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1980-'82 frame rust

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Old Jun 6, 2003 | 03:17 PM
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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?
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Old Jun 6, 2003 | 03:41 PM
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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:
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Old Jun 6, 2003 | 03:50 PM
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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. :(
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Old Jun 6, 2003 | 03:56 PM
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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.
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Old Jun 6, 2003 | 09:54 PM
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Default Re: 1980-'82 frame rust (Twin_Turbo)

:iagree: They did nothing different to the later frames.
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Old Jun 7, 2003 | 05:06 AM
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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.
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Old Jun 7, 2003 | 07:30 AM
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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
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Old Jun 10, 2003 | 06:13 PM
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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
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Old Jun 10, 2003 | 06:52 PM
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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 :)
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Old Jun 10, 2003 | 07:08 PM
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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
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Old Jun 10, 2003 | 07:16 PM
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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
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