:confused:
frame repair sections
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: houston tx
frame repair sections
Does anyone know where i can get some frame repair panels for a 80 vette? can you repair this without pulling the body off? 
the car runs and drives ok now but i'm scared of the frame.... any help would be appreciated
the car runs and drives ok now but i'm scared of the frame.... any help would be appreciated
Pro
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 667
Likes: 3
From: College Station TX
Re: frame repair sections (houstoncajun)
Yep - Corvette Central, Beirs and others carry them. I've read where the repairs can be done without removing the body, but it is not easy ( ie. cheap ) either way...
Racer
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 485
Likes: 1
From: Dallas Texas
Re: frame repair sections (houstoncajun)
Paragon sells them as well. I think it would be difficult to repair it with the body on. You gotta weld them in and it would much easier to do it with the body off but either way you go it is going to be a PITA. Good luck.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: houston tx
Re: frame repair sections (houstoncajun)
Thanks guys,
I;m thinking I can lap weld the lower section in to form the box channel. right now it looks like a c looking at the ground. It has good metal holding it together so I'm thinking get the rust off then por 15 it then weld the channels back in while keeping the frame level. Do you think this is an ok way to do it? this is my first time trying to do this, am in over my head? :confused:
I;m thinking I can lap weld the lower section in to form the box channel. right now it looks like a c looking at the ground. It has good metal holding it together so I'm thinking get the rust off then por 15 it then weld the channels back in while keeping the frame level. Do you think this is an ok way to do it? this is my first time trying to do this, am in over my head? :confused:
Racer
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 306
Likes: 1
From: N. Charleston SC
Re: frame repair sections (houstoncajun)
Chris,
I dont mean to rain on your corvette parade, but the pictures of your frame look pretty bad. It becomes a saftey issue when a frame rotts from the inside out.... which I beleave the pictures you posted indicate. Many places wont work on a car that is rotted that bad because of the liability issues.
There are bound to be other areas that are equally rotted but can't be seen. There are probally several options... I understand cost is always an issue. Repairing may be good to a point for small sections - replacement may be better in the long run... and cheaper all arround. Not sure what your skills are... always best to get several opinions from shops in your area before making a decision.
Good luck!
I dont mean to rain on your corvette parade, but the pictures of your frame look pretty bad. It becomes a saftey issue when a frame rotts from the inside out.... which I beleave the pictures you posted indicate. Many places wont work on a car that is rotted that bad because of the liability issues.
There are bound to be other areas that are equally rotted but can't be seen. There are probally several options... I understand cost is always an issue. Repairing may be good to a point for small sections - replacement may be better in the long run... and cheaper all arround. Not sure what your skills are... always best to get several opinions from shops in your area before making a decision.
Good luck!
Racer
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 485
Likes: 1
From: Dallas Texas
Re: frame repair sections (houstoncajun)
Man that is ugly, but a typical location where they rust out. You might be able to make a U channel and weld it but don't know how substantial that will be. The frame is made from two pieces of basically U channel welded together. If it helps I have an old frame I can cut up and send you some of the frame rail. I was wondering how to get rid of it. I did use a small portion of the left rear prior to the kick up to fix my donor frame. If you buy replacements they will be the whole rail anyway. You might be able to cut mine in half and use that as your U channel. You can take your rocker panel off and that gives you some more room but on the inside portion it is going to be tight. I still think you are better off lifting the body as you can do a better job of repair. Let me know if you would like to try the frame rail I have it's yours for the shipping. Good luck
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,162
Likes: 2
From: Beaverton, OR
Re: frame repair sections (houstoncajun)
Thanks guys,
I;m thinking I can lap weld the lower section in to form the box channel. right now it looks like a c looking at the ground. It has good metal holding it together so I'm thinking get the rust off then por 15 it then weld the channels back in while keeping the frame level. Do you think this is an ok way to do it? this is my first time trying to do this, am in over my head? :confused:
I;m thinking I can lap weld the lower section in to form the box channel. right now it looks like a c looking at the ground. It has good metal holding it together so I'm thinking get the rust off then por 15 it then weld the channels back in while keeping the frame level. Do you think this is an ok way to do it? this is my first time trying to do this, am in over my head? :confused:
In the case of your frame, I'd find a donor car, that looks downright scary to me.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,098
Likes: 378
From: Las Vegas - Just stop perpetuating myths please.
Re: frame repair sections (Red69)
Chris,
I dont mean to rain on your corvette parade, but the pictures of your frame look pretty bad. It becomes a saftey issue when a frame rotts from the inside out.... which I beleave the pictures you posted indicate. Many places wont work on a car that is rotted that bad because of the liability issues.
There are bound to be other areas that are equally rotted but can't be seen. There are probally several options... I understand cost is always an issue. Repairing may be good to a point for small sections - replacement may be better in the long run... and cheaper all arround. Not sure what your skills are... always best to get several opinions from shops in your area before making a decision.
Good luck!
I dont mean to rain on your corvette parade, but the pictures of your frame look pretty bad. It becomes a saftey issue when a frame rotts from the inside out.... which I beleave the pictures you posted indicate. Many places wont work on a car that is rotted that bad because of the liability issues.
There are bound to be other areas that are equally rotted but can't be seen. There are probally several options... I understand cost is always an issue. Repairing may be good to a point for small sections - replacement may be better in the long run... and cheaper all arround. Not sure what your skills are... always best to get several opinions from shops in your area before making a decision.
Good luck!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 912
Likes: 1
From: San Antonio TX
St. Jude Contributor '03 & '04
Re: frame repair sections (houstoncajun)
Where did that car come from? I hope not Texas.
I just went through some major frame repairs on mine, but it's problems were collision damage, not rust. Nevertheless, the cost of repair pieces was about $1600 and $800 for a frame pro to weld it.
I think you can find a replacement frame for a lot less. I've seen good ones for $1200-1500.
If you do weld pieces on it, then spray it with weld-through primer first, not POR 15.
[Modified by gary6696, 4:12 AM 8/26/2003]
I just went through some major frame repairs on mine, but it's problems were collision damage, not rust. Nevertheless, the cost of repair pieces was about $1600 and $800 for a frame pro to weld it.
I think you can find a replacement frame for a lot less. I've seen good ones for $1200-1500.
If you do weld pieces on it, then spray it with weld-through primer first, not POR 15.
[Modified by gary6696, 4:12 AM 8/26/2003]
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 4,660
Likes: 3
From: South Central Louisiana
St. Jude Contributor
Re: frame repair sections (Red69)
Chris,
I dont mean to rain on your corvette parade, but the pictures of your frame look pretty bad. It becomes a saftey issue when a frame rotts from the inside out.... which I beleave the pictures you posted indicate. Many places wont work on a car that is rotted that bad because of the liability issues.
There are bound to be other areas that are equally rotted but can't be seen. There are probally several options... I understand cost is always an issue. Repairing may be good to a point for small sections - replacement may be better in the long run... and cheaper all arround. Not sure what your skills are... always best to get several opinions from shops in your area before making a decision.
Good luck!
I dont mean to rain on your corvette parade, but the pictures of your frame look pretty bad. It becomes a saftey issue when a frame rotts from the inside out.... which I beleave the pictures you posted indicate. Many places wont work on a car that is rotted that bad because of the liability issues.
There are bound to be other areas that are equally rotted but can't be seen. There are probally several options... I understand cost is always an issue. Repairing may be good to a point for small sections - replacement may be better in the long run... and cheaper all arround. Not sure what your skills are... always best to get several opinions from shops in your area before making a decision.
Good luck!
