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Necoa #: 12624
Location: 10(IL,MN,WI)
Joined: Oct 13, 2008
Posts: 2
Year: 1984
Model: El Camino
Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2008 8:43 pm Post subject: rusty frame
i have an 84 elky with a good body and paint that i plan to make into a street/strip car, I already have the motor to drop in but my main concern with this project is the frame. It is rusty, especially in the rear, and i dont know how well it is going to hold up once i get the motor in and start putting stress on it. So my question is what should i do with the frame or how do i go about fixing it? OR
Should I be taking this somewhere to get it fixed?
Clean off a section with a good sanding disk or grinder and look for any obvious cracks or signs of fatigue. What you find there will determine which course you take.
If the frame is just rusty, clean it real good and repaint, or coat it with POR15 to help protect it. Until you get it cleaned up though, you won't know for sure how bad it is.
The frame should be plenty hefty enough for most street/strip engine setups. I know guys that race these with only a few modifications to stiffen it up. _________________
1981 Chevy El Camino
1991 Chevy S10
"The only thing collecting dust in my garage... is my broom"
Necoa #: 12624
Location: 10(IL,MN,WI)
Joined: Oct 13, 2008
Posts: 2
Year: 1984
Model: El Camino
Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 9:46 pm Post subject:
lets just say there is some holes in the rear part of the frame, the front is not as bad, but the rear is not pretty. so would that give you any idea what i should do with it?
If you have the tools and know-how to fix it (or the courage to try) I would try to salvage it. It won't hurt to get a professional opinion though. Take it to a mechanic you trust and ask him if it is worth fixing. If not, you have alternatives: find another EC in a junkyard and get the frame or sell the car and get something with a better foundation.
Honestly, if the frame looks bad enough that you are concerned about it holding up under the strain of a horsepower upgrade, you may want to reconsider dumping money into HP until you get the frame fixed. _________________
1981 Chevy El Camino
1991 Chevy S10
"The only thing collecting dust in my garage... is my broom"
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