Engine Compartment: After working in mustang restoration shops that specialize in the mustang only I have learned that you really need to pay close attention to certain aspects of the engine compartment, usually along the top of the radiator support is a good place to start your inspection.
I have noticed over the years that mustangs like to rust in this area, it could be due to the fact that the battery sits right on the radiator support of the car, and when you change the battery out, your dripping acid on the top of the radiator support, you should always look at this area.
Next is the radiator support itself, since the battery tray is bolted to the radiator support you'll always find rust holes around the battery tray in the radiator support of the car, you should always plan on fixing this area of the car, and you should always inspect it thoroughly.
Side Skirts Of The Engine Compartment: This is another area that it's common to find rust in, this area gets pelted by gravel from the road, and also people drill holes to hang coils, and other high performance goodies on it, you should always look at this area of the car.
Hinge Mounts: Although this is not a key area it is always best to take a look at it, over the years of operation that paint will wear off the the hinge mounts, and no paint always mean rust, so just to cover it thoroughly you should inspect this area.
Door Hinges: This is another area that you should always look at, the hinge mounts on the door, and the body itself rust due to the years of operation on the car, the paint wears off, and the rust starts, this is just a fact of life on the old cars.
You will see definite unmistakable signs of rust in this area, if you open the door and it sags, there are only two reasons for it, one is that the hinge itself has gone bad, and number two is the the hinge mounts on the door, or the body of the car have rusted, you should always look at this.
Rocker Panels: These are the body panels located right under the doors on the car, and they are a major structural parts of the car, it is really easy to check them, if the car still has paint on it, look for bubbles in the painted surface of the rocker panel.
Floor Boards: This is a major structural part of the car, and you should always look at the floor boards, it's best to just plan to replace the floor boards, patches never seem to work that well on this area of the car, so plan to replace them.
You should also look for holes in the rocker panel, this is always rust, and look for bad body patch work, such as seems coming through that don't look to be factory seems, this is a good indication that a rust patch has been done in the past, you should never fail to inspect this area of the car.
Quarter Panels: These are the biggest panels on the car, they stretch from the back of the door, all the way to the rear of the car, you'll be looking for the same things here that you did on the rocker panels, you should also look for paint lifting, and bad body work, you should always inspect this area.
Rear Wheel Wells: This is a common place for any classic car to rust, you should always look at the rear inner, and outer wheel wells, these take a constant beating from the road, salt, and a lot of other things. All you need to look for here is holes, or bad patch work.
Trunk Floors: Although during the time I worked on mustangs for the restoration shops, I didn't see a lot of trunk floor rusting out, it's a good idea to check them out, you don't want any surprises after you purchase the car, so be very thorough when you inspect it.
That about covers the mustang, up next is the Chevrolet Camaro, and it get's hit in a lot of the same areas as the mustang does, you should always inspect the car thoroughly before you buy it, I know that this is a long process, but it is a necessary one.
Chevrolet Camaro: Here I'll discuss the major body parts that you need to look at the the camaro before you but one, and it is no different from the mustang, except that the entire front clip of the car bolts on, making it much easier to repair.
Engine Compartment: I have restored a lot of camaros in my day, and they are my favorite car, I love them, the engine compartment is a much easier process to repair on a camaro them it is on a mustang, simply because it all bolt together, rather then being a welded structure.
That being said, you should thoroughly inspect all the same areas that you did in the mustang, but it is all easily replaced, and I'd say that if you find any problems with rust here, you should just replace the parts rather then repairing them.
The battery tray mounts to the radiator support just like on the mustang, an it will always rust in this area, the radiator support is cheap, and you should just replace it if you fine any rust at all, it will be cheaper, and better in the end if you replace it with a new part.
The Side Skirts, Or Front Wheel Wells: This is the very same as the radiator support, they are bolted on, and very easy to replace, if you find any rust, or bad repair work, just replace them, I always find this to be the best solution with a camaro.
Hinge Mounts: On a camaro the hinge mounts are part of the side skirts, and if you replace the side skirts you'll be replacing the hinge mounts also, this is another reason why I say you should just replace the front sheet metal on a camaro.
Door Hinges: This is another area that you should always look at, the hinge mounts on the door, and the body itself rust due to the years of operation on the car, the paint wears off, and the rust starts, this is just a fact of life on the old cars.
You will see definite unmistakable signs of rust in this area, if you open the door and it sags, there are only two reasons for it, one is that the hinge itself has gone bad, and number two is the the hinge mounts on the door, or the body of the car have rusted, you should always look at this.
Rocker Panels: These are the body panels located right under the doors on the car, and they are a major structural parts of the car, it is really easy to check them, if the car still has paint on it, look for bubbles in the painted surface of the rocker panel.
Floor Boards: This is a major structural part of the car, and you should always look at the floor boards, it's best to just plan to replace the floor boards, patches never seem to work that well on this area of the car, so plan to replace them.
Quarter Panels: These are the biggest panels on the car, they stretch from the back of the door, all the way to the rear of the car, you'll be looking for the same things here that you did on the rocker panels, you should also look for paint lifting, and bad body work, you should always inspect this area.
Rear Wheel Wells: This is a common place for any classic car to rust, you should always look at the rear inner, and outer wheel wells, these take a constant beating from the road, salt, and a lot of other things. All you need to look for here is holes, or bad patch work.
Trunk Floors: Although during the time I worked on mustangs for the restoration shops, I didn't see a lot of trunk floor rusting out, it's a good idea to check them out, you don't want any surprises after you purchase the car, so be very thorough when you inspect it.
That about covers the Chevrolet Camaro, and it get's hit in a lot of the same areas as the mustang does, you should always inspect the car thoroughly before you buy it, I know that this is a long process, but it is a necessary one.
The information Wright en by Anis.
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