1966 captured body mount nut & bolt removal for body lift?

[Jef S.]

I am starting disassembly of my 66 big block convertible preparing to lift the body. Lots of wd 40 , skinned knuckles and broken rusty bolts. The broken bolts is the good news. The 64 convertible I did last year had only 2 of these captured nuts and they were accessible in the rear of the interior. The 66 is riddled with these things. After 48 years of exposure to road gunk they usually spin in the capturing boxes. This must be a common issue with restorers. Is there a way to get these monsters apart without applying heat? They are so far up inside the undercarriage I don't see a way of getting a cutoff wheel up in there. Any Tips??

[Gene M.]

Re: 1966 captured body mount nut & bolt removal for body lift?

Jef,
A die grinder with a carbide burr will make quick work of grinding that bolt head off. Messy work but it works. Take care the rest of the bolt and cage nut once the body is off. I understand your not wanting to torch in this area.

[Bill M.]

Re: 1966 captured body mount nut & bolt removal for body lift?

jef
i just did a mechanical restoration to my 66 convertible. it took me 40 hours to remove the body mounting bolts. most of them spun in the cage. i used a dremmel with metal cutting disks to cut the bolt head into 6 or 8 pieces. the worst were the bolts behind the doors just take your time and dont get angry.
bill

[Paul J.]

Re: 1966 captured body mount nut & bolt removal for body lift?

Jef, things will go a little smoother if you use a penetrant. WD 40 is a great product, but it is not a penetrating oil. Try Kroil and wedge some bracing in the cage if you can reach it. You may still have to cut them out, but at least you'll have a better chance in the beginning. Paul

[Bill M.]

Re: 1966 captured body mount nut & bolt removal for body lift?

jef
your trailing arm bolts will probably give you just as much trouble.i had to cut off both nut and cap screw side and then beat the rods out with a drift pin and heat.the car was used to tow a small boat in the 70's. i found sea shells in the differential cross member.
bill

[Jef S.]

Re: 1966 captured body mount nut & bolt removal for body lift?

WHEW!! That wasn't much fun. Several differences from my 64 I overlooked besides the captured nuts. I missed the interior emergency wires riveted to the driveshaft tunnel that wasn't much fun with the car basically hanging from those little cables and a chain fall. Live and Learn!