was at least correct dimensionally
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,651
Likes: 13
From: Holly MI
I think I am going to start patching it, and if that doesn't go as well as I hope, then I will look at making one. The biggest problem I see with making one out of tubing, is that it appears the vertical pieces actually bend in a little where the support bolts to the body.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
Originally Posted by bb69
I think I am going to start patching it, and if that doesn't go as well as I hope, then I will look at making one. The biggest problem I see with making one out of tubing, is that it appears the vertical pieces actually bend in a little where the support bolts to the body.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,131
Likes: 4
From: May help you? You can sure as hell try!
Ken, That doesn't look so bad. For a '68 support that I re-did, I had a local sheetmetal shop bend up some new lower section pieces and then plug welded the parts together to make a new lower section that looked exactly like the original, then I MIG welded the new section in place, ground the weld bead flush, and the support looked like new after. I've got a spot welder now so I don't even need to plug weld. If you want, bring the support by later this week and maybe I can help. It's the least I can do for "wheel rental".
The sheet metal shop fabbed the pieces for me for the cost of lunch for the guys working there. Pizza for all!!!
Bobs77: Nice work!
The sheet metal shop fabbed the pieces for me for the cost of lunch for the guys working there. Pizza for all!!!
Bobs77: Nice work!
Last edited by LemansBlue68; May 7, 2005 at 09:22 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
I replaced almost the entire lower section. Your's isn't TO bad.
I went from this ... http://nhvette.homeunix.com/ftp/_pic...uff/rsup_b.jpg
To this ...
http://nhvette.homeunix.com/ftp/_pic...nosedone_1.jpg
I used perforated stock to let the lower area breath.
I went from this ... http://nhvette.homeunix.com/ftp/_pic...uff/rsup_b.jpg
To this ...
http://nhvette.homeunix.com/ftp/_pic...nosedone_1.jpg
I used perforated stock to let the lower area breath.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Around '97-98 or so at the last Cypress show, I bought a replacement support, 225 bux or so....it was thinner metal and lighter than even the old holy POS in there....I drilled holes in the lower back section to let water drain out, and plugged all top holes with my favorite black RTV...should last long as I do....
otherwise, maybe I can get the guy who tigged up my grill to tig up something super lightweight....
GENE
otherwise, maybe I can get the guy who tigged up my grill to tig up something super lightweight....
GENE
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 4,269
Likes: 3
From: St. Charles IL
Cruise-In 5-6-7-8-9-11-12 Veteran
A CI-6 Car Show Winner
I have access to a sheet metal shop and welding equipment so I fabricated the bottom 6" of my support from 16 gauge black iron. Made it exactly like the original, it's really hard to tell it's been replaced. Looking back at all the hours I had wrapped up in the project I figured I will never do that again as long as I live.
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Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 539
Likes: 3
From: Twin Cities Minnesota
I took my support out last week to have the radiator boiled out and found what you all did. Mine isn't too bad. Mostly small pin holes along the bottom channel. I was going to por-15 it and hope for the best. It seems pretty solid along most other lines. What are you guys going to do for the seals (sponge rubber)? Mine are pretty stiff and I would like to replace them. What did you use to replace them?
Thanks for the pictures you included. I have got to get a digital...
Thanks for the pictures you included. I have got to get a digital...
Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 539
Likes: 3
From: Twin Cities Minnesota
one more thing. On the support, the lower radiator support brackets have a bolt on each side that appears to be welded on to the support. The bolts are the ones that the bottom of the shroud attaches to. When i removed mine they both snapped off. I don't have a welder, I was thinking of grinding the broken ones off and putting in some type of lag bolt. Any of you have that problem or have a fix you used?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,651
Likes: 13
From: Holly MI
I am going to start working on it today. I have a Harbor Freight combination sheetmetal brake, sheer, and roller, so I will give it a try.
Eric,
I may take you up on your offer, if for no other reason to come see your paint.
The work everyone here has done looks great, and I will see if I can duplicate that.
Thanks
Ken
Eric,
I may take you up on your offer, if for no other reason to come see your paint.
The work everyone here has done looks great, and I will see if I can duplicate that.
Thanks
Ken
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,651
Likes: 13
From: Holly MI
I got two sections repaired last night. There is a lot of grinding to make it look good, but the sections came out well. The biggest challenge now is fixing the section on the bottom that runs the width of the support. The whole thing is rotted. The area I am talking about is in this pic, right beneath the flange. I cut the flange off, and there was nothing left under it.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/phot...cat/500/page/1
I should have more pics tonight.
Ken
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/phot...cat/500/page/1
I should have more pics tonight.
Ken
Last edited by bb69; May 9, 2005 at 09:34 AM.
