Project: '91 Rustbucket POS
09-09-2010, 09:10 PM
#51
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Re: Project: '91 Rustbucket POS
Hit a road block tonight! Okay, so I was really going over the car closely, looking for more rot and things that would need to be fixed, of course, I found a little more, but for the most part, it's not serious! The wheel wells, upon closer inspection, will be easy to fix. I found a very small amount of rot behind both front wheels, when I pulled back the wheel well covers. Both spots are quite small, and I'm quite sure have little effect on the body itself. I'll weld them anyways though. Here's a picture of that (rott circled):
The road block however, was some more serious rot that I found near the drivers side floor. I don't know what this part of the frame is called, but there is a thin rail that runs along the side of each car, close to where the ground effects are bolted up. That rail often gets bent due to people being dumb and jacking the car up there. Like I said, I don't know what you call that rail, but I supsect it plays a part in the structure of the car. There is an area of that rail near the driver side kick panel where it is bent up pretty badly and has some pretty nasty rott on it. There is an area that will need to be chopped out and replaced there, it should be easy to do when the floors are put in. Here's a pic of that rot, now you can see along the doors, the black plastic peice that insulates the wiring running along the door, it's right below that. How serious is that in terms of structure of the car? The side of the car still looks pretty solid, it's just the rot on the driver floor carried over to that peice (rot circled):
The road block however, was some more serious rot that I found near the drivers side floor. I don't know what this part of the frame is called, but there is a thin rail that runs along the side of each car, close to where the ground effects are bolted up. That rail often gets bent due to people being dumb and jacking the car up there. Like I said, I don't know what you call that rail, but I supsect it plays a part in the structure of the car. There is an area of that rail near the driver side kick panel where it is bent up pretty badly and has some pretty nasty rott on it. There is an area that will need to be chopped out and replaced there, it should be easy to do when the floors are put in. Here's a pic of that rot, now you can see along the doors, the black plastic peice that insulates the wiring running along the door, it's right below that. How serious is that in terms of structure of the car? The side of the car still looks pretty solid, it's just the rot on the driver floor carried over to that peice (rot circled):
09-09-2010, 09:15 PM
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Re: Project: '91 Rustbucket POS
Here's a good pic of what I am talking about. The yellow is the peice I am talking about, the white, is the area that is rotted.
09-09-2010, 09:31 PM
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Re: Project: '91 Rustbucket POS
That's a pretty serious part of the structure, but it's not a big deal to repair it while the floor pan is removed. You won't really be able to see it, so it just needs to be solid when repaired. I call it the inner rocker panel. It's just a matter of trimming it out, then replacing with new sheetmetal. Nothing fancy, just cut the metal to the right shape an weld it in, there's not much forming that needs to be done. The new floor pan should have a flange that will get welded to your new metal.
09-09-2010, 09:38 PM
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Re: Project: '91 Rustbucket POS
Thanks for the reply!
I'm going to be busy sanding the wheel wells and everything down this weekend. I'm hoping the car will be just about completely stripped by Monday! I'm making a lot of calls to body shops, and getting a lot of quotes. I'm having the that, and the floor pans, done professionally. I'll supply the floor pans, but I'm hoping to weld them in and replace that portion of rail will cost less than $1,000 in labor. I was quoted by one body shop that they would do both floors and all the wheel wells for about $700, if I supplied the floor pans. So some shops are pretty decent on price.
I'm going to be busy sanding the wheel wells and everything down this weekend. I'm hoping the car will be just about completely stripped by Monday! I'm making a lot of calls to body shops, and getting a lot of quotes. I'm having the that, and the floor pans, done professionally. I'll supply the floor pans, but I'm hoping to weld them in and replace that portion of rail will cost less than $1,000 in labor. I was quoted by one body shop that they would do both floors and all the wheel wells for about $700, if I supplied the floor pans. So some shops are pretty decent on price.
09-09-2010, 09:55 PM
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Re: Project: '91 Rustbucket POS
What's nice is, as long as it's not going to be a super pristine show only trailer queen, it doesn't need to look perfect. As long as the rust is gone and the welds are good, it will be A-OK.
09-09-2010, 10:20 PM
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Re: Project: '91 Rustbucket POS
the road won't judge the how the bottom of the car is welded together lol. As long as it will be as strong as it was when it was new, or close to that, I'm all good! My car really isn't even that terrible... I'm looking at some of the other threads on TGO about floor pans, wow! And I'm hearing other people are having the same problem with that rot area.Check out the floors in this thread!
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/body...-you-have.html
09-18-2010, 02:39 PM
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Re: Project: '91 Rustbucket POS
Sorry guys, been a little slow with progress here! Floorpans are due to arrive soon, I've been expecting them for days, but it seems that things that are larger always take longer to recieve. It's going to be like Christmas in September when they arrive! I'm currently emailing a member on here about picking up some VERY nice black/grey 91-92 cloth bucket seats out of a Camaro. Hopefully he'll return the email soon and it'll be a done deal before tonight.
As for the Camaro, haven't spent too much time working on it, took a little break and fished for three days in a row. I needed that! After three days of no luck and no fish caught, I am ready to return to the Camaro. I am still inspecting the body for more signs of rust, or rot, I haven't found anything new. The most concerning thing is the tubular frame that sits under the door on the driver side has rotted underneath close to the front wheel, so for the mean time, the car is being supported by bricks, probably not necessary, it's not sagging, and doesn't sag when sat in, but I'd rather be safe than sorry! The carpet is absolutley discusting, and wet, so I've cut that all out of the car. I'm still working on removing the seats, the four bolts that hold them down are pretty rusty and nothing I have wants to grip them.
Like I said, progress has been a bit slow, but I supsect as soon as the floor pans arrive, this car will take off, I have a guy in Edgerton, Wisconsin who is sandblasting the bottom of the car and doing the floorpan replacement, frame work, and is patching the wheel wells. We're negotiating price, but it won't be over $1,200, so I'm happy there. Just a little disapointed that I bought it for $1,700, and will spend $2,000 fixing rust, when I could have bought a rust free shell for $1,000 lol.
I'm going to be looking for a WC-T5 setup in the near future... if anyone has one, let me know!!!
As for the Camaro, haven't spent too much time working on it, took a little break and fished for three days in a row. I needed that! After three days of no luck and no fish caught, I am ready to return to the Camaro. I am still inspecting the body for more signs of rust, or rot, I haven't found anything new. The most concerning thing is the tubular frame that sits under the door on the driver side has rotted underneath close to the front wheel, so for the mean time, the car is being supported by bricks, probably not necessary, it's not sagging, and doesn't sag when sat in, but I'd rather be safe than sorry! The carpet is absolutley discusting, and wet, so I've cut that all out of the car. I'm still working on removing the seats, the four bolts that hold them down are pretty rusty and nothing I have wants to grip them.
Like I said, progress has been a bit slow, but I supsect as soon as the floor pans arrive, this car will take off, I have a guy in Edgerton, Wisconsin who is sandblasting the bottom of the car and doing the floorpan replacement, frame work, and is patching the wheel wells. We're negotiating price, but it won't be over $1,200, so I'm happy there. Just a little disapointed that I bought it for $1,700, and will spend $2,000 fixing rust, when I could have bought a rust free shell for $1,000 lol.
I'm going to be looking for a WC-T5 setup in the near future... if anyone has one, let me know!!!
09-18-2010, 02:56 PM
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Re: Project: '91 Rustbucket POS
New seats!!! Set of front and rear, $125, shipped! They need a good cleaning, but wow, will these look good in a red Z28
09-21-2010, 11:06 PM
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Re: Project: '91 Rustbucket POS
dang i should have posted earlier, i have a set of new classic industries pans i have been trying to get rid of for a while, paid 600 for both back when and want 300, nobody in iowa wants them. Should have kept the RS you sold me and made it a Z28, but seriously i would love to have that car no matter what shape its in. once you have done the pans the rest of the rust you have isn't that bad. doing most of the work will save you so much it's not even funny. i dont know why so many people get scared when rust comes into play, its just time and some sheet metal. also when he blasts the underneath have him do the rear inner wheel wells that way you can see what all needs to be repaired under the under coating.
09-21-2010, 11:26 PM
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Re: Project: '91 Rustbucket POS
The seats look pretty decent, although you probably could have found a better deal in a JY for a nice set of 4th gen seats.
Just make sure you don't fall through the floor after you bolt those in
Just make sure you don't fall through the floor after you bolt those in
09-22-2010, 06:54 PM
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Re: Project: '91 Rustbucket POS
Yours floors are only slightly worse than mine and yes, you are correct- there are not many reasonably priced 3rd gens here in Wisconsin w/o rust. I missed it on mine when I bought it in the dark and the carpet was actually frozen solid enough to look good.
Anyway I'm staring to cut this weekend and will be welding next if things go well. Good luck!
Anyway I'm staring to cut this weekend and will be welding next if things go well. Good luck!
09-28-2010, 10:57 AM
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Re: Project: '91 Rustbucket POS
Good thread, I'd love to see how this turns out. And I'm glad that you're doing this, especially since these cars are very hard to find in your area. Just take your time and do it right.
I don't see too many of those cars here either (CT) and my 91 TA is often the only thirdgen I see at car shows in the area. A bright red clean 91-92 Z28 is out of the question here. Plus a lot of Europeans would probably kill to get their hands on a thirdgen in any condition.
Oh and forgive me if you already mentioned this, but a healthy coating of POR-15/Chassis Saver or any other rust killing paint on the underside will do wonders.
I don't see too many of those cars here either (CT) and my 91 TA is often the only thirdgen I see at car shows in the area. A bright red clean 91-92 Z28 is out of the question here. Plus a lot of Europeans would probably kill to get their hands on a thirdgen in any condition.
Oh and forgive me if you already mentioned this, but a healthy coating of POR-15/Chassis Saver or any other rust killing paint on the underside will do wonders.
Last edited by musclecar70sfan; 09-28-2010 at 11:02 AM.
09-28-2010, 02:08 PM
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Re: Project: '91 Rustbucket POS
IDK where in CT you are from but in a 2 mile radius of me (Newington/West Hartford line), I can count at least 6 3rd gens that I know of.
09-28-2010, 05:13 PM
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Re: Project: '91 Rustbucket POS
Well I live in Plainville but I honestly don't see a lot. Right now I can think of maybe 5 different cars but that's still not a lot compared to mustangs for instance. And I don't see them often either. Maybe once or twice a week tops I see one driving on the road. Do you regularly see those cars? Like during morning/afternoon commutes?
09-28-2010, 06:38 PM
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Re: Project: '91 Rustbucket POS
the floor pan stuff is easy, id like to see some detail pics of the a pillar repair if u get a chance, had to do the same w my 87 car was 800, 150 on steel sheets 80 on insulation E-Z cool 50 on seam sealer (re did entire car), 50 on ruberized undercoating...all done w flux wire so not uber pretty, but no ones seein it
for the piece u have circled in yellow u can make small L tabs to hold the floor up before welding...then weld it directly to the rocker panel area (the part ppl crush jacking it up. basicly the thin strip the floor sits on, ifs its rotted, make your own. ill dig around to see if i had better pics, i also had to remake the foot rest (area where you put your left foot on if your not using it)
for the piece u have circled in yellow u can make small L tabs to hold the floor up before welding...then weld it directly to the rocker panel area (the part ppl crush jacking it up. basicly the thin strip the floor sits on, ifs its rotted, make your own. ill dig around to see if i had better pics, i also had to remake the foot rest (area where you put your left foot on if your not using it)
Last edited by TwinTurboROC; 09-28-2010 at 06:46 PM.
09-28-2010, 08:25 PM
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Re: Project: '91 Rustbucket POS
Thanks so much for all the input guys!!! It means so much! I've spent the last few days tracking down all the wiring in the car. Not the most fun, but it's really exciting to save it! When I had my '92, it was the only 91-92 I saw around! Time to save one from the crusher!
I'll be rewiring my hatch pull down, wondered why it didn't work, wires are all burnt up!
I'll be rewiring my hatch pull down, wondered why it didn't work, wires are all burnt up!
Last edited by ThreeOhFive; 09-28-2010 at 08:54 PM.
10-01-2010, 11:04 AM
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10-07-2010, 07:52 PM
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Re: Project: '91 Rustbucket POS
Progress is made!!! She is now stripped to the bare bones, and in all honesty, isn't too shabby! Didn't find any more rot or rust! The area's that were bad are now easily accessible for repair. The top of the driver rear wheel well rotted through, but there is A LOT of good metal to attach new metal too, so that will be a quick job, and cheap to do right. The floors are bad, but I already knew that, and I was surprised that they weren't worse! So far I'm off to a good start, floors and fixing rust will be first, the bolts all came off nice and easy, the fenders are shot, like most of our cars. I'll have to remake the brackets to hold them on, those are gone with the rust, but everything else, like I said... pretty solid! I got a ton of pics, more later, but here are the cell phone pics of some of the car. I got a 6 foot tall wall of parts on one side of the garage lol. And too all the haters who said this car would cost me A LOT of $$$$$, so far I've got a new black interior plastics, new black seats, and brand new Classic Industries floor pans, and I'm still under $500 part wise... hmmm.
PICS:
PICS:
Last edited by ThreeOhFive; 10-07-2010 at 08:08 PM.
10-07-2010, 09:10 PM
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Re: Project: '91 Rustbucket POS
Don't get too comfortable! lol. The car looks pretty promising now. Can't wait to see what's gonna become of it!
10-08-2010, 02:41 PM
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Re: Project: '91 Rustbucket POS
Yep, I said the same thing to my family when they said it will take alot of money to get it fixed up. I said the same poop that all I would need is $500 to get it up to shape and well that was 5 months ago and that $500 only covered a 9 bolt 3:27 posi upgrade, lower control arms, panhard bar and new Kyb Gr2's 
.
Good deals are everywhere, As for those seats, if you are willing to make a trip to Hammond IN, A complete set is there of that style and look good in condition at a Yard there. For around $95 you could of grabbed all 4. Like Awesome-X said make some Junkyard trips, good deals will follow. I have found almost everything I needed for my 92 everything from a good headliner to 91-92 blisters and everything was dirt cheap a total cost of probably around $350 that would of cost me over 1500 if purchased online.
Keep up the good work, nothing patience wont fix.
. Good deals are everywhere, As for those seats, if you are willing to make a trip to Hammond IN, A complete set is there of that style and look good in condition at a Yard there. For around $95 you could of grabbed all 4. Like Awesome-X said make some Junkyard trips, good deals will follow. I have found almost everything I needed for my 92 everything from a good headliner to 91-92 blisters and everything was dirt cheap a total cost of probably around $350 that would of cost me over 1500 if purchased online.
Keep up the good work, nothing patience wont fix.
10-09-2010, 09:55 PM
#73
Re: Project: '91 Rustbucket POS
I am so glad you're fixing up your Camaro and getting rid of most all the rust. Its a Third Gen so its worth being fixed up. I dont care what the negative people say, 91s and 92 Z/28s arent as plentiful as the 80s Camaros are. I cant wait to see more of your car being worked on. Keep the pics coming!
10-10-2010, 04:23 AM
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Re: Project: '91 Rustbucket POS
Look at it this way.. look at how much you are learning about cars in the process. Not only that, but when done, and this car is "your baby", you will know EXACTLY how much went into making it what it is. There's something there that the guy who buys a completely redone show car doesn't have. (Not knocking "that guy" either... just making the point).
10-10-2010, 06:15 AM
#75
Re: Project: '91 Rustbucket POS
[quote=ThreeOhFive;4697337]Progress is made!!! She is now stripped to the bare bones, and in all honesty, isn't too shabby! Didn't find any more rot or rust! The area's that were bad are now easily accessible for repair. The top of the driver rear wheel well rotted through, but there is A LOT of good metal to attach new metal too, so that will be a quick job, and cheap to do right. The floors are bad, but I already knew that, and I was surprised that they weren't worse! So far I'm off to a good start, floors and fixing rust will be first, the bolts all came off nice and easy, the fenders are shot, like most of our cars. I'll have to remake the brackets to hold them on, those are gone with the rust, but everything else, like I said... pretty solid! I got a ton of pics, more later, but here are the cell phone pics of some of the car. I got a 6 foot tall wall of parts on one side of the garage lol. And too all the haters who said this car would cost me A LOT of $$$$$, so far I've got a new black interior plastics, new black seats, and brand new Classic Industries floor pans, and I'm still under $500 part wise... hmmm.
PICS:
You sir have inspired me .... I am truly amazed at what some people have to do when they take on projects and this one with just the rust alone would have made me run. I bought a 90 vette project off the bay for 1500 and it's been a financial nightmare it had holes in the floors (from jacking I think) but they are glass so not as rough as what you have to go through obviously. I just never looked into the big picture of the cost of vette parts and bit me in the butt hard. But the initial purchase price could have been re-couped by a quik part out of it. But almost two years later (mostly cause I am lazy) it is starting to look good again with new interior,weatherstripping,tires and rims,exhaust,engine work,body panels replaced,complete a/c replacement from another 90 that was parted out so it now has cold a/c,holes in decklid from big aluminum spoiler,all body panels damaged. Real neglected car thats for sure but luckily with the economy being so bad it blessed me with cheap body parts and other parts.
Keep up the good work guy, you will get far more satisfaction fixing it up then you would have buying a mint one.
here my money pit
PICS:
You sir have inspired me .... I am truly amazed at what some people have to do when they take on projects and this one with just the rust alone would have made me run. I bought a 90 vette project off the bay for 1500 and it's been a financial nightmare it had holes in the floors (from jacking I think) but they are glass so not as rough as what you have to go through obviously. I just never looked into the big picture of the cost of vette parts and bit me in the butt hard. But the initial purchase price could have been re-couped by a quik part out of it. But almost two years later (mostly cause I am lazy) it is starting to look good again with new interior,weatherstripping,tires and rims,exhaust,engine work,body panels replaced,complete a/c replacement from another 90 that was parted out so it now has cold a/c,holes in decklid from big aluminum spoiler,all body panels damaged. Real neglected car thats for sure but luckily with the economy being so bad it blessed me with cheap body parts and other parts.
Keep up the good work guy, you will get far more satisfaction fixing it up then you would have buying a mint one.
here my money pit
10-10-2010, 06:16 AM
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Re: Project: '91 Rustbucket POS
glad to see it can be saved! hope maybe someday there's enough of mine left to fix, haha...
I also just found a 91Z28 that i'm going to go look at, maybe its fate saving me a ton of hard work.
I also just found a 91Z28 that i'm going to go look at, maybe its fate saving me a ton of hard work.
10-10-2010, 09:57 AM
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Re: Project: '91 Rustbucket POS
Wow even the floors in a C4 are fiberglass?! Anyway that's a nice project Jeff.
10-10-2010, 10:27 AM
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Re: Project: '91 Rustbucket POS
dont let anyone get you down on fixing that rust , took me a year to get rid of all the rust on my 82 and had fun doing it (floorpan,spare tire wheel well, quaterpanel and lots of little spots. finnaly at doing the driveline. couldnt care less if it was worth only a dollar i had fun doing it
10-11-2010, 12:09 AM
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10-18-2010, 10:49 PM
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Re: Project: '91 Rustbucket POS
Someone has to save a rusty Thirdgen. We can't all be picky and pass on a car that has just a spot of rust. I live in Wisconsin. My '92 RS that I just sold, I had to go all the way to Florida to get. There is nothing remotely close to rust free around here, and the one's that are in good shape, go for way more you would ever want to even pay for the rarest of Thirdgens. Do you know how many Thirdgens I see actually driving every year in this area? I work in Madison, Wisconsin, and do quite a bit of traveling... I'm lucky to see 5 thirdgens, in a years period. They simply don't exist in this area any more. They are all rotted out in junkyards. I didn't have the money to spend finding a roller and transporting it all the way to Wisconsin, but I was able to find a car that could be saved through a lot of work, so I bought it. $1,700 cash (If that gives you any idea of how much even a beat up, rotted out Thirdgen is worth around here...) I'd never seen a red Z28 in my life, most of you are lucky enough to see them every day. I get stoked every time I see a nice F-body around here, even if it's a rust bucket. So you guys can all sit on here and say, "burn it" or "scrap it" but maybe I'm just the only one on here that actually has the motivation now days to work hard, maybe spend a bit more, and build up a car that was trashed for 20 years, rather than buy somebody's trailer queen or garage queen. Like I said earlier, every time I log on to this site, someone else is posting up a Thirdgen as a parts car, and so many are 91's and 92's. You can all scrap your cars, go ahead. I have loved these cars since I was little and they were brand new. I don't have the heart to take one off the road forever.
I don't want to sound like an a**hole, but if you guys are going to post anything negative about my car being "scrap, junk, a parts car", don't post in this thread, keep those opinions to yourself. To the people offering parts, and being supportive to one of the only people here willing to actually SAVE a Thirdgen, thank you! I need your help!
Now, as for the car, the plan for it is, I'm stripping the car down, interior, all ground effects, nose, the fenders, spoiler, bumper, all lights, hood, doors, windshield, hatch, and the engine and tranny, exhaust, etc, are going to be removed. Only thing left in the car will be the wiring harnesses. That'll be my first big project.
I don't want to sound like an a**hole, but if you guys are going to post anything negative about my car being "scrap, junk, a parts car", don't post in this thread, keep those opinions to yourself. To the people offering parts, and being supportive to one of the only people here willing to actually SAVE a Thirdgen, thank you! I need your help!
Now, as for the car, the plan for it is, I'm stripping the car down, interior, all ground effects, nose, the fenders, spoiler, bumper, all lights, hood, doors, windshield, hatch, and the engine and tranny, exhaust, etc, are going to be removed. Only thing left in the car will be the wiring harnesses. That'll be my first big project.
My first car (I began driving in 1975) was a rusted-out 1970 Chevelle 350 4BBL Sport Coupe. It had hand-sized rust holes in its fenders, and 89k miles when I bought it. I slaved away on that car, every evening, all summer in 1977, to get it ready for paint, and my friend shot the paint at his body shop. It turned out gorgeous! There's nothing quite like that feeling, kind of "saving a car from death", in my book
I later did the same with a 1978 Chevy K5 Blazer 4x4, although on that one I did have to get some patch panel welding help before I actually prepped and painted the whole truck myself. It had some flaws... but was still a very cool feeling cruising around in a truck I'd restored myself.
I didn't "make a profit" on either vehicle... but learned a ton along the way and had a lot of fun driving both around after the work was done. My advice - go for it! Just be safe along the way. You can replace metal, rubber and glass, but not a finger if you cut corners on safety.
10-19-2010, 06:37 PM
#82
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Re: Project: '91 Rustbucket POS
Update... floors getting done this weekend! Fingers crossed I am leaving it to a body shop so it's done right! Expensive though... But I'll still be way under budget after the floors are done anyway! I've spent $500 since I bought it on parts/labor, I budgeted to spend $1,500-2,000 by this point! Things are going great. After the floors are done, motor and trans will be next on the agenda.
Thanks TGO, for being such an amazing resource for advice, and parts, for incredible prices. This project is off to a great start! Now I get to look forward to my first BIG bill for the car, put my new floors in, redo both passenger and driver inner quarters, wheel well patching, both sides, front and rear... Approximently $1,400 :/ lol.
I would have of liked to pull the motor and trans before this point, but I was worried about the strength of the body. Probably would have been fine, but you can't be too sure!
I am leaving it to a body shop so it's done right! Expensive though... But I'll still be way under budget after the floors are done anyway! I've spent $500 since I bought it on parts/labor, I budgeted to spend $1,500-2,000 by this point! Things are going great. After the floors are done, motor and trans will be next on the agenda.Thanks TGO, for being such an amazing resource for advice, and parts, for incredible prices. This project is off to a great start! Now I get to look forward to my first BIG bill for the car, put my new floors in, redo both passenger and driver inner quarters, wheel well patching, both sides, front and rear... Approximently $1,400 :/ lol.
I would have of liked to pull the motor and trans before this point, but I was worried about the strength of the body. Probably would have been fine, but you can't be too sure!
Last edited by ThreeOhFive; 10-19-2010 at 06:41 PM.
10-21-2010, 01:04 PM
#83
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Car: 1989 Camaro RS
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Re: Project: '91 Rustbucket POS
Update... floors getting done this weekend! Fingers crossed I am leaving it to a body shop so it's done right! Expensive though... But I'll still be way under budget after the floors are done anyway! I've spent $500 since I bought it on parts/labor, I budgeted to spend $1,500-2,000 by this point! Things are going great. After the floors are done, motor and trans will be next on the agenda.
Thanks TGO, for being such an amazing resource for advice, and parts, for incredible prices. This project is off to a great start! Now I get to look forward to my first BIG bill for the car, put my new floors in, redo both passenger and driver inner quarters, wheel well patching, both sides, front and rear... Approximently $1,400 :/ lol.
I would have of liked to pull the motor and trans before this point, but I was worried about the strength of the body. Probably would have been fine, but you can't be too sure!
I am leaving it to a body shop so it's done right! Expensive though... But I'll still be way under budget after the floors are done anyway! I've spent $500 since I bought it on parts/labor, I budgeted to spend $1,500-2,000 by this point! Things are going great. After the floors are done, motor and trans will be next on the agenda.Thanks TGO, for being such an amazing resource for advice, and parts, for incredible prices. This project is off to a great start! Now I get to look forward to my first BIG bill for the car, put my new floors in, redo both passenger and driver inner quarters, wheel well patching, both sides, front and rear... Approximently $1,400 :/ lol.
I would have of liked to pull the motor and trans before this point, but I was worried about the strength of the body. Probably would have been fine, but you can't be too sure!
10-21-2010, 07:09 PM
#84
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Car: 83 Z28
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Re: Project: '91 Rustbucket POS
Wow, you got a long road ahead. That is one of my favorite years. I had to pass on a 92 Z28 red w/black stripes 350 auto, posi w/disks a few years ago. I could have picked it up for like $500 but it was beat bad and had 249,000 miles on it. Good luck on your project, it helps me feel better about my current 83 Z28.
10-21-2010, 07:24 PM
#85
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Re: Project: '91 Rustbucket POS
Thanks so much, Maverick22! Here's some high res shots of the car stripped, outside in daylight, she's pretty close to naked 
but here's a good look at what I've got to work with!
but here's a good look at what I've got to work with! 
10-21-2010, 07:29 PM
#91
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Re: Project: '91 Rustbucket POS
Ugh... inner fenders need to be redone.
10-21-2010, 08:04 PM
#92
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Car: 1989 Camaro RS
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Re: Project: '91 Rustbucket POS
Awesome, just awesome, I'm stripping my whole car too, awesome pics too!
10-30-2010, 07:01 PM
#93
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Car: Bone stock 1989 Iroc T-Top,1991 Z28
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Re: Project: '91 Rustbucket POS
In everyones opinion, is the floorboard rot caused by water retained on the inside of these cars(t-tops) or from the underside? They all seem to rot out the forward passenger compartment and not the back seat floors
10-30-2010, 07:48 PM
#94
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Re: Project: '91 Rustbucket POS
for a while, my car had 2 plastic mats, but for some reason, I would only get condensation on the passenger side with the AC on...serious condensation.
10-31-2010, 04:11 PM
#95
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Re: Project: '91 Rustbucket POS
IMHO, i think it starts from the underside and works its way in. The conditions in the midwest certainly don't help - especially if the car was driven year round for 20 years.
The rot being worse on the drivers side could be from the carpet in footwells constantly getting wet from snow or wet shoes over the years, but it sure seems like the carpet would have to be wet pretty constantly for the floors to rot this bad. However, it would explain why the drivers side is worse than the passenger side. If it's being attacked from the outside (salt) and the inside (water) I can see where it wouldn't take long to disintegrate.
10-31-2010, 04:46 PM
#96
Re: Project: '91 Rustbucket POS
The rot being worse on the drivers side could be from the carpet in footwells constantly getting wet from snow or wet shoes over the years, but it sure seems like the carpet would have to be wet pretty constantly for the floors to rot this bad. However, it would explain why the drivers side is worse than the passenger side. If it's being attacked from the outside (salt) and the inside (water) I can see where it wouldn't take long to disintegrate.
10-31-2010, 09:16 PM
#97
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Car: 89 IROC-Z & 92 RS
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Re: Project: '91 Rustbucket POS
From my experience the metal that GM used in the 80's to mid 90's was just crap be it impurities or quality as was the corrosion protection (primers and paints). Any of our cars from the snow belt that is driven year round doesn't stand a chance. the snow and salt gets packed in behind the front wheels and rear wheel wells that always rust. once it starts its just a cancer that takes over unless you do something about it. southern cars don't really have this issue, and its not like they don't get rain. so it has to be the combo of bad metal/corrosion protection and exposure to snow/salt. I bought 305's old RS which was a florida car originally for a long time till he brought it back to wisconsin and has t-tops...no rust to be found anywhere. also my other car is an 89 iroc that was originally in minnesota then brought to iowa. this car was always garaged and never saw snow, not driven much either with only 79k on it. No rust to be found anywhere and i mean anywhere. By the way 305 did you get the pans in, how did those work for you? man what a deal!!!
11-28-2010, 11:18 PM
#99
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Re: Project: '91 Rustbucket POS
Progress has been slow due to a relationship going bad, and health problems, but I'm much better. More progress pics to come! The Z is packed in the garage with all of it's new parts
12-01-2010, 09:27 AM
#100
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Re: Project: '91 Rustbucket POS
This is entertaining. Anyway, good luck, I'm days away from tearing mine down myself. I love the third gen but would love to have a project on an early 2nd. I think of this project as my practice run.
Looking forward to seeing the pics of what you find when you start tearing the floor pans out.
Looking forward to seeing the pics of what you find when you start tearing the floor pans out.