1973 body mount #2 sheet metal

[Sascha P.]

Hi all!

I am fixing body mount #2 on the driver side. My question boils down to:

- what thickness of sheet metal do I need to use to fix the rocker channel and the inner area of the bird cage?

I did check the assembly manual but could not find the answer. I did measure other areas and should end up at about 5.4/ 5.5 mm.

Thank you very much,
Sascha

[Harmon C.]

Re: 1973 body mount #2 sheet metal

I Would Use 16 Gage sheet metal.

[Steve L.]

Re: 1973 body mount #2 sheet metal

Depending on how much rust you have in that area, you may be better off getting a repair kit designed to weld right into that section. Check out part number 6297 from Paragon. Caledonia Classic cars also has a big assortment of these kind of repair parts that fit into existing rusted channels.

This may be easier, quicker and a stronger repair than fabricating your own piece.


Caledonia Classic
Classic Cars

[Sascha P.]

Re: 1973 body mount #2 sheet metal

Thanks everyone!
I did not know about the Paragon part. That looks promising.
Thanks,
Sascha

[David H.]

Re: 1973 body mount #2 sheet metal

Thanks everyone!
I did not know about the Paragon part. That looks promising.
Thanks,
Sascha

Sascha,

#2 driver side (hinge pillar) would be Paragon 6293. Caledonia Classic Cars is likely original source for this part. Caledonia version likely will come with instruction sheet.


Dave

[Sascha P.]

Re: 1973 body mount #2 sheet metal

Thank you, Dave!

On a similar note, what is your recommendation for the passenger side if it is not rusted too bad. Are there any kind of guide lines as in 'this needs to be replaced' vs. 'this needs cleaning up and paint'? The passengers mounting hole is ok, only the inner area is rusted.

Again, I can certainly provide photos if that helps.

Thanks,
Sascha

[David H.]

Re: 1973 body mount #2 sheet metal

Thank you, Dave!

On a similar note, what is your recommendation for the passenger side if it is not rusted too bad. Are there any kind of guide lines as in 'this needs to be replaced' vs. 'this needs cleaning up and paint'? The passengers mounting hole is ok, only the inner area is rusted.

Again, I can certainly provide photos if that helps.

Thanks,
Sascha

Sascha,

Post some photos, that will help.

Having been down this road..... You should assess WHY your body mount area is rusted. My case was windshield header had rusted through - allowing water to run down windshield pillars and on to #2 body mounts.

Any evidence of rust around your V.I.N. tag? (Indication of water flowing down windshield side pillars.)

You might want to remove interior plastic trim covering windshield header to see if you have rust issues. (My header had rusted through in driver side corner and header bottom plate had significant surface rust.)

Slap you hand along your rocker panel molding from door hinge pillar to lock pillar checking for evidence of rust. Water can migrate from your #2 body mount area and get between birdcage rocker stamping and it's fiberglass cover. (Even better if side molding is removed), but slapping along door rocker may generate a "shower" of rust flakes indicating birdcage rust has extended to rocker channel.

At that point a serious cost/benefit analysis is in order. [That didn't stop me, but I'm not too bright - Just ask my wife!]

Dave

[Dick W.]

Re: 1973 body mount #2 sheet metal

Sascha,

#2 driver side (hinge pillar) would be Paragon 6293. Caledonia Classic Cars is likely original source for this part. Caledonia version likely will come with instruction sheet.


Dave

Skip the middle men go to the source http://www.vetteproducts.net/

[Sascha P.]

Re: 1973 body mount #2 sheet metal

Hi Dave! Sorry for the long time since I checked this thread. Well, the bird cage is one of the few things that are not too bad on my car. The VIN tag is also fine.There is no heavy rust whatsoever. However, I will verify that again now that I got your tip.

I was able to fix the mount hole using a piece of 1/8 sheet metal if I recall correctly.

The body is no back on the frame and I will hopefully drive this summer.

[Sascha P.]

Re: 1973 body mount #2 sheet metal

Hi Dick!

Thanks for the tip. However, I was able to cut out the rusted area and replaced it with a new piece of sheet metal. It worked well after figuring out how to ensure the new position of the hole is the same as before.