Rusted Frame Help...........

[coptertom]

Need some suggestions and photos if possible.............The #1 body mount on the right side behind the kick panel has rusted through the frame. The left side has rust, but not as bad as the right side. Have my 81 at a chassis / body shop for repair. They are going to pull the body and repair the body mounts and portion of the frame. (of course I am going to have them replace all the body mount / cushions) Here is where I need some help.............Could someone post a few pictures to show how the cage area looks with the kick panels removed? Once the repairs have been made, I am going to need to know how to re-attach the kick panels. Since the kick panel areas have been rusted out, there are no screw mounts to attach them. Thought that if I had a few pictures, I could try to show the shop doing the repairs and have them fabricate them, the way they should be..........

All this just to replace the vette with new interior :bash

 

[6880 Mike]

#1 body mount is under the hood at the front of the cowl. #2 body mount is in the kick panel area.

The kick panel trim traps under the door sills and attaches to the door posts with trim screws. You shouldn't need any brackets for kick panels.

 

[coptertom]

Thanks for the photo..........I did mean to say the rust was by the #2 mount (guess it is the fustration of finding the rust of no return). I am hoping that the shop will be able to repair the rust on the frame. Guess I will know when they pull the body in a couple of days.

 

[Peer81]

Body mount #1 and 2 aren't a very big problem, 3 and 4 are more a challange. Make sure they get the exact hight of the bodymount support on the frame before removing them. When changing it, it will make a big change to the body.

Groeten Peter

 

[Tim81]

If the body mount is rusted behind the kick panel then the bird cage will need repaired. Sorry, I'm not sure by your post if the frame mount tab is bad or the pillar behind the kick panel is bad. Either can be repaired, but I would be hoping its just the frame tab. Bird Cage repairs are very involved... Good Luck Tim

 

[coptertom]

Looks like it will be both the frame mount tab and the pillar. Will know for sure once the body is actually pulled..........will post the result when I know. Just my luck..........

 

[Peer81]

Some small examples from what I found and what I did to correct the problem.

Removing rusted brackets and rocker channel.

New selfmade brackets and seal plates.

Fitting new bracket and seal plates.

End result.

I hope it helps.

Greetings Peter

 

[coptertom]

Mike and Peter.........GREAT photos............Thanks. They are certain to help. The L81 Vette Registry Forum is a great source of information however it should be noted that is the people like you who take the time to jump in there and help those of us who are trying to work and keep our 81's running strong..............

 

[coptertom]

Repair Question.....

Mike and Peter.........GREAT photos............Thanks. They are certain to help. The L81 Vette Registry Forum is a great source of information however it should be noted that is the people like you who take the time to jump in there and help those of us who are trying to work and keep our 81's running strong..............

It looks like the frame overall is in good condition (other than age) and that the front rocker channel and center rocker channels are rusted out and need to be repaired.

Question I have is this:

ZIP have Rocker Channel Repair part for the front insert, center insert and rear insert. The repair shop mentioned that they could fabricate the parts for the repair...........I am thinking that I should just purchase the Rocker Channel Repair parts for both sides and have the repair shop insert them. This way the rails should be to spec and I take away the guess work (Piece of Mind)

Secondly: Does anyone know if the body has to be off in order to insert the Channel Repair parts? Or the repair can be made from under the rails with the body still on. As of now the body has been raised just a few inches without taking everything apart.

I am not looking to do a complete body off restoration just trying to ensure that the frame and cage are good to go and I can enjoy driving the vette around town a couple of days a month.....................Help!

 

[Peer81]

I don't think you can change the rocker channels when the body isn't fully off the frame. The rocker channels fall over the chassis so no way to do this with the body only a few inches from the frame, you need to go well under the rocker channels to weld them correctly. My idea

Groeten Peter

 

[sofast4u]

Great job, i need to tackle my #2 mount on the drivers side. did you raise the body or can it be done on the frame. gotta love this forum....

 

[sofast4u]

hey great job
did you need to take it off the frame to do all the work. lt looks like you did!!!
i just found rust in the same spot and was dumbfounded!!!!
i'm just trying to figure out $$$$$$$$$ the pain. thanks jeff

 

[Peer81]

Yes, you need to remove the body from the frame but first check if it is really necessary to change it, maybe it isn't as bad as it looks.

Groeten Peter

 

[coptertom]

Hey Jeff,

As it turns out I had to have the body removed in order to get to the repair. Progress has been slow however still crossing my fingers that the job gets done right. I found a body shop that gave me a better than average price. Now only hoping that the price is not a reflection of the end result......................Good Luck!

 

[coptertom]

Rocker Channel Replacement Help.............

It looks like the frame overall is in good condition (other than age) and that the front rocker channel and center rocker channels are rusted out and need to be repaired.

Question I have is this:

ZIP have Rocker Channel Repair part for the front insert, center insert and rear insert. The repair shop mentioned that they could fabricate the parts for the repair...........I am thinking that I should just purchase the Rocker Channel Repair parts for both sides and have the repair shop insert them. This way the rails should be to spec and I take away the guess work (Piece of Mind)

Secondly: Does anyone know if the body has to be off in order to insert the Channel Repair parts? Or the repair can be made from under the rails with the body still on. As of now the body has been raised just a few inches without taking everything apart.

I am not looking to do a complete body off restoration just trying to ensure that the frame and cage are good to go and I can enjoy driving the vette around town a couple of days a month.....................Help!

OK.........I bit the bullet and pulled the body. The frame is good (Big Relief). The #2 and #4 body mount brackets are rusted out and the channels definitely need to be replaced. I decided to go ahead and buy the Rocker Channel repair front inserts, center inserts, rear channel repair inserts and new #2 and #3 body mount (repair) frame brackets for both the left and right sides.

PROBLEM: Now I have to figure out how to remove and install the new rocker channels. The center channels seem fairly straight forward.

QUESTION: How do I remove the existing channels?

PROBLEM: I have to replace the front channel inserts with the new inserts.

QUESTION: Do you have to weld the front channel inserts to the center inserts?

I purchased the channel inserts and body mount frame brackets from ZIP Corvette.

BIG PROBLEM: NO INSTRUCTIONS!

Any suggestions would be GREAT...........Has anyone ever replaced all the rocker channels and if so would you have any pictures?