'57 body to frame cushions

[Don Y.]

I removed the body of my '57 so I could work on the chassis while the body shop did the fiberglass repairs and paint work. When they remounted the body I supplied them with a diagram of where all of the rubber frame chshions were and how many were in each spot. When I got the reunited body and chassis back I found the new cushions in a box of spare parts and subsequent inspection revelaed they neglected to install any of the chshions in any position. Can they be installed with the body in place? Some of the originals seemed to be cemented in place, was this typical? What is the best method to determine cushion placement and how many go in those positions. Thanks for any help you can provide.
Don Yesacavage

[Gary C.]

Re: '57 body to frame cushions

Don, loosen up or remove all the body mount bolts, pry up the body with a pry bar and install the cushions. Would use weather strip adhesive to secure the cushions to the frame. Would replace the cushions in the same location they were originally on the frame. In some areas such as under the passenger and driver's outside frame rails; the cushion(s) should fill the space between the body and the frame rails. Use multiple cushions at these locations and do not leave a gap. Would check and make sure the shims were reinstalled. Hope this helps. Good luck, Gary....

[Dave Suesz]

That last

is quite important, make sure all the pads are present, some may have fallen off if they were this careless.

[Rod K.]

Re: '57 body to frame cushions

I'd be very careful about prying directly on the 'glass to raise the body. Might be better to lift it with a floor jack at the rockers with a wood block between to distribute the load.

[Roy B.]

Re: '57 body to frame cushions

"Normally" the 8 cushions are all the same in the cockpit area ,the other flat rubber pads are to keep the floor pan from any movement ( down)//(some incorrect cockpit shims cause the floor pan to bulge-up) the front shims and rear fender shims determine the door rear area gap . The curved area at the body's lower section (door -front and rear) takes the stress .{ and that is the reason people ask why the lower rear door sticks out from the body line)///(and why on 58 to 62 middle fender area have a bow or crack // -front shims incorrect ) Fitting the body is all determined by the doors rear (gap)
When you understand this you realize why there are different number shims here and there and helps when installing a basket case Corvette.

[Don Y.]

Re: '57 body to frame cushions

Thanks for the responses. It appears they have the body shimmed correctly as the fenders exhibit no distortion and the body gaps are spot on. They just neglected to install a single body to frame cushion. I will try to get them installed so they take up the space between the body and frame at the points mentioned and referencing my disassembly diagrams. The adhesive that was used looked like the black 3M weather strip cement.
Thanks again for the guidance!
Don Yesacavage

[Verle R.]

Re: '57 body to frame cushions

Don,

Did they use any shims at all on the body mount?

Verle

[Don Y.]

Re: '57 body to frame cushions

Verle,
Yes. It looks like they shimmed and taped the body mounts and cushions correctly. I can't imagine why or how the other components were left out. It is puzzling.
Don Yesacavage