neverendingproject

working on the 80 today, doing heads, cam , etc. noticed i have the dreaded crossmember cracks too. ones a weld that came loose. the others a hairline starting at the offending weld going straight over the top.
just wanted to share that its not just the older c3's. i will be welding it up before it gets worse and installing a spreader bar.
other things that i ran across. lower left a-arm has no bushings left in it. radiator support , or whatever its called, is eaten up on the bottom.
do you guys think i should just rebush the a-arm or get a replacement?
where can i get another radiator support , or should i call it a mount?

74FLCONV

Radiator supports are available in all the major catalogs. Mine was wasted away on the bottom right, but the remaining three retainers seem to be holding everything in place. When I switch to an aluminum rad, I'll change the support at that time.

D. Ocean
Miami, FLA

NHvette

Ok - reality check ...
If you're gonna re-bush the A-arm, you're gonna do them all.
Buy a front end rebuild kit for about $170 - if you're short on cash and tall on DIY.
If skills are short and $$ is handy - let Van Steel rebuild them for you.

While they are out, you can seam weld the lower brackets to the
crossmember and maybe even a couple gussets. Look for the cracks that
start behind the front nut-block.

:seeya

verskel

:iagree: ....just updated my whole front end. :thumbs:

neverendingproject

i will definately have to rebuild the front end. it would drive me nuts if i didn't.
if anyone has any pics of the reinforcing they did to their frames , id sure like to see them.
i was hoping this vette could just be a nice cruiser. just gonna give it around 400hp and fix up the interior. guess i have 2 corvette project cars instead. :rolleyes: