Need Frame Welded
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 328
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Need Frame Welded
MY frame has a few spots rusted the whole way through. The worst spot is under the drivers side door towards the front it has about a 1" X 3" hole completly rusted through.Also a few spots on the back where the frame starts to go up towards the back wheel. Can these frames be safley welded without removing the body ? Have any of you reading this had a lot of frame damage repaired without a body off restoration? Do any of you know of a shop that could do this , For a reasonable price , around Lancaster PA. ?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,865
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From: I may be getting old but I refuse to grow up
Others that have been there done that should chime in but if it looks bad with the body on it will probably be worse when you get the body off
This looked salvagable until I pulled the body off
Steve
This looked salvagable until I pulled the body off
Steve
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Bakowsky Toronto
The frames on these cars are very prone to rust in the area you have described. It maybe a good idea to explore the rocker chanel and the rearward doorjam metal(were the door stricker is located) for rust aswell. You may have to cut some fiberglass to further investigate this. You can remove the access panel in the rear wheel well for the body mount for a quick check. You will need a good flash light and a scrapper. To check the rocker channel..remove the lower trim peice the goes under the door. Reach up underneith between the frame of the car and the fiberglass. You will feel some metal under there. If you can move this metal with just finger pressure or if it starts flakeing away then you have some rust issues that will need to be taken care of.
HTH
Tom.
HTH
Tom.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 18,191
Likes: 145
From: Snake handler
My frame was similarly hammered. Couldn't really see it fully until the body came off. This can be very dangerous to drive. Also, fiberglass is flammable! Welding in close proximity to the body could cause a fire.
If you are serious about your car - pull the body off. Repairing the frame is no small job. In fact, I replaced my entire frame (found an 82 frame for $200.00 or so) Had to fab up the rear part but it came out straight as a rail and the body fit the first time!
If you don't think the car is worth it - get rid of it and start with another. Just my 2 cents...
If you are serious about your car - pull the body off. Repairing the frame is no small job. In fact, I replaced my entire frame (found an 82 frame for $200.00 or so) Had to fab up the rear part but it came out straight as a rail and the body fit the first time!
If you don't think the car is worth it - get rid of it and start with another. Just my 2 cents...
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,865
Likes: 1
From: I may be getting old but I refuse to grow up
Originally Posted by rustbucket80
How could that frame you pictured stay together?
That was the worst side and it didn't take much to cut throught it but believe it or not it held my weight when I stood on it
Steve
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 328
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Originally Posted by stpman
That was the worst side and it didn't take much to cut throught it but believe it or not it held my weight when I stood on it
Steve
Steve