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Old Jul 2, 2009 | 09:52 AM
  #1  
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Default Frame rust

Hi,

Anybody know of a good book to walk me through doing a body off. Found that the rear pick up behind both tires are rusted right thru. And the rear crossmember on the passenger side is very weak in one spot. I was able to pass thru it wiht a pry bar.

I have owned the car for 9 years and always kept it garaged. Im guessing the previous owner left it out in his yard in the snow. And just got worst from there.

I took the body bolt off near the driver rear tire. Came out pretty easy. So hopefully the rust isnt too bad and I can just fix the frame. Wish me luck. LOL
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Old Jul 2, 2009 | 10:23 AM
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Originally Posted by datindsas
Hi,

Anybody know of a good book to walk me through doing a body off. Found that the rear pick up behind both tires are rusted right thru. And the rear crossmember on the passenger side is very weak in one spot. I was able to pass thru it wiht a pry bar.

I have owned the car for 9 years and always kept it garaged. Im guessing the previous owner left it out in his yard in the snow. And just got worst from there.

I took the body bolt off near the driver rear tire. Came out pretty easy. So hopefully the rust isnt too bad and I can just fix the frame. Wish me luck. LOL
There are a couple videos on youtube showing a body lift, but they are by no means instructions.

My wife and I bought our '73 in November 1996, and it was sitting outside. The passenger floorpan was level full with water, which had frozen. It has been in the barn ever since we bought it. I just started tearing into it two weeks ago. The drivers side frame has one spot in the angle gusset below where the brake line is that is rusted through, but other than that, I haven't found any soft spots.

Good luck with yours!
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Old Jul 2, 2009 | 10:35 AM
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datindsas
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I have been driving mine for the past 9 years and decided to fix some other things on it this year and wait until next summer to drive it. Good thing I did a good check and found this.
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Old Jul 2, 2009 | 10:51 AM
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There is a post somewhere on the forum (I wish I had the URL) that has a check list for a body lift. Do a search for "body lift" and you'll probably find it.

Temvette72
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Old Jul 2, 2009 | 10:54 AM
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I remember someone said there was a book that they used also. Explained everything even how to build the cradle for the body once you take it off. Hoping someone will chime in.
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Old Jul 2, 2009 | 11:36 AM
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This is a pretty good one, the only limitation is that the work features a bumper car, not the later c3s but it has a lot of pictures and some decent step by steps for everything. I paid $12 including shipping through amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Chevrolet-Corv.../dp/0760303258

Also, a great website from one the the forum members, also a bumper car:

http://www.corvette-restoration.com/
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Old Jul 2, 2009 | 03:02 PM
  #7  
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There are quite a few great books out there on Corvette Restoration and C-3's in particular. I bought the original edition of this; How to Restore and Modify Your Corvette, 1968-1982 by Richard Newton a few years back and found it to be very detailed and complete. I still find it to be a great reference book on C-3's years later.

There are other books out there that are very good as well and specifically address the C-3's:
Corvette Restoration Guide, 1968-1982 - by Richard Prince
Original Corvette 1968-1982: The Restorer's Guide 1968-1982 - by Tom Falconer
Corvette, 1968-1982 (Sports Car Color History) - by Mike Mueller

All of these gents are considered to be extremely knowledgeable, if not experts, on the C-3's and I think you'll find any of them helpful and enjoyable. Just google Corvette Restoration books and you'll find a myriad of sites that sell them along with some of our Forum vendors.

Good luck... GUSTO
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Old Jul 2, 2009 | 04:47 PM
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This might help

http://www.corvette-restoration.com/..._body_lift.htm
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Old Jul 2, 2009 | 05:21 PM
  #9  
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thanks for the info. that one link has all the info for the dolly.

Here are some pics of the rust I have encountered. The frame is dirty so that's why its white/dirty.

this is from the driver side. I wasnt able to get pics of the crossmember or the passenger side.


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Old Jul 2, 2009 | 08:30 PM
  #10  
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What year is your Vette? You might be better off looking for a good used replacement frame rather than trying to fix that one. Check your trailing arms also. They might be rusted out and coming apart.



Rick B.
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Old Jul 2, 2009 | 10:25 PM
  #11  
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Yeah I checked this frame and been around it inside and out for the last nine years.

And im not scared of doing some grinding and welding. But if it is to bad I will replace it.

trailing arms are going to be rebuilt also. I am going to do a body off resto on it to see just how bad the rust is.
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