frame reinforcement

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Matty89

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Apr 21, 2017
26
6
3
have you tried removing the body mount bolts?. When you have the rust that you described you probably have rusted out body mounts
have you tried removing the body mount bolts?. When you have the rust that you described you probably have rusted out body mounts
the bolts come loose with no problem the bushings are rotted the ones for the front radiator support you can move the bolts about a inch up and down i took a wrench and tightened the bolts as much as i could until i can purchase the body mount kit
 

Matty89

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Apr 21, 2017
26
6
3
the bolts come loose with no problem the bushings are rotted the ones for the front radiator support you can move the bolts about a inch up and down i took a wrench and tightened the bolts as much as i could until i can purchase the body mount kit
few days ago driving down the street i lost a complete bushing bolt and all from the rotted out spot in the trunk so i haven't been driving much but to work and home thats about it
 

bob64

G-Body Guru
Mar 30, 2017
713
674
93
Niagara Falls, Canada
TE="Matty89, post: 555673, member: 25738"]few days ago driving down the street i lost a complete bushing bolt and all from the rotted out spot in the trunk so i haven't been driving much but to work and home thats about it[/QUOTE]

Sounds like your car is a mess ! My thought , park it an use it for parts !
Unless you can weld an have access to a place to Jack it up off the frame, have a Rotisserie to do repairs to floor, trunk an header which can be done without but pain in the arse.
Then you got frame repairs
You can patch the floors but by sound of trunk/outer wheel well and maybe the inner wheel well , it's a 2 piece wheel well the cost if you can't do it yourself is high.
To have a shop do the repairs and they'll replace the floor quarter's, then the trunk/wheel well and once again replace the pieces, then the frame , it's going to cause atleast $1100 in parts then atleast $2000 in labour. Oh an new body mounts plus fixing header another $400 to $500 .
And it could cost more than me guessing.
 

gula187

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Apr 21, 2016
34
2
8
Well I plan on upgrading my suspension anyway. But the engine is a 6.0 truck engine that I'm stroking to a 402 I want to get some lsa heads but I might settle for some ported ls3 heads, and in topping it off with a zl1/lsa supercharger
 
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Matty89

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Apr 21, 2017
26
6
3
TE="Matty89, post: 555673, member: 25738"]few days ago driving down the street i lost a complete bushing bolt and all from the rotted out spot in the trunk so i haven't been driving much but to work and home thats about it

Sounds like your car is a mess ! My thought , park it an use it for parts !
Unless you can weld an have access to a place to Jack it up off the frame, have a Rotisserie to do repairs to floor, trunk an header which can be done without but pain in the arse.
Then you got frame repairs
You can patch the floors but by sound of trunk/outer wheel well and maybe the inner wheel well , it's a 2 piece wheel well the cost if you can't do it yourself is high.
To have a shop do the repairs and they'll replace the floor quarter's, then the trunk/wheel well and once again replace the pieces, then the frame , it's going to cause atleast $1100 in parts then atleast $2000 in labour. Oh an new body mounts plus fixing header another $400 to $500 .
And it could cost more than me guessing.[/QUOTE]
ive found many of parts online everyone that says they will weld patches for me end up backing out like i said i paid 1,000 for it and im not afraid to spend a few more to get her right my limit is 10 no matter what
 

bob64

G-Body Guru
Mar 30, 2017
713
674
93
Niagara Falls, Canada
Well Matty89 if you want to use it as a daily driver then patch's work but if you want the car to last then panels are the way to go.
First the header panel can be fixed in the car as well as the holes in the floor, but the truck is another story. But and l say but, you can fix trunk if you cut the rotten rails off, ofcourse remove gas tank, then fix the trunk with a panel as you'll need the body mounting framing. Then undo the forward body mounts and raise *ss end up to weld frame horns on. When you raise *ss end remember about the wiring, as in don't lift to high.
 

Matty89

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Apr 21, 2017
26
6
3
TE="Matty89, post: 555673, member: 25738"]few days ago driving down the street i lost a complete bushing bolt and all from the rotted out spot in the trunk so i haven't been driving much but to work and home thats about it

Sounds like your car is a mess ! My thought , park it an use it for parts !
Unless you can weld an have access to a place to Jack it up off the frame, have a Rotisserie to do repairs to floor, trunk an header which can be done without but pain in the arse.
Then you got frame repairs
You can patch the floors but by sound of trunk/outer wheel well and maybe the inner wheel well , it's a 2 piece wheel well the cost if you can't do it yourself is high.
To have a shop do the repairs and they'll replace the floor quarter's, then the trunk/wheel well and once again replace the pieces, then the frame , it's going to cause atleast $1100 in parts then atleast $2000 in labour. Oh an new body mounts plus fixing header another $400 to $500 .
And it could cost more than me guessing.[/QUOTE]
ive found many of parts online everyone that says they will weld patches for me end up backing out like i said i paid 1,000 for it and im not afraid to spend a few more to get her right my limit is 10 no matter what
Well Matty89 if you want to use it as a daily driver then patch's work but if you want the car to last then panels are the way to go.
First the header panel can be fixed in the car as well as the holes in the floor, but the truck is another story. But and l say but, you can fix trunk if you cut the rotten rails off, ofcourse remove gas tank, then fix the trunk with a panel as you'll need the body mounting framing. Then undo the forward body mounts and raise *ss end up to weld frame horns on. When you raise *ss end remember about the wiring, as in don't lift to high.
 

bob64

G-Body Guru
Mar 30, 2017
713
674
93
Niagara Falls, Canada
Well I plan on upgrading my suspension anyway. But the engine is a 6.0 truck engine that I'm stroking to a 402 I want to get some lsa heads but I might settle for some ported ls3 heads, and in topping it off with a zl1/lsa supercharger

Nice combo. Just be prepared to dangle front tires when it hooks off the line.
 

peppers

Apprentice
Jan 29, 2017
76
37
18
I've been in your spot before. Sounds like you don't want to part with the car. My friend with a 70 nova (I know unibody but we added connectors) didn't want to hear part the car and get a better body. After lots of patchwork he plopped his very expensive engine in. Got a very expensive paint job. Did a burnout leaving his first car show and the rear tire off and went flying past him.
If your doing a low buck driver it doesn't really matter. If you plan on hooking the tires or pulling some g's find another car in better shape. Or since it seems you don't mind spending cash on the engine put a few grand to someone who knows what they are doing and get the frame and body rotisseried, braced, and welded.
 
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lilbowtie

Comic Book Super Hero
Jan 7, 2006
3,460
3,965
113
Canton Mi
Sounds like a lot going on with your car, and to throw that kind of power at it ???? Look up an old tread (G Body Frame Modifications- looking for more info) I would be thinking cage also.
 
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