C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

1980-'82 frame rust

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 6, 2003 | 03:17 PM
  #1  
DSKRALL's Avatar
DSKRALL
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 238
Likes: 1
Default 1980-'82 frame rust

I have the impression that the frames on the '80-'82s were protected against rust more effectively than the frames on earlier C3s. Is this true? I am also guessing that fewer of the late C3s were driven in the winter because they cost more than the earlier cars and because Corvettes were gaining a higher status than they had before. Any opinions?
Reply
Old Jun 6, 2003 | 03:41 PM
  #2  
MikeC's Avatar
MikeC
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,635
Likes: 0
From: Union Ontario
Default Re: 1980-'82 frame rust (DSKRALL)

The old frame was made for many years while the 80-82 frame was made for 3 years..... making less of them around to get when your frame is toast. I don't thinkits because less people drove them in the winter. In fact since the price for them is higher, maybe more people drove them in the winter causing a higher demand on replacement frames and therefore increasing the price.:rolleyes:

I have heard nothing about better protection from rust on earlier frames...... even new frames don't have rust protection other than the paint. :yesnod:
Reply
Old Jun 6, 2003 | 03:50 PM
  #3  
WashingtonRacer's Avatar
WashingtonRacer
Pro
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 708
Likes: 0
From: Renton Wa
Default Re: 1980-'82 frame rust (MikeC)

well my 80 was from Hawaii, and aside from the fact that the previous owner sprayed a protetive coating all over the frame" their is very little if any rust. just a little surface rust. Now the same does not hold true for the birdcage or the kickpanels Body mount locations, those got all rusted up. :(
Reply
Old Jun 6, 2003 | 03:56 PM
  #4  
Twin_Turbo's Avatar
Twin_Turbo
Race Director
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 16,945
Likes: 9
Default Re: 1980-'82 frame rust (WashingtonRacer)

There's no additional stuff on 80-82 frames, the birdcage is bare metal too. The fact that they aren't as rusted must be that they are younger cars.
Reply
Old Jun 6, 2003 | 09:54 PM
  #5  
Detroit Vette's Avatar
Detroit Vette
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,335
Likes: 1
Default Re: 1980-'82 frame rust (Twin_Turbo)

:iagree: They did nothing different to the later frames.
Reply
Old Jun 7, 2003 | 05:06 AM
  #6  
Twin_Turbo's Avatar
Twin_Turbo
Race Director
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 16,945
Likes: 9
Default Re: 1980-'82 frame rust (sdixon)

in fact, it seems that the earlier cars even have some kind of zinc-chromate primer on the birdcage, we don't even have that.... at least I didn't.
Reply
Old Jun 7, 2003 | 07:30 AM
  #7  
Dalannex's Avatar
Dalannex
Safety Car
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 4,078
Likes: 27
From: Northeast South Dakota
Default Re: 1980-'82 frame rust (DSKRALL)

I don't think there's anything special on the frames or earlier C3's. They just don't have as many years on them. But if your frame is rusty, the 80-82 frames are easy to find and cheap. So that's good. :yesnod:

-Justin
Reply
Old Jun 10, 2003 | 06:13 PM
  #8  
DSKRALL's Avatar
DSKRALL
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 238
Likes: 1
Default Re: 1980-'82 frame rust (Dalannex)

I want to thank everyone who answered my questions. It's unfortunate that the '80-'82 frames didn't receive better rust protection than their predecessors. DSKRALL
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Corvettes to Drive Before You Die!

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Corvette & Porsche 911: How Two Icons Conquered the Last 25 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 First Look: Everything You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
Old Jun 10, 2003 | 06:52 PM
  #9  
Twin_Turbo's Avatar
Twin_Turbo
Race Director
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 16,945
Likes: 9
Default Re: 1980-'82 frame rust (DSKRALL)

the general didn't build hem so they would be on the roads today, frame coating is a DIY thing :)
Reply
Old Jun 10, 2003 | 07:08 PM
  #10  
BigBadRed's Avatar
BigBadRed
Race Director
10 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 14,376
Likes: 1
From: Check this riff........
Default Re: 1980-'82 frame rust (Twin_Turbo)

What exactly is the bird cage, and how do you check it for rust when looking at a c-3. Where do you look for the body mount condition?

Thanks,

--marc
Reply
Old Jun 10, 2003 | 07:16 PM
  #11  
Twin_Turbo's Avatar
Twin_Turbo
Race Director
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 16,945
Likes: 9
Default Re: 1980-'82 frame rust (BigBadOrange)

the bird cage is the metal frame inside the body.

Basiacally, it consists of the A pillar, windshield frame, the rockers, the b-pillar (roof hoop)

To check for rust you have to look under the dash, a pillar can be checked by removing the kickpanels, for the rocker channel you need to remove the fiberglass on top of it or lift up the body.

Marck
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To 1980-'82 frame rust





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:53 PM.

story-0
10 Corvettes to Drive Before You Die!

Slideshow: 10 Corvettes to drive before you die.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-23 08:31:12


VIEW MORE
story-1
Corvette & Porsche 911: How Two Icons Conquered the Last 25 Years

Slideshow: Corvette and Porsche 911, how two icons conquered the last 25 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-23 08:18:33


VIEW MORE
story-2
2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 First Look: Everything You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Is the 2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 the best Silverado yet?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-16 08:01:12


VIEW MORE
story-3
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers

Slideshow: 5 best and 5 worst Corvette daily drivers

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-15 10:32:13


VIEW MORE
story-4
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained

Slideshow: The headlights of every Corvette generation explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-15 10:17:14


VIEW MORE
story-5
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 most overrated Corvette track packages ever.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:46:45


VIEW MORE
story-6
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

Slideshow: Every 2027 Corvette engine explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:16:31


VIEW MORE
story-7
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-08 19:53:43


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE