I'm going to look at a '78 in a few days.I read about rusty windshield posts a lot.Is this something that's obvious,or is there a technique for finding the rust? Thanks in advance.
tankman

 

It would be best to remove the weatherstripping on the posts to get a closer look, but if that can't be done, the kick panels can be removed easily enough to get a look at the body mounts behind them. It will give you a better idea of whats going on above them.

Take a look at the VIN tag area...rivets should look good. Also, when you open the doors, the area at the corner behind the door, top of the fender and the lower corner of the windshield shouldn't look suspicious with swollen paint or scabby material there.

 

Hey champs 85,
Thank you very much.I don't think he'll let me remove the weatherstripping,but I'll follow the rest of your advice,and hope I don't break something.
tankman

 

You can also tap on the pillars on each side and if you see rust particles falling to the carpet, you know the car has a problem.

 

Thanks Jud.I'll do that.

 

Good luck with your look see!

 

The top section of the window frame, especially where the T-top connects, is also an area where moisture can be trapped. Mine had rust there.

 

Yep, I forgot to mention that. Just tap from one pillar to the other including the top piece.

 

Thanks again to everyone.
tankman

 

The windshield frame is well hidden under the windshield and upper moldings so you can't see the condition except for a narrow gap between the outer vertical reveal molding and interior pillar molding. If the car has a new windshield and some fresh black paint on the pillars I would question the owner and see what he says, chances are he knows exactly what is underneath. Beating on the frame and listening for falling rust is not a guarantee of a rust free frame.

I worked on a '73 coupe yesterday where the 2 body mounts behind the kick panels are so bad they have turned into a pile of powder. The rocker channels have several rust holes in each side. But when I removed the windshield and upper moldings I was surprised (shocked) to find only 2 small holes the size of a dime in each upper corner and an equal sized hole in the cowl. None of this was visible or detectable prior to disassembly. These holes were easily repairable without replacing the frame but shows that there is little or no correlation in the condition between two adjacent areas.

So when looking at all of the common rust areas on these cars you need to add up everything that is visible and make your best assumption. It is a gamble.

Also, '76-'82 cars have steel floor pans, so check the floors for rust or repairs underneath the car.

 

This is what the pillar looks like under the moldings/dash. Take a flashlight and look in the area shown as best you can. This car had mainly just surface rust and cleaned up well. Note that the water then drains down right into the body mounting bolt pocket (next photo)

 

ahoover and Duke94,
Thank you both very much.I will ask questions and take a good look.

tankman