Lower Birdcage Tabs

[Frank B.]

All:

I'm restoring a C2 which had the metal tabs cut-off in the rocker area of the birdcage, to, of course, install sidepipes. What's the best way to repair or replace and restore to original...I'd like them to turnout perfect to meet NCRS standards. Thanks

Regards,
Frank

[Dick W.]

Re: Lower Birdcage Tabs

I believe Long Island Corvette sells replacement tabs

[Keith B.]

Re: Lower Birdcage Tabs

I believe Long Island Corvette sells replacement tabs

yes they do and they are a pain to weld back on with the body on the frame

[Michael M.]

Re: Lower Birdcage Tabs

Hi Frank, The same was done to my car as well. I had someone offer to TIG weld the bottom of the tabs back on (cut from new tabs) and then it was up to me to clean them up and make them look presentable. I'm not sure how well that would work. I'm wondering if it is even possible to replace them with the body on the frame. I'm very curious as to the answers you get. I have the same job in front of me. Maybe it's possible to jack one side of the body off the frame slightly? Mike

[Frank B.]

Re: Lower Birdcage Tabs

Thanks, Guys

Mike,

Well, my body is off right now, so that'll make it easier. I'm concerned that they wont look right if extensions are welded on. It'll be very difficult to grind-off the bead in order to make it look seemless. If we replace them completely, them the exact style weld will have to be made to replicate the original...I'm sure you have to graft-on the bottom fiberglass fender tabs, too....I guess nothing is easy, right?

Regards,
Frank

[Michael M.]

Re: Lower Birdcage Tabs

Frank, Oh, since your body is off already it's way easier. Is the weld even visible with the body in place? I'm not sure what the weld looks like, but it's gotta be easier to duplicate the weld than to duplicate the weld with the body on or piece it together and then make it look like nothing ever happened. In addition to looking right, the bottom of the brackets have to be functional too. What does the weld look like? Spot weld inboard and outboard of the birdcage or something more involved? I haven' removed the sidepipe covers yet. It's easier to replace the fiberglass tabs with the body off as well, it's still a bit of labor though. If you're painting your car anyway, that helps. I wasn't planning on a repaint anytime soon, so I gotta respray the fender at the least. Maybe I can get away with a respray below the break or even less. Luckily, they only chopped off the front tab on my car. Whatever it is, you're right, nothing is easy. Good luck! Mike

[John H.]

Re: Lower Birdcage Tabs

Frank, Oh, since your body is off already it's way easier. Is the weld even visible with the body in place?

No, it's not - there's only about a 1/8"-3/16" gap between the bottom edge of the rocker molding and the outer edge of the frame rail; no way to see those support welds.

[Gene M.]

Re: Lower Birdcage Tabs

I would not be too concern about the welding to resecure the brackets. The judges are only looking at the sidepipe cars in the rocker/birdcage area. Side pipe DELETE cars kinda get the wave thru on the brackets unless something looks out of the norm. Just do a good job repairing the fiberglass as not to bring attention to your handy work.

[Donald T.]

Re: Lower Birdcage Tabs

I had to perform this surgery on my car. With the body off, you can grind down the original spot welds to remove the remnants of the brackets. You can then weld on replacements - the welds will be hidden with the body on, so you don't really have to worry about duplicating the factory spot welds. The hard part is getting the replacements welded back in the correct position. I believe the factory used a jig for this but you won't have that luxury. I used the rocker molding to locate the brackets on the birdcage and tack welded them in place. Once satisfied with the placement and fit of the rocker, I finished welding them in place. The repairs are not visible with the body back on the frame. Good luck!