75 windshield frame repalcement
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Coloma Mi chigan
75 windshield frame repalcement
Hi! The windshield frame on my c3 is rusted out, so me and my dad want to get it fixed. We have the parts (two side pieces and one top piece), but neither of us have any experience in wielding. How much would it be to get it repaired? Thanks!
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,524
Likes: 61
From: Medina Ohio
You need to do your research and read the many previous discussions on the windshield frame and "birdcage". Your car has the CANCER of the C3 Corvette. I've been there...
Here's what you need to do, pull the kick panels off on the interior and inspect what the #2 body mount area looks like. What happens is the windshield rotts in the upper corners, water intrusion runs down the windshield frame rotting it away, and down the birdcage into the body mount pocket and then onto the floors. If your cancer has been around awhile, your car may be doomed.
Have you removed all of the interior and exterior windshield & t-top trim? Have you removed the windshield? There is no solid diagnosis until the windshield is out. Mine looked great prior too...
How are the floors? How is the mount pocket? While your at it, how is the frame in front of the rear wheels?
IF it is limited to just the upper corners, it is repairable, but being one that welds and does this stuff myself, I can only imagine it would be quite an expense if taken to a shop. If your lower windshield corners are bad, then it is VERY in depth with removing the front end and firewall to make the repair. Without the ability to weld and do the work yourself, you better have really deep pockets and a car that is worth it.
To put it in perspective, with the ability to weld and make the repair, I ended up buying a different car body/birdcage to use on my build.
I do not mean to scare you, and your car may only need minor repair, buy you really need to know what to look for and thoroughly inspect what is going on before throwing an A-pillar or windshield corner repair at it.
Good luck. BTW, it always helps to give details of your car (year, etc.) and photos are always nice in helping diagnose.
Here's what you need to do, pull the kick panels off on the interior and inspect what the #2 body mount area looks like. What happens is the windshield rotts in the upper corners, water intrusion runs down the windshield frame rotting it away, and down the birdcage into the body mount pocket and then onto the floors. If your cancer has been around awhile, your car may be doomed.
Have you removed all of the interior and exterior windshield & t-top trim? Have you removed the windshield? There is no solid diagnosis until the windshield is out. Mine looked great prior too...
How are the floors? How is the mount pocket? While your at it, how is the frame in front of the rear wheels?
IF it is limited to just the upper corners, it is repairable, but being one that welds and does this stuff myself, I can only imagine it would be quite an expense if taken to a shop. If your lower windshield corners are bad, then it is VERY in depth with removing the front end and firewall to make the repair. Without the ability to weld and do the work yourself, you better have really deep pockets and a car that is worth it.
To put it in perspective, with the ability to weld and make the repair, I ended up buying a different car body/birdcage to use on my build.
I do not mean to scare you, and your car may only need minor repair, buy you really need to know what to look for and thoroughly inspect what is going on before throwing an A-pillar or windshield corner repair at it.
Good luck. BTW, it always helps to give details of your car (year, etc.) and photos are always nice in helping diagnose.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,850
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Years ago I wrote this on how to replace the header...
Corvette Windshield Frame Installation Help 1968-1982
About a year ago, something in the header changed. I've been in contact with the manufacturer of this part and current have one of their proto's to install in our jig with the idea of helping them make the needed correction.
It won't matter where you purchased the header from, there is only one manufacturer.
You can use the new header to repair the old header and that would be the best advice I can give you. If you post some pictures possible me or someone else here can offer more advice.
Willcox
Last edited by Willcox Corvette; Jan 10, 2015 at 12:57 PM.
