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Topic: rust

in Forum: C3 General Discussion


rust

Posted: 3/4/04 9:52pm Message 1 of 7
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United Kingdom
Joined: 7/23/2003
Posts: 79
Vette(s): 1974 sb/auto convertible Le Mans blue
1971 bb/auto convertible Mille Miglia red
At what stage of rusting does a doorpillar make a car unsafe to drive? eg at base of pillar 10% gone, 20%, 30%?????/ |headscratch|


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rust

Posted: 3/5/04 5:05am Message 2 of 7
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KERNERSVILLE, NC - USA
Joined: 1/13/2004
Posts: 1355
Vette(s): 1968 L-71 convertible
If you have that much rust on a door pillar, I'd recommend putting the car on a lift and thoroughly checking the frame rails. Specifically in front of the rear wheels.I've seen cars pretty rusty in that area, to the point you can jab a screwdriver through the frame. Repair sections are available.


rust

Posted: 3/6/04 5:38am Message 3 of 7
Former Member
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United Kingdom
Joined: 7/23/2003
Posts: 79
Vette(s): 1974 sb/auto convertible Le Mans blue
1971 bb/auto convertible Mille Miglia red
Having worked further on the car, I seem to have answered the question for this particular case. Having taken out all the easily removable rust and metal at the base of the post, there appears to be a ring of perforation with 50-75% of the metal gone. There is a crack in the post near the base and spot welds have failed on a reinforcement fillet at the top of the post.
I guess this means body-off !!
Questions:
1) I guess "terminal" rust is a common problem at the base of the post and associated body mounts?
2) Can anyone recommend a website and/or book which itemizes the procedure to take off the body and for restoration work in general?
Thanks and regards, David
PS: The guy who appraised the car for me and missed this is "dead-man-walking".


rust

Posted: 3/6/04 5:44am Message 4 of 7
Former Member
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United Kingdom
Joined: 7/23/2003
Posts: 79
Vette(s): 1974 sb/auto convertible Le Mans blue
1971 bb/auto convertible Mille Miglia red
I forgot. With respect to the overall condition of the chassis, this winter's job was initially to rust proof and repaint the chassis. THe main chassis members appear to be sound, but I did find that the driver's side body mount #4 needs replacing as does the steel radiator mount.
Thanks for your help and comments.
Regards, David


rust

Posted: 3/6/04 7:10am Message 5 of 7
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KERNERSVILLE, NC - USA
Joined: 1/13/2004
Posts: 1355
Vette(s): 1968 L-71 convertible
Barnes and Noble or a similar bookstore is a pretty good source for resto manuals, The corvette vendors typically have a few choices too. Several give some pretty good step by step instructions. Somebody help me out here, I cannot recommend a specific book, I had a pretty good teacher and just use the books for photo reference.
Be sure to start by wetting each of the mount points with a good penetrant. I like PB Blaster. Another point not often mentioned in the books is the shims at the mounts. Make sure you note the number of shims at each mount, I drew a sketch in my assembly manual. Use the same number of new shims when the body goes back on.


rust

Posted: 3/6/04 7:13am Message 6 of 7
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KERNERSVILLE, NC - USA
Joined: 1/13/2004
Posts: 1355
Vette(s): 1968 L-71 convertible
I found my resto book, it was actually written in the U.K. by Lindsay Porter.MBI Publishing Co. Maybe you could look him up.
He does have a section in that book on rust at the same place as your car.


rust

Posted: 3/6/04 10:14pm Message 7 of 7
Former Member
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United Kingdom
Joined: 7/23/2003
Posts: 79
Vette(s): 1974 sb/auto convertible Le Mans blue
1971 bb/auto convertible Mille Miglia red
dave, thanks for the advice.
Have at last tracked down the guy who appraised the car 2 years ago. He has offered to come across country to my place take the body off, take it away for repair, bring it back and remount it! There are honourable people out there!
I'll still buy the book and do a nut and bolt restoration of the car whilst the body is off.

|cheers| |bouncy| |cheers|


in Forum: C3 General Discussion


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