I recently has a problem with the steering on my 1980, so I had most of the front end parts replaced with, heavy duty steering rods, balljoints, idler arm, etc. It felt good for about a week, but a few days ago it started to feel loose again. I crawled under there today and noticed a rather large crack in the frame on the drivers side, in the wheel well, it looks like it started at the bottom and is spreading upward. At the very bottom it is about a quarter inch apart. My question is, does anyone have any idea where I should take my 1980 to be looked at, and is this something they can just weld back up without too much problems. The car was in an accident before I got it and I am assuming this is the source of the crack.

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Vmikalinis, 1980 L48 T-tops 4-spd Hurst shifter, edelbrock intake and carb, mid america true dual exhaust into flowmaster 40's. VDB Poly adjustable strut rods. |URL|http://www.C3VR.com/member_uploads/2501_2600/2544/side.jpg |/URL|

Not good!

You will need to take it to someone who has a frame jig to make sure the frame is perfectly straight prior to welding patches over the crack. You can't just weld along the crack as it won't be strong enough.

I've had to do this on a couple of MGBs that had stress cracks from racing. The only problem is, the frame will never be at concourse standard again. If it's a daily driver the patch system will work as long as the welder is good one.

Best of luck!

Ouch!!!!!!! I totally agree with the recommendation of a shop with a frame machine. Most good shops will have one. If you've developed a 1/4 inch gap, this needs immediate attention.

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VERY dangerous. Don't drive it. If the frame is lined up properly and welded correctly, you won't have any problems. Be sure to take it to someone GOOD!
Freese welding in Akron OH does a lot of this type of work, but with some investigation you can find someone local. Check with some of the alignment shops in the area, and find where they send their welding.

Thanks guys,
I found a shop near me here in NY. Clarkstown Internalional Collision http://www.cicautobody.com/
They claim to have state of the art frame straightening. I hope they can do something with it, I don't know what to do if they can't.

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Vmikalinis, 1980 L48 T-tops 4-spd Hurst shifter, edelbrock intake and carb, mid america true dual exhaust into flowmaster 40's. VDB Poly adjustable strut rods. |URL|http://www.C3VR.com/member_uploads/2501_2600/2544/side.jpg |/URL|

Keep the faith! I've seen frames repaired so well you couldn't tell they were ever worked on!

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Ok, so now I am at the point where noone wants to work on it. Don't know what to do now. Doesn't any of these body shops fix anything more than a ding. If anyone knows of a shop that can repair frames in NY, please let me know. I'm not ready to send her to the junkyard. Thanks.


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Vmikalinis, 1980 L48 T-tops 4-spd Hurst shifter, edelbrock intake and carb, mid america true dual exhaust into flowmaster 40's. VDB Poly adjustable strut rods. |URL|http://www.C3VR.com/member_uploads/2501_2600/2544/side.jpg |/URL|

Check with some of the local car clubs(not just Vette), actually, the best source for something like that would be a hot rod or custom club.

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I would find someone who builds race car chassis or circle track chassis or even street rods. Don't go into panic mode just yet. I know you can get a complete frame fro right around $1500.

I would also call Van Steel as they restore frames and see what they say.

I Know Pat Musi Racing engines is in the area. I think NJ. Ask for Pat and tell him Matt Held from Holley said to call him and ask if he knows of anyone that can weld or repair frames. (732) 541-1919 www.patmusi.com He has built some pretty outrageous race cars and street cars and might be able to give some advice.

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Thanks for your help, I appreciate it. I did go into panic mode a little. I just spoke to someone who said he can repair anything. He said it would cost time and materials. I may have to go to him.

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Vmikalinis, 1980 L48 T-tops 4-spd Hurst shifter, edelbrock intake and carb, mid america true dual exhaust into flowmaster 40's. VDB Poly adjustable strut rods. |URL|http://www.C3VR.com/member_uploads/2501_2600/2544/side.jpg |/URL|

Found another guy who thinks he can do it. I am heading over there in an hour or so. I will keep you posted.

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Vmikalinis, 1980 L48 T-tops 4-spd Hurst shifter, edelbrock intake and carb, mid america true dual exhaust into flowmaster 40's. VDB Poly adjustable strut rods. |URL|http://www.C3VR.com/member_uploads/2501_2600/2544/side.jpg |/URL|

Good luck! If you get into a time and material scenario, at least try to get an approximation of the time involved and by all means, agree on the hourly rate up front! It really shouldn't take long at all to do the actual repair.

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Ok things are good, right now his frame machine is tied up with a serious wreck, but he says that if I give him a call on monday he may be able to get me some time on it. He thinks $300 to $400 will do it. He is going to pull the front end down and jack it near the crack which will bring it back together, then make the weld and check the frame straightness. I think he is going to re-align the steering also. I will have to remember to tell him to unlatch the t-tops while he does it, I would hate to get the car back with 2 cracked tops.

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Vmikalinis, 1980 L48 T-tops 4-spd Hurst shifter, edelbrock intake and carb, mid america true dual exhaust into flowmaster 40's. VDB Poly adjustable strut rods. |URL|http://www.C3VR.com/member_uploads/2501_2600/2544/side.jpg |/URL|