66 Back from paint / Now What ?

[Jim S.]

I will be getting my Body back from the Painter's in about a week ! Just in time for the 100 + degree weather !! Yeah !!

Does anyone have a "List of Items" that should be put back on the body , and the chassis, before body drop , as well as a list of items best left untill after body drop ?

While conventional wisdom might suggest to do it all ahead of time , I am sure others have already discovered what is practical and what is not .
Also how much weight is too much for lifting the body safely . One example that comes to mind is the side windows and motors ect. etc. It would seem that they would be just as easily
put in after body drop as before, and would make the body that much lighter . Things such as radiator ,alternator , shifter , all would be easier to install before hand , but make the body drop turn into a very precise adventure , I woud think .

So I'm hoping to cash in on all the experiences of all who came before me , and hoping someone has a decent list as well !


Thanks,

Jim

[Jimmy B.]

Re: 66 Back from paint / Now What ?

I am right behind you with my 65. One thing for sure since my car has ac is to get that firewall ac box/plenum that holds the evaporator installed, it's a real bear if the body in on the chassis and the engine is in the car. Also if a sb get that back RH flag stud mount secured.

[Russ S.]

Re: 66 Back from paint / Now What ?

This is a small item but install the RH fender emblem before putting the heater box in otherwise it is almost imposable to get at the rearward emblem nut. Rear stingray emblem isn't real easy to get at the nuts after body drop either. The power antenna is easier to put in also before BD. Tailights and wiring.

[Jim S.]

Re: 66 Back from paint / Now What ?

Jim And Russ,

Good points all ! These are the kind of tips I was hoping for .

Keep em coming !

Jim

[John H.]

Re: 66 Back from paint / Now What ?

Jim -

The accelerator pedal pivot and throttle arm assembly - you DO NOT want to wrestle with that arm-to-pivot shaft attachment with the engine in the way.

[Russ S.]

Re: 66 Back from paint / Now What ?

Another item that is hard to put in after body drop (if the engine is in the chassis) is the grommet in the fire wall that the tach cable goes thru, so install the grommet and tach cable.

[Doug F.]

Re: 66 Back from paint / Now What ?

park brake handle, firewall insulation, wiper motor, heater, windshield and trim, all the lights and wiring, antenna and as john said the accelerator linkage are all things i like to install before body relocation, oil line is a pain no matter how you do it, good luck

[Jim S.]

Re: 66 Back from paint / Now What ?

John, Russ,Cary,

All helpful Hints !

Thanks ,

Jim

[Doug L.]

Re: 66 Back from paint / Now What ?

I'd leave the windshield until last, but how about the wiper /washer combo; anything that can be mounted on the firewall; the transmission tunnel insulation; the headlight buckets, electrical connections and alignment; Nose emblem; backup light; fuel spout overflow rubber and hose mounted on the tank; cushions and spacers taped to the frame mounts; crayon marks and part number on the frame rails; rubber weatherstrip at wishbones and lower radiator; voltage regulator and horn relay; heater for sure; radio antenna with the ground strap dangling; all wiring harness' in place and clipped to fiberglass, especially the rear harness; tail and parking lights installed and connected with grounds connected. Basically anything you can do while sitting on a milk crate in the engine compartment, and anything at all that has to be accessed from under the rear deck.

[Jim S.]

Re: 66 Back from paint / Now What ?

Thanks to all !

It sounds like the general consensus is: Put almost everything you can put on ahead of time .

So I guess I will.

I now only need imput from anybody who knows if there is something that should not be installed before body drop.
However it would not be the first time I installed something and had to remove it again !


Jim

[Gene M.]

Re: 66 Back from paint / Now What ?

Did anyone mention the outer seat belt cables attached to body?

Make sure you have all your sheet metal braces riveted in place. Some are easy with the body on but most are not.