C2 Frame Rot - repair advice needed - NCRS Discussion Boards

C2 Frame Rot - repair advice needed

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  • Dick W.
    Former NCRS Director Region IV
    • June 30, 1985
    • 10483

    #16
    Re: C2 Frame Rot - repair advice needed

    Originally posted by John Daly (19684)
    What does a replacement C2 frame cost these days ?
    $4,895.00.
    Dick Whittington

    Comment

    • Joe L.
      Beyond Control Poster
      • February 1, 1988
      • 43221

      #17
      Re: C2 Frame Rot - repair advice needed

      Originally posted by Dick Whittington (8804)
      $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.
      In Appreciation of John Hinckley

      Comment

      • Mark P.
        Very Frequent User
        • May 13, 2008
        • 934

        #18
        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.

        Comment

        • Joe L.
          Beyond Control Poster
          • February 1, 1988
          • 43221

          #19
          Re: C2 Frame Rot - repair advice needed

          Originally posted by Mark Pellowski (49021)
          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.
          In Appreciation of John Hinckley

          Comment

          • John H.
            Beyond Control Poster
            • December 1, 1997
            • 16513

            #20
            Re: C2 Frame Rot - repair advice needed

            Originally posted by Joe Lucia (12484)
            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.

            Comment

            • Randall K.
              Very Frequent User
              • April 1, 2005
              • 184

              #21
              Re: C2 Frame Rot - repair advice needed

              Originally posted by Joe Lucia (12484)
              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

              Comment

              • Tom A.
                NCRS Body & Paint Advisor
                • May 31, 1986
                • 138

                #22
                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.

                Comment

                • Joe L.
                  Beyond Control Poster
                  • February 1, 1988
                  • 43221

                  #23
                  Re: C2 Frame Rot - repair advice needed

                  Originally posted by Randall Krohn (43621)
                  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.
                  In Appreciation of John Hinckley

                  Comment

                  • Joe L.
                    Beyond Control Poster
                    • February 1, 1988
                    • 43221

                    #24
                    Re: C2 Frame Rot - repair advice needed

                    Originally posted by Tom Ames (9906)
                    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.
                    In Appreciation of John Hinckley

                    Comment

                    • Michael M.
                      Expired
                      • November 1, 2001
                      • 411

                      #25
                      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
                      Attached Files

                      Comment

                      • Mark P.
                        Very Frequent User
                        • May 13, 2008
                        • 934

                        #26
                        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.

                        Comment

                        • Steve L.
                          Very Frequent User
                          • June 30, 2001
                          • 763

                          #27
                          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.
                          Steve L
                          73 coupe since new
                          Capital Corvette Club
                          Ottawa, Canada

                          Comment

                          • Joe L.
                            Beyond Control Poster
                            • February 1, 1988
                            • 43221

                            #28
                            Re: C2 Frame Rot - repair advice needed

                            Originally posted by Steve Lischynsky (36372)
                            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.
                            In Appreciation of John Hinckley

                            Comment

                            • Patrick H.
                              Beyond Control Poster
                              • December 1, 1989
                              • 11643

                              #29
                              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
                              Vice-Chairman (West), Michigan Chapter NCRS
                              71 "deer modified" coupe
                              72 5-Star Bowtie / Duntov coupe. https://www.flickr.com/photos/124695...57649252735124
                              2008 coupe
                              Available stickers: Engine suffix code, exhaust tips & mufflers, shocks, AIR diverter valve broadcast code.

                              Comment

                              • Mark P.
                                Very Frequent User
                                • May 13, 2008
                                • 934

                                #30
                                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

                                Comment

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