Hole in Right side Frame
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
If it's a small patch, you could probably get away with lifting body a little bit...enough to work on the patch...but not taking the whole thing of. You would have to disconnect a lot of things....and replace body mounts and bolts...but it's better than lifting it all off, having a dolly ready, and storing basically two cars instead of one while you fix the problem.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,079
Likes: 1
From: Niagara Falls ON
It isn't my car so I don't have any photos. I was looking at it but didn't have a camera with me. I am just trying to get an idea of whether I should get the car or avoid it. I dont' mind a project since I already have a Vette to drive.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 455
Likes: 0
From: Buffalo New York
How big is the hole and is there only one, which is not likely...
If you can weld it is not that hard of a fix if the hole is in the bottom of the frame. If it is on the side and the body is in the way it is more difficult.
If you can weld it is not that hard of a fix if the hole is in the bottom of the frame. If it is on the side and the body is in the way it is more difficult.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 417
Likes: 40
From: Swansea IL
They have friends!
If the hole is due to rust. Cough twice and pass. They have friends, usually a lot of them.
Unless you are interested in a major project, have at it. You may be into replacing a frame if the rust is bad enough.
RGDS
Bob
Unless you are interested in a major project, have at it. You may be into replacing a frame if the rust is bad enough.
RGDS
Bob
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
A new frame is sometimes a really good option. You can buy the frame, and restore it while it's a separate entity. You can take a lot of the suspension, brakes, and drive train from the other car as it sits, and when it's all finished...transfer the body over. Big project...but you'll have a solid frame that'll last you a LONG time.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,412
Likes: 792
From: Redondo Beach, California
Just to re-iterate from what you've probably learned from the above....if the little hole in the frame is due to rust, it's probably much worse if you could see it inside the frame. Basically, a rule of thumb, is that the C3 frame rusts from the inside out. If this is the situation, you've probably got a lot of other little holes soon to make their appearance.
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Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,832
Likes: 38
From: Cedar,BC
Rust holes almost always travel in packs,if there is one-there is likely several more.Get the car up on a hoist and do a thorough inspection to determine the extent of the damage.Ask to see inside the kick panels and the #3 body mount panels in front of the rear wheels,if the owner balks at a more involved inspection,walk away.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Rust holes almost always travel in packs,if there is one-there is likely several more.Get the car up on a hoist and do a thorough inspection to determine the extent of the damage.Ask to see inside the kick panels and the #3 body mount panels in front of the rear wheels,if the owner balks at a more involved inspection,walk away.On the other side of that...don't let a few holes deter you. A little extra work and some fabrication and you have a good frame. It's the ones that are rotten to the core that are the problem.
