where to look for rust
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Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 66
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From: Ohio
Car: 1983 Sport Coup
Engine: 305
Transmission: 5 speed overdrive
where to look for rust
hello - i'm looking at an 84 Berlinetta that appears to be rust free from the pictures, which include some close ups along the bottom of the door/rocker panel and the fenders behind the tires. My question is can you determine if the floors are rusted out by crawling underneath or is there a separate layer inside the car that requires the carpet be pulled back to check?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 110
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From: Minnesota
Car: Customized 1982 z28
Engine: L98 350
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.23 10 bolt Limited Slip
Re: where to look for rust
You should be able to get a good idea from underneath. Check under the driver’s side pan, check the wheel wells and the trunk well. Check out the frame rails and the pinch weld.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 66
Likes: 4
From: Ohio
Car: 1983 Sport Coup
Engine: 305
Transmission: 5 speed overdrive
Re: where to look for rust
thanks for the reply! I've read a lot of posts and see a lot of ugly pictures on here of rusted out floor pans, but i wasn't sure if it could look fine from the outside but be completely shot on the inside.
and if i could ask - what is the pinch weld?
thanks!
and if i could ask - what is the pinch weld?
thanks!
Re: where to look for rust
Also , a peek at the strut towers under the hood , as well as the firewall itself is good practice too . Basically look it all over real good ...
Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 110
Likes: 1
From: Minnesota
Car: Customized 1982 z28
Engine: L98 350
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.23 10 bolt Limited Slip
Re: where to look for rust
It’s possible with T-Top cars where it has rained in the car and water has sat. I woukdn’t worry too much about that though. There will usually be some indication underneath unless it is just starting. You could probably smell a mildewy smell in the carpet.
The pinch weld is where the floor pan and the rocker panel meet (and are welded) under the car. It looks like a line running from front to rear on either side. People jack the car up on them, you aren’t really supposed to, they get bent/scratched and provide that initial bare metal for rust to start.
The pinch weld is where the floor pan and the rocker panel meet (and are welded) under the car. It looks like a line running from front to rear on either side. People jack the car up on them, you aren’t really supposed to, they get bent/scratched and provide that initial bare metal for rust to start.
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Joined: Jun 2009
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Re: where to look for rust
It's a good idea if you can see in person, or get good pics of the underneath. If the seller is interested in selling, and honest, they will probably not mind getting a few pics for you.
Especially if they are asking good $$ for it.
Especially if they are asking good $$ for it.
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Joined: Jun 2013
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From: Atlantic Canada
Car: 87 Trans Am
Engine: LS1
Transmission: T56
Re: where to look for rust
Good spot to look is along the rockers near the kick panels both inside the car (remove plastic trim and pull carpet back) and on the outside behind the fender (just remove the fender liner to see). Currently (still) doing floors and that was rotten on both sides.
Check the subframe members where the trans mount bolts to. My drivers side needed to be replaced, passenger side was perfect.
Check along the BACK of the strut towers where they meet up with the firewall, debris sits there, holds water and can cause some rot.
Check the subframe members where the trans mount bolts to. My drivers side needed to be replaced, passenger side was perfect.
Check along the BACK of the strut towers where they meet up with the firewall, debris sits there, holds water and can cause some rot.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 66
Likes: 4
From: Ohio
Car: 1983 Sport Coup
Engine: 305
Transmission: 5 speed overdrive
Re: where to look for rust
thanks for the great feedback! It's also really helpful to know the terminology so i can go to youtube and see exactly what i need to check.
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Feb 29, 2004 09:07 PM