C2 Frame Rot - repair advice needed

[Dick W.]

Re: C2 Frame Rot - repair advice needed

What does a replacement C2 frame cost these days ?

$4,895.00.

[Joe L.]

Re: C2 Frame Rot - repair advice needed

$4,895.00.

Dick and John------


.....and my prediction is that Vette Products of Michigan is going to be selling a lot of them. C2's or C3's that have spent time in states where salt is used on the roads are likely going to be needing new frames, whether the owner knows it now, or not.

[Mark P.]

Re: C2 Frame Rot - repair advice needed

Would a 66 small block coupe automatic frame be identical to my 65 small block coupe 4 spd frame ? I might go this way or get the new frame.

[Joe L.]

Re: C2 Frame Rot - repair advice needed

Would a 66 small block coupe automatic frame be identical to my 65 small block coupe 4 spd frame ? I might go this way or get the new frame.

Mark------


Yes, the frames should be the same. The only possible exception might be the clutch cross shaft bracket. I'm not sure if the automatic-equipped cars have the bracket (unused), or not.

C2's are not like C3's. With 68-78 C3's the frames were different for manual or automatic cars; manuals had a welded-in crossmember and automatics had a bolt-in crossmember.

[John H.]

Re: C2 Frame Rot - repair advice needed

Yes, the frames should be the same. The only possible exception might be the clutch cross shaft bracket. I'm not sure if the automatic-equipped cars have the bracket (unused), or not.

Joe -

All midyear frames had the clutch cross shaft bracket, whether they needed it or not; there was only one part number frame each year. St. Louis added the #2 body mount bracket to the frame on convertibles.

[Randall K.]

Re: C2 Frame Rot - repair advice needed

Dick and John------
.....and my prediction is that Vette Products of Michigan is going to be selling a lot of them. C2's or C3's that have spent time in states where salt is used on the roads are likely going to be needing new frames, whether the owner knows it now, or not.

My car was originally sold in Florida and was there for a number of years. I'm curious - what's worse in your opinion? Salt air, or road salt (which it's never exposed to)? The only significant frame rust I've found up to this time was at the bottom corner of the passenger side windshield pillar (see post https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...70028&uid=8800) and one of the frame extensions.

Thanks
Randy

[Tom A.]

Re: C2 Frame Rot - repair advice needed

I used to run a body shop in south Florida. The general rule was if it's from the coast it rusts from the top down, if from the north it rusts from the bottom up. If from both eventually it will meet in the middle. Being from Florida is a rust issue only if the car spent a lot of time close to the coast (like 3 or 4 miles). All cars are likely to have rust around the windshield due to the metal clips that were used in the 50's-70's. In later years they changed to a plastic clip.

[Joe L.]

Re: C2 Frame Rot - repair advice needed

My car was originally sold in Florida and was there for a number of years. I'm curious - what's worse in your opinion? Salt air, or road salt (which it's never exposed to)? The only significant frame rust I've found up to this time was at the bottom corner of the passenger side windshield pillar (see post https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...70028&uid=8800) and one of the frame extensions.

Thanks
Randy

Randy------


As far as Corvettes go, I think that road salt is FAR worse than salt air.

[Joe L.]

Re: C2 Frame Rot - repair advice needed

I used to run a body shop in south Florida. The general rule was if it's from the coast it rusts from the top down, if from the north it rusts from the bottom up. If from both eventually it will meet in the middle. Being from Florida is a rust issue only if the car spent a lot of time close to the coast (like 3 or 4 miles). All cars are likely to have rust around the windshield due to the metal clips that were used in the 50's-70's. In later years they changed to a plastic clip.

Tom------


I agree; it's pretty much the same here in California. If a car, particularly a steel-bodied car, lives within about 3 or 4 miles of the coast, it will suffer body rot. It takes a while for it to be discernable, though. Otherwise, a California car experiences virtually no corrosion damage, at all. Even in mountain areas (where it snows HEAVILY), I do not think that salt is used on the roads.

[Michael M.]

Re: C2 Frame Rot - repair advice needed

I have been through the same thing with my 65. It was a northern car and I did repair it but looking back I think I would replace the frame and not be frustrated trying to repair it. Good Luck, Mike

[Mark P.]

Re: C2 Frame Rot - repair advice needed

I am planning to pull the body next weekend and then I'll assess the damage. If it is isolated to a few small areas then I know a reputable shop which has a C2 frame jig and can repair it. If it is more than that I'll order a new frame from Vette Products of Michigan. I like the peace of mind of knowing that I'll never have to worry about an item on my car if I properly address it. I am thinking if the frame can be made sound and still appear NCRS correct for under $1,500 then I may go that route. If it is more than that I'll probably pay the $5K for the new frame.

[Steve L.]

Re: C2 Frame Rot - repair advice needed

Mark,
The other thing you should think about is that it's not just perforations that are abvious, it's also the thining of the metal. Although there may not be perforations, the metal might be very thin.

This is what I was worried about when I looked at my 3rd cross member. It looked really thin. So I replaced it with a new one, but it was a major job since the entire back end is attached to it and it carries a huge torque load. I built my own frame jig before I took it apart to make sure that the body mounts were not going to change.

It was a challenge but in retrospect I should have just did a new frame. Also, not too many people here or on other forums get into this level of frame rebuilds, so I was pretty much on my own.

[Joe L.]

Re: C2 Frame Rot - repair advice needed

Mark,
The other thing you should think about is that it's not just perforations that are abvious, it's also the thining of the metal. Although there may not be perforations, the metal might be very thin.

Steve and Mark-------


This is EXACTLY the reason I recommend going with a new frame. When a frame repair is performed, it usually only addresses the obvious problems with the frame and not the not-so-obvious.

Once-upon-a-time, before new reproduction frames were available, the only options were frame repair or going with a used frame. With a used frame one does also not know the overall condition of the frame. But, now that reproduction frames are available, it's the only way to go as far as I'm concerned.

[Patrick H.]

Re: C2 Frame Rot - repair advice needed

Mark,

You might want to call America's Finest Corvettes, as they do frame work and swaps. He may have one that would be cheaper than shipping one from Michigan as he's in California like you.

Patrick

[Mark P.]

Re: C2 Frame Rot - repair advice needed

Patrick - I spoke with them. Not sure I want to get a converted C3 frame when I can get a new correct one from Vette products for about $600 more in shipping. Their prices are similar.

Mark