I thinking about buying an vette and those guys told me about birdcage rust out in the forrum. Can you explain how its fixed or repaired . How can check for it before you buy an car. Is the car an totol loss or not worth fixing if it has birdcage rust out. I would like see photes if you have any thank. How must does it cost and how is it repaired?

 

Hello

I have a 68 vette it it will be getteing the frame repaired later this year- Most parts are availabe via Zips, Corvette Central etc. The parts are reasonable and labor -well you need a good shop to do the cutting and welding. My vette will have the body removed and the frame repalced from the front door posts back, rust proofrd and painted- parts and labor $ 6,500.00 not to bad for a new frame. This is why these cars with frame off restos cost so darn much money.
The bird cage replacement parts are availabe- my bird cage is good but the frame has a real bad section behind the drivers door rear post. So I will get both sides rebuilt as long as the body has to be removed.
P.s 40 hours shop time to remove and reinstall the body, 35 hours cut and weld the frame, and paint it and $ 2,000 in parts. The car is original and # matching so it is worth putting the money into it. I would not suggest it on an non # matching bumpers vette.

 

Whether it's worth fixing birdcage rusts depends on how extensive it is, if the car will have enough value once the repairs are done to justify the expense, and how much work YOU can do.

Most common rust areas on C3 bircages are the windshield frame and #2 mount area. To fix the windshield frame, the glass needs to come out. If the rust is confined to the upper section the repair can be done by either patching or replacing sections with new or donor parts. Cutting and splicing parts is not for people with novice skills. If there's rust on the bottom corners or bottom windshield frame, it's tougher to fix. Requires more disassembly. Rust can extend under the fenders and bonding strips. To repair rust in this area requires removing the entire front clip or cut the fenders to gain access to this area. Repair the fenders and hood surround after fixing. Rust in the birdcage below the bottom windshield corners gets very expensive to fix. I've seen people fix birdcages which are badly rusted, generally do the work themselves. A LOT OF LABOR and body work involved.

Areas to check before buying are the #2 mount area. Remove the interior kick panels. #2 mount is behind them. Look for flakes of rust in this area, either rusted around the mounts or flakes falling from the windhshield frame above. Some surface rust is typical.

Check carefully around the windshield. Sometimes you can see rust swelling the metal where two pieces of steel overlap, rusting between the layers. If you see owner added sealer applied to the trim around the windshield, it's a red flag. They probably had a water leak which happens when rust penetrates the windshield frame.

Wet carpets or a musty smell is another tip off.

If rust is severe it may affect the door hinge pillars or rocker channels.
Doors may not line up properly.

Last area which comes to mind is the #3 mount, in front to the rear wheels.

Vendors are now reproducing the header, pillars, lower frame, and in some cases lower corners for C3's. Replacement rocker channels are also available. Other option would be parts from donor car.

If the car has lived in the rust belt, it's not uncommon to find some rust in the windshield frame. It can be fixed but not cheap. Rust in the lower sections may be cost prohibitive to repair unless you can do the work yourself.

If you do a search on birdcage rust you'll find many pictures.

Maybe take someone who is familar with C3 rust issues with you if you have a candidate in mind.

 

Would it be cheaper to replace the frame with a new one? I thought I saw some for about $4500... Don't remember where. I think Caledonia supplies parts, maybe new frames as well.

If you change the frame, lose the VIN, is the car still numbers matching? Suppose you could restamp if necessary...

If your frame is that rusted, how are the rocker channels, #2 and #3 mounts? Good windshield frame?

 

Birdcage rust pictures from Binnies site.
http://corvettec3.ca/rustpics/index.html

 

some stuff there make ya cringe....

 

Here are some photos of my birdcage. As bad as it looks these were repairable with replacement parts..., ,,

 

Here are some of the post repair photos. Amazing Some guys have tone of talent..,,

 

Ouch!!
The lower corners looked pretty rough. Did you remove the front clip or cut the fenders? The area looks exposed.. Appears to be a nice repair job.

 

The front clip was removed to do repairs to both lower corners. The inside lowers were still solid so repairs were done in the corners. Had the work done by DUB @ Corvettes Etc.

 

Did you remove the clip yourself or did the shop?
Did they use donor parts or reproductions?
If you don't mind sharing, how much did this repair cost?

 

Is this the same Dub who owns Corvettes etc in Charlotte, NC?
Around 2 years ago while driving my Black 70 Coupe down from Rhode Island to Georgia, my hood developed a split on the passenger side at the front directly above and parallel to the mounting bracket. It was a nasty split about 5 inches and I thought that I was going to have to get a new hood. One of my planned stops was in Charlotte, NC. While hanging at my buds house, I Googled Corvette shops in the area. Dub's came up and I gave it whirl. He is an incredibly talented body man and mechanic. He is an honest, straight shooter who offers a fair price for excellent work.

 

That's the one. That is why he is painting my car and doing the body work. He is a craftsman at his best, you can't go wrong with him.

 

BBcon70 Sorry I can't quote you a price this was part of the quote for the entire job. Paint and body work.

 

I dont mean to divert the thread, But I have an 81 that has significant amount of rust in what I think you are calling the #2 body mount location (drivers side kick panel). I do not have any plans to spend the kind of time and money that it would take to pull the body, is there anything I can do or should do to fix, improve or stop the damage?

 

CFD_E59,
Yup, when it's time for body work and paint, my 70's going for a road trip to Charlotte! Dub is the man.

 

I am in the middle of a birdcage replacement on my 77. I can post pics of the old (rusted) birdcage and the replacement unit (salvage). I'm currently at the stage of reattaching the BC to the frame and will be reassemling the body and all the interior. I've put a great deal of time and work into it to this point because there is always something you can find to fix - as long as you're right there. I was pretty "green" when I bought this car. Now I know exactly what to look for.

 

Maybe clean it out as best you can and paint the area with POR-15 or some other rust inhibiting paint? At least stop the rust from progressing further. If you have a hole, it may be possible to patch it while on the car. Depends on where it is, what's on the other side, etc.

 

I wont fill up the post with my pictures but you can look at my photo album in my profile to see what I am up to as far as rust.

If you have to have someone else install the parts you better have deep pockets and a reputable shop.

I've personaly replaced 3/4 of my frame (firewall back) due to rust. The replacement section came from Vetteproducts.

I just got done replacing my windshield header and corners. Got those from Zip.

I am now on my way to my rocker channels which I am going to repair with the 3 piece rocker channel inserts. Got those from Zip.

As long as I can get or make the parts and install them myself I am going to keep playing with my toys. I've saved allot of money doing it myself, but most of all I relish the challenge. However, I am itching to drive this thing already. Been on the dolly for over 2 years now.

 

Most of the Vettes here and C3 Vettes in general have some rust, some have allot some not too much, if it's not too bad your C3 will be around long after your in Corvetteland