The angled frame piece that is under my radiator is rusted through in some areas. Is it possible to unbolt it and replace with new frame piece? Anyone perform this job before? How difficult is it?

--Steve

This piece is actually the whole font radiator core support. It will unbolt and come out. I guess if you have some metal bending tools, a cutoff wheel and a welder you could cut out the bad section and weld in a new piece. That would require a lot of work. A whole new support can be purchased and they vary in pricing depending on where you buy it.

Most likely when yo remove the radiator and support you will need to replace all of the seals and bushings that go into this area as they will probably be shot as well.

Yes, you can unbolt this frame member and weld in new pieces or have a shop do it. It is not a big deal and the lower end of this piece was prone to rust as moisture collected in that area. After new metal is welded in, it should look good as new. You might consider using Eastwood's undercoating product before installing the finished product.

munkmunk, check my thread here, I don't provide much information, but the others give a lot of help! I've not yet done it, but I will be...May? August? Hurts only seeing the car one week at a time every few months.

http://www.c3vr.com/vrforums/message_go.asp?MID=34370

Scot

Thanks for the info and the past thread on this. So I'm not clear on why any welding would be needed. Isn't it just an unbolt old and bolt in new job? Not sure if the bolts will unscrew without breaking though. They might be too rusty.

Steve

Welding would be need if you try to repair the one you have. The whole support bolts in place, and then the radiator bolts to it.
1st Remove the radiator. To do this requires unbolting the support from the wheel well areas in some models.
2nd Unbolt the core support from the frame. 2 bolts and nose support rod under the car.
3rd Either cut out the rusty metal and weld in a new piece or replace the whole support with a new one.
4th put everything back together.

Thanks Brian. Is the core support usually the rustiest piece of the frame on a C3 Vette? Seems logical, since it's right under the radiator. But just wondering what other parts of the frame are most likely to be rusted through.

Steve

I keep finding "new" problems with my 75, but the core support definitely seems to be the most affected by rust. Hardly any of it left.

Scot

Steve, C3's are notorious for frame rust. An good indicator of overall frame condition is the rail end plate in front of the rear wheel. If this plate is rusted through there will most likely be advanced rust in places you can't see. Look for holes through the rail bottom forward of the end cap. Sometimes the frame can be saved with repair and sometimes it is cost effective to purchase a good unit. That determination should be made by an experienced mechanic in the know.