Removing the front clip

[ChrisMiami]

Oh holy crap! I just know I'm going to find something like this under my fiberglass. Hold on:

So, in the last 4 months, how has it gone? New pics?

Chris

[ktruff46]

Haven't had a whole lot of time to work on the Vette lately. Work has me traveling a lot and with my son moving back in, it has left my garage more of a storage unit than a workshop. I have decided that the entire birdcage will get replaced and the plan is to start working on it again in a few months. Right now just doing little projects, cleaning/painting misc parts and wiring harnesses. I will post more pics when they become available.

[MaineVette]

Well at least your making a bit of progress! Keep us posted, I'll be curious to hear your thoughts on the front clip installation process. Mine was a bear, but I suspect it was mostly because I was using a new replacement clip.

[ktruff46]

Well, I found an execellent '74 birdcage about 30 miles from my house for $150. All solid with only surface rust. Got it cleaned up and painted and temporarily set back on the frame.
Started the process of removing the rest of the body from the old cage. Almost finished with that, should be able to remove the rear section tomorrow and then scrap the old cage.
Then the fun of reattaching everything to the new cage.
I will post some pics later tonight or tomorrow of my progress.
Wish me luck!
Ken

[nwav8tor]

Sooo glad you were able to find a birdcage in good condition close to your home! Good luck with the project...

paul

[MaineVette]

Awesome! And, at $150 for a solid birdcage that's a really good deal! Nice work. Post some pics of you have a chance.

[ktruff46]

Well the birdcage is completely removed fom the body. Took only a couple of hours to finish with the help of an engine hoist. I will be out of town for a few days but plan to take pics of the rusted cage this week end and post. Then all will see the complete reason I needed to replace the cage.
This was a huge step because now all of the disassembly is finished...from here on out, everything is assembling, so it's over the hump!!!!!
YYYEEEAAAA!!!!!!
By the way, if anyone needs the upper windshield frame let me know. I repaired that part before I fully realized how bad the rust was so it is good and solid! Just shoot me an email. Ktruff46@yahoo.com

[vito]

Ken,

Sent e mail to your account.

Cheers

Vito

[MaineVette]

Awesome!

Did you remove the entire birdcage from the body, or just the windshield frame portion? I seem to recall that to take the entire birdcage out you need to disassemble just about the entire body.

Looking forward to seeing your pics.

[ktruff46]

The entire cage had to go. It really wasn't all that hard to do. Had to remove the door sills (fiberglass part), the front door frame covers, and the lock pillar covers. I cheated a little by just cutting the lock pillars covers off at the seams instead of separating the bonding strips. It is inside the door opening and the way I have it in mind I will be able to reinforce the cut areas from the backside and fill and reconstruct with glass and resin. I will be posting pictures in the next few days.
Ken