rgregory

I have done most of the car between the wheels. I honestly didn't think I would notice a difference but I have. The first drive I thought it was all in my head but I drove for the 2nd time tonight (after some further welding in the rear wheel wells) hitting all bumps in the road on purpose and really seems better now. Will continue to weld every place I can reach with the body on the car. I would say only about 60% off the seam is welded on my '70.

Will update after more driving.

Steve Straus

pics? What is the difference? Is it stiffer? Which seams are you welding?

Lemme guess, you got a new welder and are welding every gap you can find.

rgregory

I didn't take picks but all the seams that run down the length of the frame. It is not fully welded from the factory.

Mine being a convertible shakes terribly over bumps. It is less now. The steering wheel also appears to not shake so bad either which has always bothered me. Still some shake but not as bad.

New welder no, just got the itch to do it after finally getting fed up and looking for anything to make the car not such a rattle trap.

carriljc

and when I had the engine out I did the top seams in the engine compartment...it's subjective, but it seems to have made a difference. More of a difference when welding the underside betweent the axles.

kenko74

Be sure to weld the front crossmember lower plate, especially around the lower A-arm pivot bar bracket. I know it's a PIA to get that area properly cleaned and prepped to accept the weld, but that's where all C-3 frames start getting stress fractures due to flexing, and due to the limited spot welding practice used at the factory. When the front lower suspension rips off the frame (and I believe all C-3's as they age will experience this), it could kill you. Afterwards, add a spreader bar between the upper A-arms (available from Vette Brakes for $79), to prevent future flexing and future fractures. Chevy should have installed these bars at the factory--poor design. I thought my car was in perfect shape, no visible frame rust anywhere, until this happened to me last week:




[Modified by kenko74, 9:39 AM 3/10/2004]


[Modified by kenko74, 11:57 AM 3/10/2004]

NHvette

Definitely check the front area of the lower control arm mounts.

I have a close-up of my 70 frame ... crack just starting to form.
You can see it in here: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=765942

I seam welded back to the #1 body mount, but I did not do the whole thing.
The hardest part is cleaning up the seams (full of oil and /or rust) before
welding. Even then, it was spatter city.

:cheers: :smash: :seeya