Project car...OH man, here we go..$$$$$$
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,126
Likes: 0
From: Hudson Falls, N.Y. 76 Vette Modified L-48
Project car...OH man, here we go..$$$$$$
Well...I'm sure some of you are gonna say..."I told you so..."
Here I was worried about the rear end...hell, that one will be a breeze...went over Wednesday to look over the rear end....needed to jack it up to get under it...apparently, New Hampshire REALLY uses the salt on their roads...
The frame, at least on the bottom, is rusted to the point it won't support the weight of the vehicle without crushing in...
Now just to review...the body is very good, needs paint, the engine runs, the tranny and clutch appear to be working and the rear end WILL turn without any apparent bearing whine in 4th at engine idle...
What can I do? Is there a reasonable chance I can find a frame for this thing (79) without SELLING both my sons and a grandson to get it??
Restore guys, please chime in...HELP!!
Here I was worried about the rear end...hell, that one will be a breeze...went over Wednesday to look over the rear end....needed to jack it up to get under it...apparently, New Hampshire REALLY uses the salt on their roads...
The frame, at least on the bottom, is rusted to the point it won't support the weight of the vehicle without crushing in...
Now just to review...the body is very good, needs paint, the engine runs, the tranny and clutch appear to be working and the rear end WILL turn without any apparent bearing whine in 4th at engine idle...
What can I do? Is there a reasonable chance I can find a frame for this thing (79) without SELLING both my sons and a grandson to get it??
Restore guys, please chime in...HELP!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,056
Likes: 8
From: Redruth Cornwall
More $$$$, LOL, always the way! Shame you arent nearer to CA, I see a guy has a 76 frame for sale at $400...would that fit without too many mods?
Hope you get it sorted....BTW your white Vette's sister car has just come out of the paint shop after having a few very minor scratches repaired...
Hope you get it sorted....BTW your white Vette's sister car has just come out of the paint shop after having a few very minor scratches repaired...
Pro
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 540
Likes: 4
St. Jude Donor '09, '24
Look around here in the for sale adds here in the forum. There has been some good used frames available for your year vette. Lots of vettes were produced 79 so running across one shouldn't be too differcult. With the sunspot cycle in the low end anyway it will give you something to do when the bands fold 
houstonvett
houstonvett
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,154
Likes: 1
From: St Augustine FL
Three choices: If you purchased the car for a good price, part it out and make $$$ to pay for the next vette...2nd sell the car and hope to break even....third buy a frame spend a lot of time and money. Bare frames that need sand blasting and painting can be bought for around $500-$800.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Corve...QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CORVE...QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CORVE...QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1975-...QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB..._BIN_Stores_IT
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB..._BIN_Stores_IT
Good Luck!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Corve...QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CORVE...QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CORVE...QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1975-...QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB..._BIN_Stores_IT
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB..._BIN_Stores_IT
Good Luck!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,083
Likes: 2
From: Montreal Qc.
Originally Posted by bluesilver82
Bare frames that need sand blasting and painting can be bought for around $500-$800.
Frame-swap can realistically be done for under 2000 bucks in parts if you have the time/space/tools to do it yourself. Figure AT LEAST 3X that if you have to pay to have it done.
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Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
If I remember correctly you paid $1725 for the car with the intent of doing a body off. The objective was to build a good driver and spend some quality time with your son during the restoration. So, if you can find a solid frame for a good price then I would say your plans have not been altered substantially despite the current setback.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,635
Likes: 0
From: Union Ontario
Good frames are not hard to find nor expensive.... You just have to look.
You can use a 74-79 frame for your 79. Usuing a 77 or earlier frame requires your to do a little drilling and cutting to fit the gas tank but nothing major.
Like Big G said check the bird cage out. There is a chance that it may be rotten too. I just am finishing up my restoration which included both. The car has significant sentimental value to me (me and my dad bought it together when I was 15) and that is the ONLY REASON I did it. I could have found better to start with.
You can use a 74-79 frame for your 79. Usuing a 77 or earlier frame requires your to do a little drilling and cutting to fit the gas tank but nothing major.
Like Big G said check the bird cage out. There is a chance that it may be rotten too. I just am finishing up my restoration which included both. The car has significant sentimental value to me (me and my dad bought it together when I was 15) and that is the ONLY REASON I did it. I could have found better to start with.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,652
Likes: 80
From: Lakeland Florida
Originally Posted by paul67
If I remember correctly you paid $1725 for the car with the intent of doing a body off. .
Is that what you paid for the car, and do you intend to do a body off restoration?
If you are doing a body off restoration, then a bad rusty frame is not a hindrance, and you should be able to find a replacement one in better condition. So a setback to a frame off restoration, but not a show stopper.
Now if you are not going to do a full body off restoration, and you paid $1725 for your car, I would probably either sell it out right, and start over, spending a little more now that you know what to look for, or piece it out if you have the room, and buy another 1979 to restore. You could use parts from the first 79 to fix the other 79, while selling off parts to finance the deal for the car. Assuming you have room. But if you are going to do a full frame off, then you should have room.
kdf
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
You were planning on a body off anyways..... just go ahead and take the car apart, then decide what to do (either repair the frame or buy another frame)
You might be able to find a bubba'd C3 with a good frame (no engine, no interior, body shot a.s.o.) for $1000-$2000... you might be lucky...
Take it all apart first, then you can still sell the parts and brake even.....
If it's "only" the area in front of the rear wheels you could weld a 6-link in place.... there are many options... don't give up yet
You might be able to find a bubba'd C3 with a good frame (no engine, no interior, body shot a.s.o.) for $1000-$2000... you might be lucky...
Take it all apart first, then you can still sell the parts and brake even.....
If it's "only" the area in front of the rear wheels you could weld a 6-link in place.... there are many options... don't give up yet
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,387
Likes: 2
From: Meriden CT
Originally Posted by big_G
Check the bird-cage thorougly before you go much further. Especially check the windshield pillars and the rocker channels.
We had to replace our frame as well.....
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,848
Likes: 0
From: Beacon NY
If you are leery about ebay, check out
http://www.corvetteusa.com/
According to their webpage, they want $1,200-$2,400 for a '75-'82 frame that has been checked out for alignment.
http://www.corvetteusa.com/
According to their webpage, they want $1,200-$2,400 for a '75-'82 frame that has been checked out for alignment.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,126
Likes: 0
From: Hudson Falls, N.Y. 76 Vette Modified L-48
Originally Posted by houstonvett
Look around here in the for sale adds here in the forum. There has been some good used frames available for your year vette. Lots of vettes were produced 79 so running across one shouldn't be too differcult. With the sunspot cycle in the low end anyway it will give you something to do when the bands fold houstonvett
houstonvett
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,126
Likes: 0
From: Hudson Falls, N.Y. 76 Vette Modified L-48
Originally Posted by paul67
If I remember correctly you paid $1725 for the car with the intent of doing a body off. The objective was to build a good driver and spend some quality time with your son during the restoration. So, if you can find a solid frame for a good price then I would say your plans have not been altered substantially despite the current setback.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,126
Likes: 0
From: Hudson Falls, N.Y. 76 Vette Modified L-48
Originally Posted by RedBad1979
You were planning on a body off anyways........ there are many options... don't give up yet
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,083
Likes: 2
From: Montreal Qc.
There's a guy in PA that's selling a solid frame, lemme go check my PMs (I was gonna buy it, but found one closer).
**edit** forum name is burnt71, he's in Lancaster PA, last I knew he still had his frame for sale. I just sent him a PM with link to this thread.
**edit** forum name is burnt71, he's in Lancaster PA, last I knew he still had his frame for sale. I just sent him a PM with link to this thread.
Last edited by Star79; Apr 14, 2006 at 03:18 PM.