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Topic: to do a frame off restore or not??

in Forum: C3 Body

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to do a frame off restore or not??

Posted: 6/23/08 12:30pm Message 1 of 15
80VetteMan
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Joined: 4/29/2008
Posts: 129
I have a 80 vette and it has a lot of rust. I allways wanted to do a complete restore but this will be my first one ifi do it...   i an looking for where to start. are there any good books out there on this? I am no looking to bring it back to all org. just want to know that once I am done I have a good solid car =)

80VetteMan2008-06-23 12:31:06


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to do a frame off restore or not??

Posted: 6/23/08 1:29pm Message 2 of 15
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Sarge81
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WEST SENECA, NY - USA
Joined: 12/3/2001
Posts: 2379
Vette(s): 1981 Blue Ice Met. w/pearl ghost flames TKO500 5speed. LS1 Swap 3.45 Dana 44.
Can you elaborate on how much of a rust issue the car has?
 
An AIM Manual is a good book to get.




GEN III 5.7L "LS6" Engine swap
TKO500 5 spd.
3.54 Dana 44
'69 "N11" Sidepipes
Borgeson Steering Box
Born 8/1981
Sequence #3975




Click here to see more pics of my Vette on CarDomain.


Lifetime Member #26

to do a frame off restore or not??

Posted: 6/24/08 4:29am Message 3 of 15
mikeee
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Oviedo, FL - USA
Joined: 9/8/2006
Posts: 267
Vette(s): 1977 t-top
Hi Joe, A few things to ponder(cool word),In the last 15 years I have done frame off restoration on 7 Model T Fords.The Corvette is a whole different deal.If the body comes off for resto where do you store the body? Where do you store ALL those parts.If you are retired and have tons of time thats great,but the resto is going to take 18 mos. regardless,assuming you have unlimited funds.More than 18 mos.if your on a budget.After 12 mos. your thinking you have a part time job just working on the car.I took every part off my 77 except the dash and steering column in the last year but left the car on the frame,mainly because I have no room to work.But if your a carmaniac like some of us it's not as bad as I have made it sound.


to do a frame off restore or not??

Posted: 6/24/08 5:45am Message 4 of 15
80VetteMan
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Joined: 4/29/2008
Posts: 129
well, I have the AIM... and i am finding rust in the birdcage.. I just dont know if it is bad enough to warrant a frame off or maybe a replace... I will take some pics.. and post them later today...

Joe


to do a frame off restore or not??

Posted: 6/24/08 6:47am Message 5 of 15
6880Mike
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Horse Cave, KY - USA
Joined: 10/22/2007
Posts: 488
Vette(s): 1968 convertible; 1980 L-82
There are several Corvette restoration books on the market by authors who have gone the frame-off route.  I would purchase three or four and read how the others have done it before launching a project of this size.  There are thousands of things to consider before and during a restoration.
 
Smile



to do a frame off restore or not??

Posted: 6/24/08 8:49am Message 6 of 15
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Redwingvette
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Waterford, MI - USA
Joined: 9/13/2002
Posts: 1749
Vette(s): 1973 Red coupe
If you want to do it right then take the body off. But be forwarned, the "while-your-at-its" will make this a long and expensive process.
 
Check my home page for body-off info.



Brian - NCM Lifetime Member

73 coupe L48, Flat-top pistons, Performer RPM Heads, Crane Cam and roller rockers, Holley 650 vac sec. Performer intake,
3.55 gear BTO 200-4R trans,
Leather seats, Seatbelt Plus 3point seatbelts, Pioneer CD player
Magnaflow Exhuast System

Dewitt radiator and dual electric fans
Borgeson Steering box
 


to do a frame off restore or not??

Posted: 6/25/08 1:38pm Message 7 of 15
80VetteMan
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Joined: 4/29/2008
Posts: 129
the "while-your-at-its" is the problem i am having now

hahaha...


to do a frame off restore or not??

Posted: 6/25/08 2:34pm Message 8 of 15
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indy99
Former Member
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Newport, MI - USA
Joined: 6/9/2005
Posts: 932
Vette(s): 1980 L-48 still in the middle of a frame-off.
You will need funds to do the project.  Are you planning to do any mods?  Do you have a building that you can work on it without being interrupted by people? Do you have the tools and supplies???
 
These are just a few of the questions you need to ask yourself before starting.  Be ready to encounter a lot of problems and issues that will come up.  Are you absolutely sure that you feel capable of a project this large and it is a big one.  Once you remove that body you own that project.
 
I am working through some very large problems doing the frame-off resto/mod on my 80 corvette.  Everything from moving locations due to an unexpected sale of the home to an engine builder that decided to quit working halfway way thru the rebuild.
 
You will encounter people that see you as a paid vacation for themselves via your funds to poor workmanship from re builders that I had to send out again to be reworked.
 
I originally planned to have it done in 18 months and I am now deep into year 4 due to delays from the things I just mentioned.  Yes I am suing the engine builder and it is not fun. I dislike lawyers and all the rigmarole that goes with it.
 
This year I hope to have the engine running and next year finish up the body.  Before starting this project I spent about 6 months just getting parts and supplies ready.  If you are going to do it just be ready to do it all.
 
I can tell you that I am looking forward to the day when it will be finished and it will be the driver that I want it to be. You can do it but be strong and don't give up.
 
           
 
I know how to put them in here but you may need to set it up as links.  DB
indy992008-06-25 14:37:48



Corvettes and women are the same...You want to make love to them but they keep breaking down.

to do a frame off restore or not??

Posted: 6/25/08 4:37pm Message 9 of 15
pdupler
Former Member
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Fort Worth, TX - USA
Joined: 12/26/2007
Posts: 121
Vette(s): 1969 Lemans Blue Coupe, 350/300 Automagic
One thing I'd like to know about lifting the body off is suppose the body is in great shape but the frame needs work.  Is it realistic to lift a body off and put it back later without having to make fiberglass repairs and repaint it?  


to do a frame off restore or not??

Posted: 6/25/08 5:35pm Message 10 of 15
80VetteMan
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Joined: 4/29/2008
Posts: 129
indy99 .. WOW and what do you do to your head??

I am trying to do all my work without doing a total tear down.. I had a engine builder tell me i am better off getting a create engine. it is way cheaper that is for sure...


i hope i can take care of the rust without going all the way.. time will tell...


in Forum: C3 Body


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