66 frame advice

[Dan M.]

Re: 66 frame advice

Thanks Rich
I did a minor restoration about 15 years ago where I cleaned up everything underneath. I believe the assembly is orginal as the sleeves are all cracked. I've got lots of time to do this so I'll see if I can figure out how to get it exact.
Your frame looks terrific.
Dan

[Dan M.]

Re: 66 frame advice

Paul
I'm not sure where to find your email.
I can post mine here if is easier.
Dan

[Joe R.]

Re: 66 frame advice

Hi Dan,

At the top, of the page, select COMMUNITY, then MEMBER LIST, then SEARCH MEMBERS. Or if they have replied to a thread, you can find them through their profile.

Good luck,
Joe

[Dan M.]

Re: 66 frame advice

Rich,
Sorry I have another question if I may. The #4 body mount bolts are not yet off the car. I may have made a mistake by putting a strong wrench on them and as a result the nuts have broken with the bolt now spinning. So now I am trying to sort out the best course of action. I thought of removing the deck lid to get better access but this looks like it could be a challenging removal. Or I can attempt to cut the head off the bolt from underneath and then lift the entire body off first. The condition of the deck lid, hinge and hinge supports look excellent so I dont really want to mess with it if I don't have to. I've reviewed other posts on this topic and there is some good info but not sure what my path should be given I am removing the body anyway.
Dan

[Dan M.]

Re: 66 frame advice

Got it tks

[Richard M.]

Re: 66 frame advice

Got it tks

Me too, thanks Paul. BTW the frame is Vette Products of Michigan, not sure if you noticed in my earlier post.

Rich

[John L.]

Re: 66 frame advice

Dan
#4 mnt is spinning you could cut the bolt off but you will still have to remove rear compartment lid and hinge assys to repair the nut and cage that holds it ......4 bolts for lid and 3 each for the hinge assy. The nut sits in a low pocket and collects a lot of moisture/rust. I believe a 1" crows foot will fit in the pocket once the cage is removed

[Harry S.]

Re: 66 frame advice

During the removal process if you should happen to strip or break off some of the top bolts on the deck hinge and spring............

[Dan M.]

Re: 66 frame advice

Tks John,
I removed the deck lid and the passenger side hinge. The cage was totally rusted out and the nut was rusted to the bolt pretty good. I used a set of vice grips on the nut and an impact wrench on the bolt and with some patience I separated the two. Helps too have long arms!
I didn't remove the other hinge as yet as I did not want to mess with the spring but pried off the cage with a screwdriver and removed the bolt using the method. So both bolts are off and no damage.
I see the spring requires a special tool but I'm thinking there has to be a way to macgyver this safely and get it removed.
So all body bolts are now off and am now organizing my thoughts to lift the body utilizing a 4 post lift.
Tks for the advice.
Dan

[Richard M.]

Re: 66 frame advice

Dan, To remove the springs I clamp the assembly in a big vice and use small flat sticks or tongue depressers. If you have a hydraulic shop press it makes it really easy to install them. Pics and info here in this post.

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...868#post748868
and the post right after that.

Also, Since the body will be off, to properly replace the nut cages you'll have to remove the #4 body mounts. The nut plates are riveted before the #4 mount gets installed. However, there's another way.....Here is a direct link to a post on that 66 I just did showing a way if you're not removing the #4 mount.

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...040#post780040
and the 2 following posts.

Harry's document is a very nice procedure, hopefully the nut plates are okay on yours.

One more link to show how I raise the body under the sills using a 2 post lift.
https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...118#post778118

Rich

[Dan M.]

Re: 66 frame advice

Rich,
Excellent photos and very helpful. The nut plates on mine look very very good so I'm not sure yet whether I really need to remove them. I'd rather not! I'll further assess after the body is lifted. This area as you are well aware is prone to capturing rust. The passenger side nut cage was toast, the driver side was intact lthough it will be replaced. The base of the spring hinge has a fair amount of surface rust but I think it looks worse than it is. Based on your pics you can actually source just the lower spring retaining connection rather than the whole mechanism. Good to know.
Believe it or not there was only one spring on my deck lid! I wasn't sure if that was the way it came from the factory. Based on your pics clearly there should be two. Now I know why the deck lid didnt close as well as it should have.
Your technique to remove the springs makes perfect sense, I'll use it tks.
Dismantling these old corvettes is like an archeological dig. Wish I had the good sense 20 years ago to search down the original owners of this car. My mistake.
Tks for your help
Dan

[Dan M.]

Re: 66 frame advice

thanks Harry,
I think I will be okay with the nut plates. The passenger side had the most rust but aside from the cage the plate looks intact and very solid. Looks like I need a new spring though since there was only one but probably makes sense to purchase two new ones. That way the torsion in the 2 springs will be the same and hopefully no binding in the operation of the deck lid.
appreciate the help
Dan

[Richard M.]

Re: 66 frame advice

Rich,
Excellent photos and very helpful. The nut plates on mine look very very good so I'm not sure yet whether I really need to remove them. I'd rather not! I'll further assess after the body is lifted. This area as you are well aware is prone to capturing rust. The passenger side nut cage was toast, the driver side was intact lthough it will be replaced. The base of the spring hinge has a fair amount of surface rust but I think it looks worse than it is. Based on your pics you can actually source just the lower spring retaining connection rather than the whole mechanism. Good to know.
Believe it or not there was only one spring on my deck lid! I wasn't sure if that was the way it came from the factory. Based on your pics clearly there should be two. Now I know why the deck lid didnt close as well as it should have.
Your technique to remove the springs makes perfect sense, I'll use it tks.
Dismantling these old corvettes is like an archeological dig. Wish I had the good sense 20 years ago to search down the original owners of this car. My mistake.
Tks for your help
Dan

Dan, I made that piece from a same thickness sheet stock I had and used the good one as a template. A little hammering, filing, bending, and cutting and I just welded it on the backside.

Make sure the decklid gutter drains are clear. There is one on each side near the hinge. I use compressed air and tiny needle nose pliers to remove the obvious pieces. You'll see the lower holes in the inner skirts just above the #4 mounts.

New springs will be a major improvement. Glad the pics helped. There are still ways to locate original owners. Try Bill Gould at autoancestry.com.


Rich

[Dan M.]

Re: 66 frame advice

I removed the other hinge and spring this morning with no problems. It is in perfect condition, no rust whatsoever. I also used your technique to remove the spring as well, very simple.
I noticed the gutters when I was removing the hinge yesterday, didn't know they were there. Also noticed how they were suppose to drain. Passenger side was totally plugged with some kind of mastic for some reason so easy to see why water pooled in this area and rusted out the cage.
This car hasn't seen the rain or a hose for 20 years so I'm lucky its not worse.
Tks for the contact, I'll reach out to Bill Gould.
Time to build my body dolly
Thanks for your time Rich, very helpful.
Dan