C3 Frame Rust
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 12,246
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From: BC
C3 Frame Rust
Help please. We looked at a '73 today which is sound except for the rear part of the frame in front of the rear wheels. The box end is intact on both sides however one side has a hole about 3/4" square in the side of it. Both sides have heavy scale and small loose pieces inside the frame. The metal on both appears sound around the corrosion. Any ideas on how to gauge how thick the metal is/ how to determine if sound. If it is a simple patch job we would like to buy this but not if it turns into a metal fabrication nightmare. Thanks for any guidance.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 4,269
Likes: 3
From: St. Charles IL
Cruise-In 5-6-7-8-9-11-12 Veteran
A CI-6 Car Show Winner
Re: C3 Frame Rust (Micky T)
I think eastwood has a device that will tell material thickness. If you have visible holes, very good chance there are holes you can't see without the body off. Had the same problem with my 75, good luck with whatever you decide to do.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Re: C3 Frame Rust (Micky T)
Just figger on replacing the frame about 1/2 way up to the front....
trying to weld on rusty metal is about impossible....need solid steel,
replace frame....
GENE
trying to weld on rusty metal is about impossible....need solid steel,
replace frame....
GENE
Racer
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 485
Likes: 1
From: Dallas Texas
Re: C3 Frame Rust (Micky T)
As the others have said be very careful. It may not look like much on the outside but it is on the inside it is the worst. The frame is thin to begin with and any significant rust will make it like paper and you will have a heck of a time welding it to fix it.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Toronto Ont
Re: C3 Frame Rust (DVG73)
Welcome to C3 Rot. This is also known as Vette rot. If the rest of the vette is in great shape then I suggest you take it to a good body shop and have them take a good look, if the frame is shot then just walk. If more people sprayed the frame with oil then we would have more solid vettes on the road. My frame is solid because I and a few owners before me rust-checked the vette with a oil spray.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 12,246
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From: BC
Re: C3 Frame Rust (Toronto-C3)
thanks to all who responded. this forum is awesome. I will take it to a corvette shop and decide from there. too bad, new engine, trans etc for $8000 canadian.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 3,365
Likes: 5
From: Lake Villa IL
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Contributor
Re: C3 Frame Rust (Micky T)
A nice chunk of my Vette's frame was nearly gone (driver's side). I had a hell of a time finding someone who would even go near the car. I finally found guy who does custom fabrication for historical homes. He'd done some Vettes and knew the drill. One day and $600 later, I had my car back. He had to cut it all out, and section in new pieces. If I were to do it over, I'd still take it to him, but I'd buy the frame section. It might be less expensive.
At any rate, it's strong as anything, and it looks stock.
At any rate, it's strong as anything, and it looks stock.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,944
Likes: 20
From: The only Corvettes in Highett Victoria
Re: C3 Frame Rust (Micky T)
Micky T,
Just saw your query. I have read an article in Corvette Fever on frame rust, and I'm sure that they mentioned a U.S. vendor who makes just that section of frame to weld in after the rusty piece is cut out. I believe that this section of frame is notorious for rust, but rarely never anywhere else. If that is the only rusty part of the car, go for it. I wish I had access to a '73 at that price.
Regards from Down Under
aussiejohn
Just saw your query. I have read an article in Corvette Fever on frame rust, and I'm sure that they mentioned a U.S. vendor who makes just that section of frame to weld in after the rusty piece is cut out. I believe that this section of frame is notorious for rust, but rarely never anywhere else. If that is the only rusty part of the car, go for it. I wish I had access to a '73 at that price.
Regards from Down Under
aussiejohn
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 12,246
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From: BC
Re: C3 Frame Rust (aussiejohn)
Yeah I read it in one of the vette mags once upon a time too but i have about 4 boxes of mags to try and find it. The car is real decent other than this problem but gotta admit this scares me. Gotta get it checked out by someone with experience so I can either proceed or pass. Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,635
Likes: 0
From: Union Ontario
Re: C3 Frame Rust (Micky T)
That enough information.......
My rust started out like yours but withing 3 years( good weather car only) it turned out like this........ It didn't look extremely bad until I started cleaning the flakes off.
Its fixed temporarily for now... but I'm gonna get a new frame..... screw fixing it, its not worth the trouble.
[Modified by MikeC, 9:28 AM 9/30/2002]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,629
Likes: 7
From: Lawrenceville PA
Re: C3 Frame Rust (Micky T)
RUN, don't walk away from that car! I speak from the experience of having purchased a Vette with a rusty frame. Never buy a Vette with frame rust unless you have mighty deep pockets. My frame replacement cost me in excess of $10,000.00 when you consider all the little "extras" I ended up replacing as well. If the frame's rotten, then think of all the other chassis components that are probably rotten as well. Keep looking.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Re: C3 Frame Rust (Micky T)
Hey Mickey,
I usually say this last, but : PROCEED WITH CAUTION.
With that said, take a look through my '75 pics in my website (in sig). These will
illustrate all of the potential issues that your '73 may possess.
My 75 looked pretty decent (though I KNEW there was rot issues) before
taking the body off. Once the body comes up, all kinds of stuff will be uncovered.
Note - in particular - the drivers side rear kickup on my 75. The metal looked
to be rotting around here a little. Upon lifting the body - I see that it has
totally cracked loose in the front (previously hidden). I'm lucky it didn't
break loose when I was driving.
I hope your situation is better than this. Someone with a borescope
would be able to peek into these otherwise restricted areas.
The biggest PITA won't be fixing the frame, so much as removing the body
and replacing all kinds of things that you find along the way.
Good Luck
:seeya
I usually say this last, but : PROCEED WITH CAUTION.
With that said, take a look through my '75 pics in my website (in sig). These will
illustrate all of the potential issues that your '73 may possess.
My 75 looked pretty decent (though I KNEW there was rot issues) before
taking the body off. Once the body comes up, all kinds of stuff will be uncovered.
Note - in particular - the drivers side rear kickup on my 75. The metal looked
to be rotting around here a little. Upon lifting the body - I see that it has
totally cracked loose in the front (previously hidden). I'm lucky it didn't
break loose when I was driving.
I hope your situation is better than this. Someone with a borescope
would be able to peek into these otherwise restricted areas.
The biggest PITA won't be fixing the frame, so much as removing the body
and replacing all kinds of things that you find along the way.
Good Luck
:seeya
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: Fall River N.S.
Cruise-In V Veteran
Senior Member
Re: C3 Frame Rust (Micky T)
Micky T
You can check the thickness of the remaining metal using an ultrasonic thickness guage. If you Know anyone in the Non Destructive testing field they should be able to help. This takes only a few minutes and will allow you to determine the extent of wall loss and how for the corrosion goes without damaging or removing any parts.
Runamuck
You can check the thickness of the remaining metal using an ultrasonic thickness guage. If you Know anyone in the Non Destructive testing field they should be able to help. This takes only a few minutes and will allow you to determine the extent of wall loss and how for the corrosion goes without damaging or removing any parts.
Runamuck
