Nichols1

Hello all, I have just purchased a 68 convertible. I have done a frame off on a 69 coupe but haven't ever owned or worked on a convertible. When I put the car on jack stands (just in front of the rear wheels and just behind the front wheels) the back end sagged opening the gap at top of the doors (approx 1"). It sagged enough that the doors wouldn't close. Is this normal sag or do I have a frame issue?

azza2u

I'd be very concerned about the frame where it kicks up at the back as 1" is a lot. Putting jack stands under the back of my 68 vert I got about 1/4" of extra gap from the flex at most last time I had it up.

Azza

chstitans42

When I put my 73 vert on jack stands, there is some body flex, enough that the doors wont close. As for an inch, or 1/4th inch, I didn't really notice. It will be much different than putting a coupe up on jack stands that is for sure.

Nichols1

Azza, Definitely not what I wanted to hear but exactly what I was afraid of. Thanks for the reply.

Easy Mike

Due to the absence of the halo panel and t-bar, convertibles will flex more than coupes. If you have the front and rear up evenly, the gaps at the doors will probably close up.

Leo23

I would get ready to pull the body, as it sounds like you have some frame work ahead of you.

gcusmano74

Yeah. Those old cars are Flexible Flyers, really. One of the biggest improvements on the newer cars in general, and Corvettes in particular, is the stiffness and strength of the frames. That helps improve the crashworthiness, ride and handling of the newer cars by lightyears.
That being said, look carefully at your frame for rust issues. C3's are notorious for rusting in the frame rails under the rear edge of the doors, and near the mounting for the trailing arm bushings . Also look at the frame to body mounting bushings. Poke around with a hand held chisel, an old screwdriver or a small hammer. Be prepared to cry.

Kevin68

I think you have a problem. My 68 convertible goes up on stands and all the gaps hold and the doors, hood and rear deck all open and close normally, and the top goes up and latches normally. In fact, I have to shim up the jacks just so it has weight on all four jacks because the garage floor isn't perfectly flat (or my frame is twisted). It takes a while to set it up where I feel like the weight is evenly distributed.

loup68

A one inch gap has to be way too much flex, even for a convertible.