'69 Body Mounts

[Bob B.]

Hi all,

I'm trying to get the body off of a '69, but the two bolts that are accessed from the little panel ahead of the rear wheels and the two accessed from the front outside areas of the passenger compartment are very tight and I don't want to break something and I can't use my air ratchet in those little access holes. I can't find a hint of a lower nut for them, so I'm wondering if they screw into a nut plate or something in the top of the frame. If not, then how do I find the nuts? Suggestions and pics welcomed!

Thanks,

Bob

[David H.]

Re: '69 Body Mounts

The nuts for #2 and #3 body mounts are "caged" on the top side of the frame. On my C3 the nut/bolt in front of the rear wheel (#3) was so rusted that the nut spun in the cage. I ended up cutting off the bolt head necessitating a body lift to repair the frame cage/nut.


2 and 3 body-mounts.jpg

[Alan S.]

Re: '69 Body Mounts

Hi Bob,
As David said those nuts are pretty easy to spin in their cages.
I would flood the bolts for DAYS with your favorite rust buster before trying anything.
Since the body is coming off it's not the end of the world if you twist the bolt head off or need to cut it off.
But it's worth a try to save them.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan

[Edward J.]

Re: '69 Body Mounts

Don't use any air operated tools or it will surely spin. do as Alan says, I like CRC freeze off. its something that's been talked about lately. don't be afraid to flood the area in the cubby hole and let sit overnight .And you may even catch a glimpse of the caged nut from underneath try and spray that if you can. They are well hidden cage nuts so approximate the area and spray if you cannot see.

[Joe L.]

Re: '69 Body Mounts

The nuts for #2 and #3 body mounts are "caged" on the top side of the frame. On my C3 the nut/bolt in front of the rear wheel (#3) was so rusted that the nut spun in the cage. I ended up cutting off the bolt head necessitating a body lift to repair the frame cage/nut.


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David------


A good part of the problem relates to the fact that 1969 Corvettes use an aluminum "puck-type" body mount. So, you've got aluminum in contact with steel. Add water from wet weather driving (and maybe some salt in the east) and you get BIG TIME galvanic corrosion.

[Robert N.]

Re: '69 Body Mounts

Just about everyone who has pulled a c3 body has a body mount bolt war story. I had to drill out the #4 cage mount and drill holes in the bolt until it cracked in half. The problem is access from the inside. I had to use a hand mirror to see what I was doing and contort like a pretzel to get any leverage on the drill. Took me three days ...

Look at the bright side, you will have your very own war story once you are done ;-)

[Bob B.]

Re: '69 Body Mounts

Hi all,

Thankfully, this turned out to be a short war. I used my air ratchet with the swivel attachments to rattle on the bolts in the access holes on the outsides of the front of the interior and fore of the rear wheels. Then a regular ratchet got these four out.

As for the bolts under the deck lid springs, the cages just came right off and I was not about to remove the deck lid, springs, and that whole assembly for a couple of bolts, so out came the sawsall and off with their heads!

Thanks for everyone's suggestions!

Bob

[Robert N.]

Re: '69 Body Mounts

Now the fun begins! And once you finish the '69 you can tackle the C1 in the background ... I guess that means that C3s are more important than C1s? Its about time C3s get more respect! ;-p

Robert

[Bob B.]

Re: '69 Body Mounts

Now the fun begins! And once you finish the '69 you can tackle the C1 in the background ... I guess that means that C3s are more important than C1s? Its about time C3s get more respect! ;-p

Robert

Robert,

You hit the nail on the head about the importance of C3s!

Uh, what's a C3?

Bob

[Edward J.]

Re: '69 Body Mounts

Robert,

You hit the nail on the head about the importance of C3s!

Uh, what's a C3?

Bob

Bob, C3 ,means it 3 times the fun to resto.

[Bob B.]

Re: '69 Body Mounts

Bob, C3 ,means it 3 times the fun to resto.

Robert,

It's definitely going to be a lot of fun! And it will all be downhill once I get the brake drums off.

Now I just need to figure out where the brake drums are!

Bob

[Edward J.]

Re: '69 Body Mounts

[QUOTE=Bob Baird (39424);707234]Robert,It's definitely going to be a lot of fun! And it will all be downhill once I get the brake drums off.Now I just need to figure out where the brake drums are! Bob its those round thingy's. And If Mark Donnelly see this post he can certainly give his prospective, He's a true C3 drum expert. Mark where are you.