Hi everyone,
I am researching and collecting a variety of opinions right now. I recently purchased a 1984 camaro z28, manuel transmission, 350 v8 4 bolt main. This weekend it was supposed to be getting a new clutch kit in it and the guy found a tear in the frame. The tear is about 8 inches long and in the past someone tried to fix it by bolting 3 strips of metal that are 1/8in. thick by 1 inch wide by 6inches long to keep it from tearing more. It is located on the passenger side right in front of the rear tire well and starts about 3-4 inches from the edge of the car. So far everything I'm reading says this is hopeless to fix. Is there anyway to fix this? Is it going to affect structural integrity and in what way would it affect the structure? What kind of cost might I be looking at?

By the way, the tear's seams are closed together at this time.

Jeannie

 

The best option would be to get a nice roller body taht doesnt have a damaged subframe and transfer all your parts onto that.

 

you could find a nice roller for like 500$ and transfer all your stuff over.

 

everybody is so quick to say trash it and buy a roller.

It seems to be a strange place for the tear to be, can you get a pic?

Fix it? sure, weld it up. Not a big deal, unless the area is not described well and a pic would be answer that question.

Im assuming its on the "frame" where the lower control arm attaches?

 

i second that, my 90 iroc was hit in the rear by a semi and the rear frame rail was trashed, every one said get a roller, so i replaced the frame rail, and restored the car. Metal can be fixed. there are alot of cars out there that have been in bad accidents that have been fixed so there is no reason that you cant fix it. the only thing that you have to consider is how much will it cost to fix. the parts will be fairly cheap, however labor can be a killer. post pictures and see what people think. if it is an easy fix it is one thing, when your talking rail replacement, parts aren't to bad but the labor and time spent, it may be more cost effective to buy a roller. it really depends on what the tear looks like and where it is located

 

It is only metal, it can be welded, after all it was welded at the factory. A picture is worth a thousand words.... If the strips of metal are holding it together, then a weld most definately will!! Post a pic and let us see... It might change some people's opinion, after all, the "frame" is technically the whole underside of the car!!!! LOL

 

yeah, we really need a picture (or several) to give suggestions on how to repair it. I can't picture it from a description because it sounds unusual. Is there rust in the area?

 

Well The thing is when you get Another roller, Think about how many people do that. they all disappear. Oh well. If it was me I would try and fix it. Anything can be done, just its how much your willing to do for it.