pockets below trailing arm

[keywestjack]

The 77 I am working on has some major rust issue (yea don't they all). I have removed the body and while working on the frame noticed that the pockets below the trailing arm had a lot of s--t clogging the drain hole. Well one side has a hole behind the pocket into the cross member. I am thinking about cutting the pocket off with a cut off wheel, fixing the hole then welding the pocket back on. This is just a first thought, but I need your input. Does this sound do able. Lord knows the condition of the metal behind.

 

[MYBAD79]

anything is "doable" with a welder and some talent.... use temporary braces while you cut the pocket to prevent the weakened frame from changing shape. It's going to be a challenge. Keep in mind: if it was easy anybody could do it

 

[Red]

A agree with MYBAD79, but here is where you need to be honest with yourself. If fixing that area is worth the effort, you need to evaluate the entire frame. If that is the only bad spot and generally the frame is in good condition, get to it. At some point it makes economic sense to buy and start with another frame if there are many weak spots. After repairing a marginal frame, I ended up buying a solid original frame for my peace of mind. Shipping a frame can be expensive, but if you are near one of their terminals, check out Forward Air Freight. Shipping from terminal to terminal, they have the best prices I have found, but you need to make a proper shipping crate.

 

[mrvette]

IF you have any friends in the shipping business, they maybe have a contract for a freight company, and so you maybe have to pack it up....like I built a glued and screwed 1/2" ply box for the hardtop off my '72 vette here, and it got there no sweat....somewhere out mid west...and so the guy had a contact at work, dun deal...like less than 100 bux...picked up here at my drive, into the truck and down the road.....
same thing some time later, kitchen cab doors delivered on a pallet to the local shopping center, outta the back lift gate, right into my van, and done deal....dunno the ship cost on that one though...suspect less then 100 bux once again....they came from Arkansas.....

:drink:

 

[keywestjack]

The frame is in good shape. Except...problem is the previous owner(s) never cleaned out the drain holes either in the end cap of the frame and the pocket below the T-arm. I replaced the end cap. The hole in the cross member behind the pocket i about the size of a dime. If the front cover for the pocket was removed, I could weld up the hole.

 

[Red]

You are lucky your frame rust is limited to a few spots, good luck with it!

 

[keywestjack]

:smash:Got my new Eastwood 175 mig welder and made short work of it. I figured I had nothing to loose so went ahead and welded it up with a good patch panel. It looks pretty good for a dumb ass (me).