I have a 81 vette, in pretty decent condition, aside from some rust on the frame and birdcage. The frame overall has some surface rust and an actual hole on the drivers side frame rail (near rear of door) and floor pans are rusted through very badly. My original plan was to have the frame fixed sometime in the near future by a pro but unsure of the cost, and slowly restore the car. And I would do the floor pans myself. To make a long story short, (if I want) I can have a new RUST FREE frame and birdcage (tub) from another 81 vette for FREE.

I'm not a pro by any means, and I guess my question is, would I be getting in over my head swapping my current car over to another frame and cage? Or would it be easier just to have my frame repaired and do the floor myself? This is my first experience with a corvette, was actually the first vette I have driven. My experience is mostly engine/electrical systems etc. I do not know much about body and frame work but I'm very mechanically inclined.

The new frame is appealing to me because I could have it cleaned up and powder coated before installation, which I would not be able to do on my current frame. Money is also an issue, I would like to take care of most of the work myself. (in my garage). Any suggestions on shop tools that would make this swap easier? I don't want to take up another space in the garage with a frame I don't have the means or ability to use.

 

Your concerns are the same as mine also. Hopefully you will get some good responses. Another question: what frame years fit yours? Does if have to be the same year frame?

 

Dude, if you can get the free one take it immediately!
Clean it up, paint it, cleanup and replace any hardware that needs it. While your doing this you can still drive your car. Once the new frame is ready do the swap over.
Even with some rust the existing frame and parts will bring some $$ mitigating the cost of the whole project
Take the space in the garage. All you need is basic tools for most of the work to be done until the swap. Rent or buy a sand blaster and get after it.

 

What you are talking about is (to most of us here) a fun and rewarding project. To me it would come down to time on the road vs time off the road and the $$ factor. This is not rocket science so you should have no problem doing the job. However, it wont happen over night so patience is needed. Right now it is killing me seeing my car sit in the garage ready to drive down the street but not ready for cruising around. The big stuff is done but life has dealt me a house to remodel and my wife has cut off the car money

You can patch the frame and drive for cheap or you can have the best car you can afford by swapping the frame and going doing good work. Good luck.

 

I wish I could get a free frame the bird cage is a defanate plus. Jump on it

 

Changing out the frame is something a reasonably competent wrench can do in their garage. It's of course always helpful to have the assistance of someone that has done this before. You might also need the help of a few friends to actually transfer the body...

Birdcage rust is another matter. In most cases, this is gonna involve removing and later re-bonding fiberglass panels, roof skin, front clip, firewall, etc. Unless you have experience in this area, that portion might best be left to a professional, at least you will probably be happier with the results.

Good luck... GUSTO

 

This proposition just came up this morning, I would definatly "want" to have a new frame/cage/floors. I had all but written off having a restored frame due to $$. Now I have the chance to get everything for free, and my concern now isnt the $$, it is my ability to make this happen. From what I am reading, I might be blowing the difficulty out of proportion. Im sure it would be more difficult if it was just the frame, or just a cage, but its frame/floor/cage intact. Seems it would be just a clean swap after the prep was done. Also would afford me to fix stuff that would have been hidden or missed on the path that I was previously gonna take. I am fully aware of the amount of time this will take, and thats what I wanted. To put my own "blood and sweat" into this project. Im not looking to make money and all that, I just want the car I always wanted and figured I would never have.


Almost forgot, what happens with the VIN and registration if I do this?

 

By the way, I really appreciate everyone's input. Defiantly a helpful community.

 

you would move your VIN tag to the "new" birdcage.

I say go for it!

I'm in the middle of a body off on my '73 convertible, I have a lot of birdcage rot to repair around the windshield frame and I have to replace the left side rocker channel, it's rotted so bad that I can't use a rocker channel insert.
Thankfully, I found a good used rocker channel at Corvettes @ Carlisle last weekend. along with a few other items that I need to start working on my birdcage.

here's where I am now............



I do have the engine and trans off the frame now also.

 

Hey Man, your building a car not a watch or thermonuclear reactor, take a look at some of the local garage guys and tell me you can't do this.
Get a book, ask lots of ??'s i here, we can help. You might get lucky and have a forum member or two close by, Get your profile filled out. And snag that thing before it gets away

 

Get the free frame. Would hate to guess what it would cost if you took your frame to have it repaired. The spendometer would go up. It will take time but it can be done. I'd rather swap a frame out then work on the cage. I've done both

 

Exactly what I was trying to say in the Gen thread.

 

"...The spendometer would go up..."



ahhhhh - i was wondering what that extra gauge
with the fluctuating needle was. now i know.

it's the *spendometer*. LOL