Time involved to check the frame?
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 56
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From: Kingsville, ON, Canada
Time involved to check the frame?
I've got a '75 Vette, that my mechanic is suggesting I take to a body shop, and have them lift the body off the frame to check it for rust. Any rough idea on the time involved to do this? Just trying to figure out the cost involved...
He's suggesting doing this before doing any more serious work, just to make sure there is no hidden rush damage.
He's suggesting doing this before doing any more serious work, just to make sure there is no hidden rush damage.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
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From: Forked River NJ
You can do a very good job of inspecting the frame for rust with the body on. To remove the body is quite a task to just check it for rust. Find someone in your area who specializes in Vetts and have them check the usual spots for rust. It will be pretty evident if there is rust that needs to be replaced with the body on.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 10,643
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From: Foxfield CO 1970 Convertible
No need to remove the body - all important parts of the frame are visible. A knowledgable person could examine it in a half hour or so if they are measuring the thickness of the metal. Another thing they might be able to check is whether the frame has ever been bent (ie, in an accident).
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,161
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From: pr, frederick md.
pretty much the only part of the frame you cant see is the top of it. pulling the body is a MAJOR task, that i would NEVER let a shop do. unless it was a vette shop. even then youd better be rich and prepared to bend over. 
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Quincy IL
i checked my 79's frame before i bought it by lying on the ground and using a flashlight, even though it was a sunny day. check the frame "kick up" area where the trailing arms attach and also the area immediately in front of the rear wheels. there is a hole in the frame about the size of a quarter, carefully put a finger in the hole and feel for layers of rust. there will be some, but it shouldn't be to bad. check for metal "bubbling" along the windshield frame, and look for rust or dirty spots on the carpet inside under the dashboard. these spots mean that the "well" in front of the windshield has possibly rusted thru (a body off experience to fix and expensive). it could also only mean that the caulking in the "well" has dried up and is allowing water to seep thru. check the wiper "well" to see if it's full of debris and see if the vents or drains are open on the outboard sides of the well. also check the trailing arms for rust holes or split welds.
