lifting body off frame with 2x4 under bird cage

[Steve G.]

I plan to lift the body slightly off the frame in order to install new fuel and brake lines. I am thinking of lifting it using a floor jack and 2x4 placed underneath the part of the bird cage that sticks outside of frame under each door. I was going to pick up one side at a time, lift a few inches, then place jack stands under the 2x4, and repeat on other side. Has anyone used this method before? Is it ok to leave nose and rear end un-supported?

I have all the bolts and brackets off and was planning on lifting it tomorrow. Any advice / words of caution would be appreciated. Steve

[Rich G.]

Re: lifting body off frame with 2x4 under bird cage

I took the body off my 72 with the lifting straps which hook to the steel support that I assume you are talking about. I don't think you would have a problem jacking it like you said. To me there seemed to be a lot of stress put on the nose of the body just hanging there so I would definitely support the nose to be safe

[Greg L.]

Re: lifting body off frame with 2x4 under bird cage

Steve that's exactly how I started to lift the body on my 69 and it worked quite well. However I felt better once I had a support under the rad support to keep the nose from sagging. I never did support the back of the body.

[Tom L.]

Re: lifting body off frame with 2x4 under bird cage

Good luck with the work. I'm planning on doing the same type of work next winter and have been loking and thinking of ideas that will avoid a complete body lift while increasing access. Can you post some pics as you progress? It would be a great help. Have fun!

[Steve G.]

Re: lifting body off frame with 2x4 under bird cage

Thanks for the inputs! I will post pictures. Steve

[Steven G.]

Re: lifting body off frame with 2x4 under bird cage

I used double 2/4's to fit under/in L + R rockers, that worked well, some support on rad. core will help also, rear needed nothing. My 2 cents. Steve

[Steve G.]

Re: lifting body off frame with 2x4 under bird cage

Steve, what do you mean by double 2x4's? Did you lay one on top of the other? I am thinking of laying them on their sides to keep them more stable. Is that how you did it? Steve

[Timothy B.]

Re: lifting body off frame with 2x4 under bird cage

Steve,

I lifted the body on my 63 like this, just do one side at a time. You can put a flour jack under the fiberglass in a corner or a strong looking point and lift slowly just enough to work one side then sit it down and do the other side.

Be very careful everything is disconnected, bumper brackets etc....

Lift it enough to get clearance to work comfortably and sit it back on the shims. You may have to tape shims to get everything to stay put, it can be done easily if everything is unhooked.

[Steven G.]

Re: lifting body off frame with 2x4 under bird cage

Steve, what do you mean by double 2x4's? Did you lay one on top of the other? I am thinking of laying them on their sides to keep them more stable. Is that how you did it? Steve

Steve, Use 2x4's up right for strength, also, shim (wood strips) or cut to fit on top for weight distribution, nail together, use washers with drywall screws on (molding holes) @ door step to keep in position, 45 angled ends for lifting strap brackets access, have an even bottom surface for lifting. Steve

[Steve G.]

Re: lifting body off frame with 2x4 under bird cage

Here are some pictures. I picked it up using floor jack and some blocks of wood under the birdcage. There is not much room (less than one inch) between the birdcage and the frame, so I went very slowly. I used 2x4's cut up into 2 1/2" lengths and stacked them between the body mounts.

I noticed a couple things - first, the body mounts/spacers appeared to be ceramic or almost concrete like. I was expecting to see rubber bushings. The frame is in excellent shape - very little surface rust on top and outer sides, but almost nothing on bottom or inside. The rear-most mount looked in good shape, but it looks like the rivets may have come loos as it is almost free from the fiberglass. Any suggestions for repairing that?

Car is now supported by 2x4's in four corners. I was concerned about the body sagging in the middle, so I put jack stands under the birdcage in the middle. See pictures. Think that is enough to hold it?

I bought SEM semigloss paint that is made for chassis. It is called Rust-Shield, 38104. It can be brushed, rolled, or sprayed. I plan to brush / roll it. Has anyone used this and is it 'factory like'? Steve

[Tom L.]

Re: lifting body off frame with 2x4 under bird cage

Thanks for the pictures, very interesting. I was hoping you would be in the same position ans me, engine in and all. I'll be challanged a bit more when I get to it.

About your rear, #4 body support, when I had my bodywork done I was told that the rivits seperating are a sure sign of major rust. Not where you can see it but where the bolt goes through. I had mine replaced. Being where you are in the resto and "while you are there" you might as well do them. I think they are only about 40 bucks each.

You can see them on the floor next to my "corvette mess"

[Tom R.]

Re: lifting body off frame with 2x4 under bird cage

I noticed a couple things - first, the body mounts/spacers appeared to be ceramic or almost concrete like. I was expecting to see rubber bushings.

Steve, I believe those early years had solid mounts so what you found is accurate. Others will elaborate I'm sure.

[Terry M.]

Re: lifting body off frame with 2x4 under bird cage

Steve clicked 70-72, so he should have aluminum "pucks" for body mount spacers. I would hardly think they would age to "ceramic-like." In my experience they turn to powder.

If you thought your body mounts were rubber (started in 1973, I believe) you haven't driven your Corvette on a pot-hole filled street lately.

[Steve G.]

Re: lifting body off frame with 2x4 under bird cage

Terry, turning to powder is a much better description - that is what mine look like. Should I re-use them or buy some repro's?

Unfortunately, I did not keep track of spacers in all body locations. Is there a C3 body alignment procedure I can use to re-assemble. I am a bit concerned I have the body on blocks at #1 and #4 on left and right sides, and just a jack stand under doors. Is it possible I could be 'warping' the body? Steve

[Terry M.]

Re: lifting body off frame with 2x4 under bird cage

The purpose of those aluminum pucks is to space the body above the frame mounts. If there is any change in their thickness -- get new ones. They will only get worse from this time on.

Without the factory gauging equipment there is no way you can determine the number of shims that were there once the count is lost. Some guys have shimmed the body by adjusting the number of shims while watching door gaps. I'll let them describe it because I have no experience with it. If your frame is not too badly deteriorated you might find the grease pencil numbers by the body mounts indicating the number of shims used at that location.

The body will fold up if the birdcage is weakened sufficiently by rust. Unfortunately, the Internet does not have a rust sensor built in -- just as it doesn't have a shim gauge. You are there -- you can see and feel your car -- you have to do it.