In removing my body mounts I had the usual problems but discovered a way of dealing with #3 that I had not seen posted before. Since I had received so many useful tips on this board, I thought to share this if it helps someone. My number 3 nut broke loose inside the cage and did the spin me around dance inside the cage. My solution was to drill a hole through the cage and tack the nut to the cage roof. This spared me the fiberglass repair where exposing the area is a common approach. In the picture below you can see a 1/2 drive ratchet, a tie rod pickle fork and a dental mirror to help see the nut and cage. The pickle fork is to keep the caged nut on the roof of the cage. That is where you want to weld it and keep it from spinning.
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The mirror shows the open side of the cage and the nut that is spinning. Below is a large view of the nut in the mirror.
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This is a view of the 9/32 hole that I drilled into the frame cage mount. I used a 6013 1/16 rod to push through the hole and weld the nut to the cage roof. It was impossible to clean the area for welding, so I just held the rod to it and made a pass the best I could. Remember, this is braille welding, but it worked well enought to get the bolt out. I don't see any need to weld my drilled hole closed.
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Red69,..Good tip but how were able to get a tack in there?

Also,..all that red,..hope it wasn't blood.

I'm about to pursue this job myself,..who knows what will develop,..I may get with you for more advice.

Thanks

 

Good to know. Fortunately I was lucky on my '79 and only had a messed up #4 body mount, but I intend to get an older Corvette in about a year and I might not be so lucky when I work on that one.

Once again, thanks for the tip.

 

73-454, the hole I drilled opened a window through which the 1/16th rod could be pushed through. My picture was taken before the hole went completely through. The clean metal reflected light and made for a clearer picture. I spent a lot of time setting it up so the hole would provide the best rod angle to make the weld. This is a stick rod job only. As I said, this saves alot of time getting the job done. You must be certain the nut is tight to the roof of the cage (pickle fork) and the rod makes contact with the nut (push rod in til it stops). It is a little tricky getting the rod to arc on dirty metal and I went through a couple rods trying, but in the end it was done.

No blood was shed on this job, red car!

 

Man,..you're good! Not sure I could pull it off.

 

I'm sure no pro welder; anyone with some experience with a stick welder and good planning can do this IMO.

 

Pardon the dumb question here, Is this #3 mount the one located in the front of the rear wheel well?

 

That's what's photo'd above.