possible f body purchase

[instro84]

thinking about buyin a second gen T/A, any tips on problem area's i should check?TIA

[BonzoHansen]

the usual.rust: rear frame rails, dash near the a-pillars (such as near the vin), floor pans, rear quarters esp up by the window

[a73formula]

up by the rear window and and all around the rear quarters and make sure you take a flash light and look inside the trunk at the quarters as well.

[NOT A TA]

The cowl has a pocket on each side that water sits in if the car isn't driven. These frequently rust through and allow water to sit in the carpet rusting the toeboards and floors. Look through the underhood grill with a flashlight to check.

The door window gaskets leak in the upper rear corner and allows water into the rear footwells.

Base corners of rear window get rust on 70-74. The later ones get rust through on the lower sides of the rear window. Vinyl top cars are more prone to rust around all windows because water is trapped under the edges of the vinyl as well as the trim that runs around the base of the vinyl in the rear.

The trunk hinge area has pockets where water sits and causes rust through by the hinge support welded to the body. The fender to unibody seam in that same area rusts through under the body putty. Both places allow water in the trunk.

The tail light gaskets leak water into the trunk. The panel between the tail lights behind the tail panel rusts because water gets in there easily but not much air circulation to dry it.

The water that gets into the interior causes condensation due to daily heating cooling cycles which causes rust at the base of the rear window and in the lower corners of the windshield as noted earlier.

Rustbelt cars have frame rust issues around the front spring pocket area of the rear leaf springs. Cars that had air shocks may have damaged upper rear shock mount areas. cracked rear spring leafs are not uncommon if it still has the original springs and sits with a "Detroit lean". They crack right under the axle.

Check the bottoms of the doors. If the weep holes get plugged up the bottom of the door rusts out but can look fine from outside or in the car.

Look for a crack in the roof sheetmetal at the upper rear corner of the door window. Flex from big power or driving on very uneven surfaces regularly causes it. T top cars seem more prone to it.

Early cars usually have a rusted out core support under the radiator itself. Leaves blow in the big holes and rot holding water. Gotta inspect from the bottom. Still no repro's as far as I know.

Doors are prone to worn hinges, lift ends of doors to check play. Also exterior handles get worn. Can spot a crooked one from 20' and know it's worn.

Warped/cracked dashes are common and no reproductions available.

[LeighP]

But....other than that, they're a great car!

lol...I've owned a few, I love them...

[srh3trinity]

Not A TA provided a great rundown. I haven't fully torn mine down yet. I had quarter panel rust and I went ahead and had the quarters done along with outer wheelhouses. Mine was in good shape otherwise. The previous owner had ripped all of the carpet out before parking it and I think that preserved it. Mine had some rear window channel rust, but it was a vinyl top car and I think that was a contributing factor.