Rusty repairs 1980 Malibu

[Crd80BU]

This thread is going to be an effort to save some poor b*st*rd some time repairing an Ontario rusty mess. there were several areas that were bad which over this summer hopefully I can fix and get this thing safe. When the drivers seat leg let go due to rust, I lifted up the carpet to find...

 

[Bonnewagon]

It looks like some cuttin' and weldin' is in order. DON'T cheap out and just fiberglass the crap out of it. I did that once and it didn't last long.

 

[Crd80BU]

Heres a few pics to date I'm mostly worried about the body mounts that have rusted right through but this is some stuff I have volumes of pictures

 

[Crd80BU]

 

[Crd80BU]

 

[Crd80BU]

I'm currently lifting the body off the frame to replace all the mounts, the one above the rear wheel was not attached, it's good thing because I couldn't get to it. Not sure if that one has a bolt but mine didn't..

 

[Longroof79]

I hope you have access to a solid donor car that you can cut the floor panels out of...or are you putting new sheet metal in it?
How's the condition of the frame itself?
That car looks like it's seen a few rough winters.. :shock:
Good luck! It looks like you're on the right road.

 

[Grandprixpaul]

Hate to see one die but that looks alot like a parts car to me ,other wise hope your a good welder you can also use panel bonder if its near a fuel line or something panel bonder is the way to go but yea your going to need a good parts car or is it goodmark who carrys parts for the malibu .not sure i know someone does .

 

[Crd80BU]

Ya I have the pans ready to go but since I found the mounts rotting I need to fix them, I'm going to weld new metal in, its gonna take some time but I really do love the malibus, when I'm done you'll really need to look for any rust. No donor cars up here the wrecking yards laugh when you ask for parts

 

[buickestate]

that's not an actual body mount above the rear wheels, it's more of a bump stop, no bolt there.