Body Lift Help
#41
Race Director
Thread Starter
Closer
Can someone say BUBBA!
I bet not too many of your cars have cardboard in them for support?
Bad news is that one side of the valance as a previously broken lip(on the inside area).
Am I stuck or just off balance? I'm pretty sure nothing is attached yet the front just doesn't want to break free near the bumper mount area. I'm pretty sure I just need to mess around with the straps a bit more and get them to all pull evenly as I think the rears are just tighter than the fronts. Probably too far forward...
I bet not too many of your cars have cardboard in them for support?
Bad news is that one side of the valance as a previously broken lip(on the inside area).
Am I stuck or just off balance? I'm pretty sure nothing is attached yet the front just doesn't want to break free near the bumper mount area. I'm pretty sure I just need to mess around with the straps a bit more and get them to all pull evenly as I think the rears are just tighter than the fronts. Probably too far forward...
#43
Race Director
Post # 22 in this thread are the 2 bolts and brackets that I'm referring to.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...lp-please.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...lp-please.html
#44
Race Director
Thread Starter
Post # 22 in this thread are the 2 bolts and brackets that I'm referring to.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...lp-please.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...lp-please.html
I'll go out and check and see but I'm sure that has to be it.
#45
Race Director
Thread Starter
I just went out and looked and didn't see those brackets. Are you sure those are in my year(69) a car?
I'm leaving the core in there and the only places I saw the front bolted to the frame wew.
2 front body mounts in the engine bay.
4 bolts on each side where the bumper supports were.
I'm leaving the core in there and the only places I saw the front bolted to the frame wew.
2 front body mounts in the engine bay.
4 bolts on each side where the bumper supports were.
#47
Race Director
Thread Starter
Because the frame stops at each side where the tire starts...
And that's where the 4 bolts for the bumper support were...
#49
Race Director
I must be wrong , here is a link that shows those brackets started in 73.
http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb....5Z5Z50000050G#
Yours must just come though the lower cross frame.
Sorry !
http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb....5Z5Z50000050G#
Yours must just come though the lower cross frame.
Sorry !
#50
Race Director
Thread Starter
I must be wrong , here is a link that shows those brackets started in 73.
http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb....5Z5Z50000050G#
Yours must just come though the lower cross frame.
Sorry !
http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb....5Z5Z50000050G#
Yours must just come though the lower cross frame.
Sorry !
Now i'm back to balance issue. I wonder If I should move the hoist more forward...
Or if moving it back will put more pressure on the front straps...
Hard to say for sure I guess until I try it tomorrow.
#51
Race Director
Check this thread,maybe yours bolts in like this.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...port-help.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...port-help.html
#52
Race Director
Well at least I'm not crazy. But I wish you had been right as that would have at least explained why the front wasn't raising up very easy.
Now i'm back to balance issue. I wonder If I should move the hoist more forward...
Or if moving it back will put more pressure on the front straps...
Hard to say for sure I guess until I try it tomorrow.
Now i'm back to balance issue. I wonder If I should move the hoist more forward...
Or if moving it back will put more pressure on the front straps...
Hard to say for sure I guess until I try it tomorrow.
#54
Drifting
Member Since: Aug 2010
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2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Well at least I'm not crazy. But I wish you had been right as that would have at least explained why the front wasn't raising up very easy.
Now i'm back to balance issue. I wonder If I should move the hoist more forward...
Or if moving it back will put more pressure on the front straps...
Hard to say for sure I guess until I try it tomorrow.
Now i'm back to balance issue. I wonder If I should move the hoist more forward...
Or if moving it back will put more pressure on the front straps...
Hard to say for sure I guess until I try it tomorrow.
For the front clip here what I would do:
Once you know the body is fully detached, prepare you dolly and bring some help.
Start to lift the body, with one or two people holding the front clip.
This piece may flex a lot, you need people to feel the flex, and prevent it, keeping the balance at the same time.
Then do the frame to dolly swap, as quick as possible. And make sure the front clip is well supported once on the dolly.
If you don't have any frozen nut like I had, you should be able to remove the headlight assembly before lifting the body. Do so, it will remove a lot of forces on the front clip, and maybe help you bring the balance.
Something I didn't not but should have is remove the headlight assembly before lifting. Those are heavy for the front clip.
Note: here's how I did (tiny space)
#55
Race Director
Thread Starter
Yes, I think you're off balance, you have to have the main straps anchored where the doors start and stop.
For the front clip here what I would do:
Once you know the body is fully detached, prepare you dolly and bring some help.
Start to lift the body, with one or two people holding the front clip.
This piece may flex a lot, you need people to feel the flex, and prevent it, keeping the balance at the same time.
Then do the frame to dolly swap, as quick as possible. And make sure the front clip is well supported once on the dolly.
If you don't have any frozen nut like I had, you should be able to remove the headlight assembly before lifting the body. Do so, it will remove a lot of forces on the front clip, and maybe help you bring the balance.
Something I didn't not but should have is remove the headlight assembly before lifting. Those are heavy for the front clip.
Note: here's how I did (tiny space)
For the front clip here what I would do:
Once you know the body is fully detached, prepare you dolly and bring some help.
Start to lift the body, with one or two people holding the front clip.
This piece may flex a lot, you need people to feel the flex, and prevent it, keeping the balance at the same time.
Then do the frame to dolly swap, as quick as possible. And make sure the front clip is well supported once on the dolly.
If you don't have any frozen nut like I had, you should be able to remove the headlight assembly before lifting the body. Do so, it will remove a lot of forces on the front clip, and maybe help you bring the balance.
Something I didn't not but should have is remove the headlight assembly before lifting. Those are heavy for the front clip.
Note: here's how I did (tiny space)
I'll lighten the front by taking the headlights out...
I have nobody to help but i'll do my best to make sure the front end gets some support...somehow.
#56
Melting Slicks
I went through all your posts and I didn't see you mention disconnecting the speedometer and tachometer cables or the oil pressure gauge line.
You said you removed the steering wheel. I take it you meant the column. If not, then you need to disconnect the steering coupler.
If you can post some pictures, maybe somebody will spot something.
You said you removed the steering wheel. I take it you meant the column. If not, then you need to disconnect the steering coupler.
If you can post some pictures, maybe somebody will spot something.
#57
Race Director
Thread Starter
I went through all your posts and I didn't see you mention disconnecting the speedometer and tachometer cables or the oil pressure gauge line.
You said you removed the steering wheel. I take it you meant the column. If not, then you need to disconnect the steering coupler.
If you can post some pictures, maybe somebody will spot something.
You said you removed the steering wheel. I take it you meant the column. If not, then you need to disconnect the steering coupler.
If you can post some pictures, maybe somebody will spot something.
i'm going to give it another go this morning and see.
I'm pretty sure everything is free.
If anything I have a feeling rust at the bumper mount area is causing some friction along with the load being off balance.
If i can't get it again i'll see about some pictures of what i've done.
#58
Instructor
Member Since: May 2007
Location: Houston TX
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I don't believe you're unbalanced, I believe your front support tied back to the lift is causing the rear to pull up higher...collapsing the triangle between top lift point to lower body to front and back to lift point. Move the front support to the top of the windshield frame. You only need to stablize the front, hold firm to body frame/cage. See my pics earlier in this thread. I had the same problem and that change eliminated what seemed like the unbalance you're experiencing. Good Luck.
#59
Instructor
Member Since: May 2007
Location: Houston TX
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Furthermore, I kept the radiator support frame in, bolted to the front body, and tied two straps from the frame to the upper corners off the cage/window frame at the point where your ttops are pinned/conn. Again, this just holds the front up and prevents it from sagging and stressing the fiberglass while lifting in the center. Hope this helps.
#60
Melting Slicks
There are two large bolts that attach the radiator support.
There are holes to go through from underneath to get at the two bolts.
Radiator support cannot come out without removing the bolts.
The holes are in the bolt in cross member that goes to both side of the frame. They are a pretty good size bolt. Maybe 5/8".
If you have an AIM it will show them.
Bill
There are holes to go through from underneath to get at the two bolts.
Radiator support cannot come out without removing the bolts.
The holes are in the bolt in cross member that goes to both side of the frame. They are a pretty good size bolt. Maybe 5/8".
If you have an AIM it will show them.
Bill
Last edited by 1974ta; 02-12-2011 at 12:15 PM. Reason: More info