Check out this crap! (pics)
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
From: Fishers IN
Check out this crap! (pics)
So I'm working on body mount bolt #3, getting ready to lift the body off this weekend. I started looking for a place to stick my finger in to lift the bolt out. I found a small hole, but when I pushed my finger in, the sides gave way, and I found that most of it was covered by some tin or something. Upon further inspection, I found another one to the left that was completely covered and painted over...covering a big rust hole. Pic #1 is before, & #2 is after.
Let the buyer beware!
Let the buyer beware!
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,876
Likes: 1
From: Jersey Shore Exit 98
that's ugly but its an easy fix and you don't have to make it look pretty because it under the car. I replaced a few floors pans and once you paint them black its hard to see the patch. G/L
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
Unfortunately you are probably going to find more than that after you get the body off. THe frame on my 72 had so much rust scale inside and out - as well as rust-throughs at the trans crossmember - that I decided to look for a better frame.
There are repair pieces available that can be welded in if the rest of the frame is still thick enough. Frames for chrome bumper cars are getting hard to find, at least ones in good condition. What some sellers consider "surface rust" looks more like heavily pitted junk to me.
Rick B.
There are repair pieces available that can be welded in if the rest of the frame is still thick enough. Frames for chrome bumper cars are getting hard to find, at least ones in good condition. What some sellers consider "surface rust" looks more like heavily pitted junk to me.
Rick B.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,652
Likes: 80
From: Lakeland Florida
WOW. I need to pull my rocker panels off soon to see what shape my frames are in. Its one of those areas where I am hesitant to really find out whats hidden behind the rocker panels.
Hope you can get this fixed, and that there isnt too much more of that.
kdf
Hope you can get this fixed, and that there isnt too much more of that.
kdf
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
From: Fishers IN
I think I'll just wait till this weekend to see what I have. This is the #3 bolt which is just in front of the frame kick-ups. So if this is the worst there is, the rest shouldn't be too bad. After seeing this, I thuroughly checked the other side and it appears to be in pretty good shape.
It's really not the money or time that gets me, it's the hiding of crap like this. And I spent quite a bit of time checking this car out. Missed this because it was hidden!
Oh well, having some brothers and nephews up to help me lift the body, then a cookout & beers. If the rust is bad, I'll drink my blues away. If it's not too bad, I'll celebrate. Plus, Friday is "Eileen's" birthday. October 20, 1969.
It's really not the money or time that gets me, it's the hiding of crap like this. And I spent quite a bit of time checking this car out. Missed this because it was hidden!
Oh well, having some brothers and nephews up to help me lift the body, then a cookout & beers. If the rust is bad, I'll drink my blues away. If it's not too bad, I'll celebrate. Plus, Friday is "Eileen's" birthday. October 20, 1969.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,601
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco CA
St. Jude Donor '07
Wow, that's pretty bad. Maybe it's time for a tube frame with 
Pro
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 529
Likes: 0
From: Waco TX
I see stuff like this all the time. The sad thing is that it likely could have been repaired properly (mig welded section) in the same amount of time that it took the guy to cover it up.
I hope that the balance of the frame checks out OK.
I hope that the balance of the frame checks out OK.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 851
Likes: 10
From: Palm City, FL
Originally Posted by Durango_boy
I pulled of my rocker covers last night to tightent he sidepipe mounting bolts, and checked my frame again just because of this thread. NO RUST...WOOOOO! 
Yea I checked mine too because of this post haha...
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,629
Likes: 4
From: Somers CT
Originally Posted by Buffalo Dude
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Those rear corners are indeed the worst spot ... been there, done that, 2 times.
Despite my obvious lack of order and neatness, they came out pretty good.
http://nhvette.homeunix.com/ftp/in/framerail_14.jpg
Good news is that the repairs are fairly easy after the body is out of the way.
Wishing you good luck on the birdcage.
Soon, your frame will be all fixed up and looking nice.
http://nhvette.homeunix.com/ftp/in/frame_paint_03.jpg
Despite my obvious lack of order and neatness, they came out pretty good.
http://nhvette.homeunix.com/ftp/in/framerail_14.jpg
Good news is that the repairs are fairly easy after the body is out of the way.
Wishing you good luck on the birdcage.
Soon, your frame will be all fixed up and looking nice.
http://nhvette.homeunix.com/ftp/in/frame_paint_03.jpg
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 233
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From: Fishers IN
Wow, nice frame. Hope mine turns out that nice. 
You know, I got welding equipment, and I can weld. And it will all come out fine in the end I'm sure. It just galls me that someone would go to so much trouble to deceive another Vette guy. If I had seen this, I would have STILL bought the car. It was everything I wanted: #'s matching, '69 Coupe, BB, 4 Speed, black interior, < $20k. I didn't need to be tricked into buying it. Arrrgh!
OK, I feel much better now. I'll get off my soapbox.
I'll take pics of the body lift, then the frame damage. I looked some more today and don't think the rest is as bad as the pics.
Thanks for the words of encouragement guys...more to follow.
You know, I got welding equipment, and I can weld. And it will all come out fine in the end I'm sure. It just galls me that someone would go to so much trouble to deceive another Vette guy. If I had seen this, I would have STILL bought the car. It was everything I wanted: #'s matching, '69 Coupe, BB, 4 Speed, black interior, < $20k. I didn't need to be tricked into buying it. Arrrgh!
OK, I feel much better now. I'll get off my soapbox.
I'll take pics of the body lift, then the frame damage. I looked some more today and don't think the rest is as bad as the pics.
Thanks for the words of encouragement guys...more to follow.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
You did say you checked the birdcage right? Did this include taking off theinterior trim and looking at teh bottom of the inside a-pillar? That's a bad spot for rust if the windshield had a leaky seal.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 4,101
Likes: 10
From: NorCal
So if the body's coming off anyway, I wouldn't spend much time on that frame. Since you mentioned that cost wasn't the driving factor here, A car as nice as that gets a new frame, or better yet a proper vintage NOS Cali or South-West frame to make it perfect again. I agree that the worst rust will be at the rear kick-ups and I'd ice pick the heck out of it before I even considered any repairs to that one.
Course, you only get one OEM frame, but it will show the ravages and repairs unless your god-like in your welding and grinding skills
Good luck!
Hans
Course, you only get one OEM frame, but it will show the ravages and repairs unless your god-like in your welding and grinding skills
Good luck!
Hans
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
From: Fishers IN
Yeah DB, birdcage is not too bad. Most rust not caused by leaky windshield. Rust caused by leaky little mouse living on top of #2 driver side bolt. 
Wrencher: I will attempt to be god-like. But if not, I know some semi-godlike welders.
LM: That's exactly why I want to keep this frame. Through a lot of research, I've found out that this is an incredibly original survivor. I'll check out those welds on the front crossmembers. Thanks for the tip!
Wrencher: I will attempt to be god-like. But if not, I know some semi-godlike welders.
LM: That's exactly why I want to keep this frame. Through a lot of research, I've found out that this is an incredibly original survivor. I'll check out those welds on the front crossmembers. Thanks for the tip!