windshield frame rust
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 840
Likes: 19
From: Oshawa
windshield frame rust
Has anyone had to deal with rust on the a-pillars and herader bars? What is the best way to deal with this situation? Mine is a 1971 coupe, any assistance would be greatly appreaciated!
Racer
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 370
Likes: 11
From: Abilene TX
I also have a 71, convertible. I have been buying parts for 20 years and hope to get started on it in the next several months. My pillar post are good, but noticed a little rust out in the upper corners. I bought a WS frame off e-bay that was in excellent condition for $200. Coupe frames seem to be a little cheaper. There was a topic on this several months ago, with good pictures. I will have someone look at mine and see what direction I need to go, but at least I have my bases covered. The seperate pieces can by bought, although expensive. I thought it would be easier to line up if I only had to cut the upper frame and weld the used upper frame in instead of having to do the corners also.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 397
Likes: 1
From: CORTLANDT MANOR NY
the extent of the rust will determine the course of action. Slight or surface rust may only require rustproofing and painting. More intense rust would require replacing rusted areas. Severe rust replacing the whole birdcage. Its all relative to the extent of damage.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,870
Likes: 3,544
From: Fernandina Beach FL
2023 Restomod of the Year finalist
2020 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
Rust...
I just pulled my windshield yesterday. I found a nice hole on the driver side upper corner-MORE WORK... Anyway I have a book-
Chevrolet Corvette : Restoration Guide
Author: LINDSAY PORTER
It has some great pictures redoing a 68 windshield frame-I recommend this book just like Playboy... for the pictures!!!.
Good luck-
Richard
Chevrolet Corvette : Restoration Guide
Author: LINDSAY PORTER
It has some great pictures redoing a 68 windshield frame-I recommend this book just like Playboy... for the pictures!!!.
Good luck-
Richard
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 840
Likes: 19
From: Oshawa
Originally Posted by Richard454
I just pulled my windshield yesterday. I found a nice hole on the driver side upper corner-MORE WORK... Anyway I have a book-
Chevrolet Corvette : Restoration Guide
Author: LINDSAY PORTER
It has some great pictures redoing a 68 windshield frame-I recommend this book just like Playboy... for the pictures!!!.
Good luck-
Richard
Chevrolet Corvette : Restoration Guide
Author: LINDSAY PORTER
It has some great pictures redoing a 68 windshield frame-I recommend this book just like Playboy... for the pictures!!!.
Good luck-
Richard
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 892
Likes: 0
From: GA
Rich is right. I used this book to fix my rusty 1970 Vert. I even cut the fenders back and welded in new metal corners with my trusty mig welder. A little POR-15... well... A LOT of POR-15 and hopefully this will be the last repair. Note to self... POR-15 will make the door hinge bolts stick... REAL WELL
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,727
Likes: 38
From: Fremont CA
Parts are still avalible from Corvette suppliers for the winshield frames here is a link, bring plenty of $$. I have a frame I "saved" from a project car off a 72 Coupe, I'll sell it for $150 plus shipping charges. Email me for photos at zeohsix2002@yahoo.com Here is the link for the new parts at Corvette Central, it looks like they are over $500 but, they are brand new, do a search for window for your Vette. Link: http://www.corvettecentral.com/
Last edited by Solid LT1; Nov 28, 2005 at 10:33 PM.
Racer
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 394
Likes: 0
From: Jackson, MS USA
it is an easy fix. I bought my corners from Paragon, but it sounds like you have a pretty good offer from Solid LT-1. If you can't weld bribe someone who can. MOST IMPORTANT STEP: Measure everything 3-5 times, and write out and draw the whole setup. The measurements are critical to a good job, and t-tops that don't leak etc, etc, etc, etc!!!!!! What you are looking for is reference points that you can reproduce, ie corners to a known point center lines hole locations etc. The old frame is spot welded together. get the grinder out, and lightly go over the surface to find the spot welds. Drill out your spot welds, and then use a pry bar to seperate the pieces; I actually used an air hammer (much faster). Tack the new parts together and make sure all of your measurements are the same as the old ones. If they are not just grind off the tacks, and start over. It really is not that bad of a job.
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Safety Car
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 4,176
Likes: 7
From: Jennings LA
doing the same
I need to replace my top bar and corners and patch a few areas in the lower corners. I looked at a few on ebay but they had rust also. just as soon fix mine. those new parts sure seem to be overpriced but they gotcha. got to have a windshield
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 840
Likes: 19
From: Oshawa
Originally Posted by Solid LT1
Parts are still avalible from Corvette suppliers for the winshield frames here is a link, bring plenty of $$. I have a frame I "saved" from a project car off a 72 Coupe, I'll sell it for $150 plus shipping charges. Email me for photos at zeohsix2002@yahoo.com Here is the link for the new parts at Corvette Central, it looks like they are over $500 but, they are brand new, do a search for window for your Vette. Link: http://www.corvettecentral.com/
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 918
Likes: 5
From: Gainesville FL
Originally Posted by Graemeinvette
If you can tack some bracing rods to the good uprights of the frame before you cut anything it helps to keep them in the right place while you tack on the new parts.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,254
Likes: 1
From: Edinburgh
Originally Posted by Vette Gator
Do you mean tacking some rods horizontally between the uprights? I will be doing this job very soon and these kinds of pointers are exactly what I need. Your job on the frame looks really good.
