Birdcage on a C3...???
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 19,777
Likes: 4,592
From: Canada's capital
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C1 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Birdcage on a C3...???
While I know how to check the birdcage on a C2, I'm not familiar how to do it on a later model. Any pointers?
We have a chance on a 76 from the original owner for 3500$ and want to check the bones. Thanks.
We have a chance on a 76 from the original owner for 3500$ and want to check the bones. Thanks.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 15
From: Oxford Ohio
I have one in the shop now that's killed. Inside the kick panels ad the upper corners of the windshield and the bottom corners of the windshield.
I'm sure the guys with the body experience on here will have more defined answers for you. That's just where I've found issues with the one in here for engine work.
I'm sure the guys with the body experience on here will have more defined answers for you. That's just where I've found issues with the one in here for engine work.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,968
Likes: 44
From: East TN
Check all the body mounting positions for corrosion. Position 1 is in the rear engine compartment, 2 is behind the kick panels, position 3 is behind a panel in the front of the rear wheel wells and position 4 is in the back of the rear wheel wells. Also check the window frame as posted earlier.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,939
Likes: 199
From: Palm Bay Florida
First look thru W/S at side posts for rust then at base of glass where fibreglass firewall rivets to birdcage if possible remove kick panels check #2 body mount pocket then open doors 1/2 way and twist watching hinge pillar for movement if all that looks good its should be OK. better to pass on a questionable one than buy a nightmare
Mark
Mark
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
First look thru W/S at side posts for rust then at base of glass where fibreglass firewall rivets to birdcage if possible remove kick panels check #2 body mount pocket then open doors 1/2 way and twist watching hinge pillar for movement if all that looks good its should be OK. better to pass on a questionable one than buy a nightmare
Mark
Mark
with both. Remove the kick panels as a first step. If that fails, run for the hills.Run a business card around the inside edge of the windshield watching for rust flakes to fall out.
Later C3s have steel floors which can be nasty.
The frame issues are the same as a C2.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,098
Likes: 378
From: Las Vegas - Just stop perpetuating myths please.
U can see frame rust if there is some using a flashlight in the thin gap between the fiberglass side panel (below the running boards) and the frame. This is the low area where water will run to and collect between body mounts #2 & #3 and the lower part of the birdcage attaches here (called frame rails?).
As said previous remove the kick panel inside the passenger compartment for body mounts #2. Also remove the panels in the rear wheel wells for mounts #3. These body mount areas are where the "birdcage" connects the body to the frame. Large amounts of rust here will not allow u to replace the body mounts - without lifting the body and replacing the frame rails or even the birdcage and frame. The body mount nuts are captured or welded but with corrosion will easily break free and turn when trying to tighten the mount bolts into them.
Good luck,
cardo0
As said previous remove the kick panel inside the passenger compartment for body mounts #2. Also remove the panels in the rear wheel wells for mounts #3. These body mount areas are where the "birdcage" connects the body to the frame. Large amounts of rust here will not allow u to replace the body mounts - without lifting the body and replacing the frame rails or even the birdcage and frame. The body mount nuts are captured or welded but with corrosion will easily break free and turn when trying to tighten the mount bolts into them.
Good luck,
cardo0
