C2 Body Removal Help

[Wayne P.]

Well I am having to replace my frame .
1964 convertable 327
Not a job that I wanted to do so soon.
I down loaded instructions ( mid year body removal )
I was hoping that c2 owners that have gone down this road would share
their wisdom so that It might make my experience better.
My car is a driver none number matching car.
I do have a 4 post lift . It took twelve hours to take out six of ten body mount bolts.(Rusted required drilling out head of bolts )
I also took off rear bumpers. I am hoping that part of my frame would be good to have a shop rebuild or use donor parts off . Also the bird cage behind driver door was rusted .
Would their be any pictures of lifting ideas. How heavy would the convertible body be? I have had a couple referals of companys to replace frame.
Sorry if I have been long winded ?

[Bill M.]

Re: C2 Body Removal Help

Wayne

I just took the body off of my 66 convertble. I had to cut 6 of the 8 bolts as well. I made 2 misteaks 1 i forgot to remove the wireing from the fuel sending unit and 2 i removed the nuts from the body to the frame seat belt cable but did not pop the anchors off the studs so when i lifted body the frame lifted with it. This is not a problem on the 64.
I used a body lift strap from LICS a chain fall from the rafters of my 10 foot ceiling and my wife. It did not take very long to do the removal i would have another set of eyes if i ever do it again. I used Kevin Mckays lift instructions i feel that we did pretty good.

Bill

[Ridge K.]

Re: C2 Body Removal Help

Wayne and Bill.......did you try using a good penetrating oil like Kroil Aerokroil?
So far, I'm batting 1000 with it. I spray on, leave 24 hours and respray. One must have the time to use it.
Keep us posted, Ridge

[Randy W.]

Re: C2 Body Removal Help

Call me at 952 240 3727 tonight and I can talk you thru a great way to use the 4 poster to remove the body.
Randy

[Harmon C.]

Re: C2 Body Removal Help

Check out the C-3 body lift ideas posted last week. One used a four post lift which you have. Could give you some ideas for a C-2.

[Wayne P.]

Re: C2 Body Removal Help

Bill would you direct me to were I would be able to get Kevin Mckays lift instructions. Thanks

[John H.]

Re: C2 Body Removal Help

Bill would you direct me to were I would be able to get Kevin Mckays lift instructions. Thanks

Wayne -

Try this:

http://corvetterepair.com/tech_tips.htm

[Wayne P.]

Re: C2 Body Removal Help

Thanks John. I printed info and making a binder to reference part removal.
I took bumpers off last night /rear exhaust panel and the front mount bolts. Two more bolts to go when I get the seats out tonight. I have to look at how to get the gas filler neck disconnected. I guess it will be the hood and rad after that and on and on. Speaking of taking rad fluid out.
Is it OK to leave the block without antifreeze up to a year regarding rust setting in ? Thanks

[John H.]

Re: C2 Body Removal Help

Speaking of taking rad fluid out.
Is it OK to leave the block without antifreeze up to a year regarding rust setting in ? Thanks

Wayne -

That won't be a problem. Make sure you remove the two lower drain plugs so all the fluid (or water) is out, especially if the block is stored where the ambient temp can go below freezing.

[Marco H.]

Re: C2 Body Removal Help

Wayne,
You can leave the radiator and shroud in place. Just remove the Hoses, Fan/Clutch assy and WP pulley. The Fuel Filler Neck and Boot can also stay in place. Also make sure you disconnect all your electrical connections from the Firewall and Fenderwells to the Engine.
(Alternator, Temp. Sender, Coil, Starter, B-U Light etc.)
Steering Column removal and disconnecting of Park Prake Cable and Throttle Arm, as well as Shift knob should not be forgotten.
As you raise the body, look closely to the rear bodymounts. As they come closer to the bottom of the quarter panels, you might have to shift the chassis forward a few inches.
Hope this helps.
Marco

[Irby G.]

Re: C2 Body Removal Help

I own a coupe so I didn't need to worry about it (and you probably already know this but) on a convertible you need a brace in the door jams so that it won't warp the frame back on itself when you lift it.

[Wayne P.]

Re: C2 Body Removal Help

Irby. Is it necessary to take doors off or can I leave them on and not brace ? Thanks

[Joe R.]

Re: C2 Body Removal Help

Wayne,

Do you have the Noland Adams DVD set? I haven't personally lifted a body off the frame, but the DVD on it sure looked pretty helpful to me. It shows the bracing on convertible doors, too. I haven't watched it in a while, but I believe you remove the doors, then put in the braces. I think that's to keep the body from flexing. It also has a body lift checklist.

Joe

[Kenneth S.]

Re: C2 Body Removal Help

[Wayne P.]

Re: C2 Body Removal Help

Thanks for all the ideas. That is a great brace . I have some aircraft cable that would work the same. By taking off the doors it will also remove weight. I have electric windows . I will have to look into detaching the wires. I looked at the c2 and c3 dollys great ideas.