67 Body Clearances closing

[Manuel M.]

My 40+ year convertible is showing signs of closing clearances between rear panels and convertible top lid. This is causing the lid to bow a little in the middle plus cracks are showing up in the top portion of the panels near the door jamb. Someone has told me about how he has used a 12 ton jack to stretch the chasis but is there a "correct process" to fix this? Seems like the rear panels are closing on the top over time perhaps because some mount or the like?

[Edward J.]

Re: 67 Body Clearances closing

Manuel, you may want to check for the body mounts , sometimes rust is a problem.or the top of the frame rails.

[John H.]

Re: 67 Body Clearances closing

Manuel -

Check the frame for rust at the kickup just forward of the rear tire, where the #3 body mount is located; that area is susceptible to major rusting, which can cause the frame to sag, which closes up the door-to-quarter panel gap at the top.

[Wayne P.]

Re: 67 Body Clearances closing

I asked my wife for a new frame . Merry Christmas.

[Rich P.]

Re: 67 Body Clearances closing

I asked my wife for a new frame . Merry Christmas.

Wayne,

I hope you specified a Corvette frame otherwise you'll wind up with a new frame for your wedding picture.

Rich

[Mike M.]

New Frame

There's a company in Niagara Falls Canada doing 63-82 corvette frames. They have been doing them now for a few years.
www.colliertechnologies.com
I live in Niagara Falls and have been thru there plant. There frames look good. You may save some money because of the dollar difference. They will also do custom design on the frame if thats your need.

[Wayne P.]

Re: New Frame

Mike yes I checked out their frames. They make a box type frame .
Good frame but doesn't look original. Looking at vett products as well.
I live in Mississauga close. Take care.

[Mike M.]

Re: 67 Body Clearances closing

Wayne, I restored a 63 for a guy with a vette products that he bought a couple years ago. Nice frame for sure. If you want email me and I tell you about it. I also never looked that close at there frames and never noticed there a box type. Mike

[Manuel M.]

Re: 67 Body Clearances closing

Manuel, you may want to check for the body mounts , sometimes rust is a problem.or the top of the frame rails.

Checked the mount and although a little rusty still good. I will put new mounts as the current ones seem "tired",. Would new mounts and perhaps some shims normally open up the top lid-to quarter panel gap? I would guess yes but experience could tell...

[Edward J.]

Re: 67 Body Clearances closing

Manny, the problem is the place you need to shim is under the driver or pass doors or both, access to that area is next to impossiable. and if your looking at frame problems, which is tough to look at without the car on a lift,shims this would not help, theres also the possiablty that the bird cage could have rust damage.Im not raining down on you but these areas should be inspected before you start.