oldtin wrote: I've sworn off any vehicles that have ever been north of the Mason-Dixon line. You're lucky. When I take bolts out they spin freely - but they're bringing a chunk of crusty body panel with them.
I would never consider buying a car with even surface rust covering that area. I must be spoiled.
friedgreencorrado wrote: Moral of the story: Y'all who live in the land of Ice & Salt, I would wish to express my most profound respect. I've read stories of you folks doing this kind of work in unheated garages and unpaved driveways in winter. Hardcore stuff, I admire you.
Hat tip to you sir. Michigan breeds it's own version of garage skill. My bib overall Carhartts look as though they've been to hell and back from winter wrenching.
patgizz wrote: ... always in winter with snow on ground. It's worse if you pull it inside and turn on the heat, because the salty slush melts and burns your eyes.
I don't know if it's "worse", but it's barely any better. Between the salt water slush dripping on you, and the rust seized / sheared connectors/bolts to contend with, it's enough to cause several bouts of cursing and wrench throwing.
patgizz wrote: I've done more than i care to remember in the snow on a gravel driveway with rust chunks falling in my eyes. This is why i started buying southern projects...
Amen to southern projects. The 24 hour round trip from somewhere in Michigan to 12 hours south, to drag home a car, will easily pay for itself in time saved over the life of the car in shorter repairs, easier restoration, and longevity in avoiding rot. For older stuff I pretty much exclusively hunt in the south now.
Yeah, no one in the south or west realizes how easy they have it untill they try a northern car....
Oh yes we do. That's why we live down here. 
EvanB wrote:friedgreencorrado wrote: EDIT: I guess what I'm trying to say is that there might be good clean chassis down here, but not many of the *real* versions of cars we love. Look at the hot rod guys using old Southern 6-cyl Mustangs/Camaros to build "tributes" to RS/SS/Z28/Shelby/whatever. Remember my mom's HF. Even if the tub is clean, I have a BMW E36-ton of work if I want to build a clean Si.You may have a E36 M3 ton of work to do building a clean Si but it is still better than rust repair.
Upvote for you, sir!
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