I am restoring a 1959 vette. This is my second restoration, but the first where I intend to take the body off the car. I have purchased many "how to" books but all seem to leave the part out where you actually remove the body. I need to know how to build [or buy] the braces for the doors, the jig to hold the body on a trailer after removal, and any pointers on what to expect. I know a lot of you have done this prodedure and would love to get your input rather than proceed blind. Thanks!
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Re: 1959 frame off
Ed,
Norland Adams released a book/video on Body lift and Chassis disassembly. His instructions for building a frame are good,except I found that it is very important to support the rear-end, for stress will be placed on the door area were the convertible top snap screws are. (most vette suppliers have this book)
A few things to remember; record the number of shims by mounting bolt location. When you lift, be prepared to sit it back down, for something always is overlooked that needs unconnected. Record, bag, and take pictures/notes of everything you disassemble, for it may be months before you start your reassemble. Buy an Assembly Instruction Manual & Shop Service Manual. and allow twice the amount of $ that you figure will do the job. The body lifting is easy and have a lot of fun -
Re:59 Body off
I just dropped my 60 back onto the frame. A square frame made out of 2x10's
made to fit under the center of the body. About 5' long and about the same width
as your frame. Lift the body off and roll the car out. Lay the frame down and
lower the body onto the box. Support the front weight under the radiator support and rear the same place as the center rear body bolt.
The way I did the lift, everything needs to be removed from the body.
(Interior, trunk, doors, windshield, hood, gas tank, everything!)
With little weight, I used four "come along" ratchets, Cable type.
I attached one to each trunk hinge and one each to each side of the radiator
support. Loosen the steering box/column and remove it AS you lift. I didn't have any problem at all and it was a one man job. I trust this way more then 8 guys grabbing fiberglass.
Good advice to mark and bag everything. Don't throw anything away until your done.
LarryComment
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Re:59 Body off
Don't throw away anything ever....but if you do call me.
CMComment
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Re:59 Body off
I took the body off my 61 last Summer and am ready to put it back on in this month. I gutted the car except the doors, trunk lid and windshield. We took out the radiator and gas tank... either way the gas tank must be drained. The Steering box must also be taken off. To do this you should remove your left hand exhaust manifold first.
We had 7 people to lift the body and it went very well. 2 on each side of the body, they did most of the lifting, one person to support (not lift) the hood area, and one person to support the trunk area..... the 7th person made sure everthing was clear.
Follow Larrys advise and keep track of all bolts, nuts and parts. For every part I took off the car I put the fasteners in there individual clear freezer bags and marked them with a drymarker. (My wife could not figure out were all of her freezer bags were going) It will take many cases of beer to tap and clean all of those fasteners...... BUT THATS THE FUN OF IT.
I set the body on two saw horses and supported the hood and trunk area.
Good LuckComment
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