Body off started
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 807
Likes: 0
From: VA
Body off started
And so it begins! 
Pulling the body was not as hard as I thought it would be. I was shocked when all but one body mount bolts came out without much fuss. And were talking a vette that was driven daily for the first 30 years of its life. Even three years in North Dakota, my dad drove with studded tires in the winter!
But it had to be done. Need to have the driver side frame repaired. Rusted out under the #3 body mount. So anyone know of a good welder in the Fredericksburg, VA area?
Pulling the body was not as hard as I thought it would be. I was shocked when all but one body mount bolts came out without much fuss. And were talking a vette that was driven daily for the first 30 years of its life. Even three years in North Dakota, my dad drove with studded tires in the winter!
But it had to be done. Need to have the driver side frame repaired. Rusted out under the #3 body mount. So anyone know of a good welder in the Fredericksburg, VA area?
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
From: Fairfax Virginia
You might try Tpm McGuckin at TM Restorations in Culpepper. He restores mid teays and is an expert welder. Try 540-829-6275. He does very nice work and is quite resonable in comparasion to other Vett Shops. He does absolutely beautifu paint work.
George Schaerer
TM Restored (in progress) '66 SB Vert
George Schaerer
TM Restored (in progress) '66 SB Vert
Intermediate
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Breckenridge Colorado
Nice work!I'm also in the process of trying to get the body off my '63.How did you go about it?Did you lift it with a few guys or a hoist?I may just have a body shop pull it off and get everything painted and then do the chassis work while they finish the body.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 807
Likes: 0
From: VA
Got a 2 ton hoist from Pep Boys and some tie downs(with J hook ends) from Costco. Did it by myslef. Only problem I ran into was the hoist did not lift high enough for the dolly I built. So had to cut the dolly down to size...actually down to Nolands specs. Then all went fine.
Almost chit my pants when I couldnt slide the dolly under her!
So ended up letting her rest on a few 4x6's and jack stands for the night. Then cut the dolly down and was fine after that. I wanted the dolly a little taller so I could work under the body. So my advice is to check the max lift height of the hoist prior to construction of the dolly! 
Looking back the Harbor Frieght hoist lists a higher lift hight....should have gone with that hoist. But live and learn. Would have liked to have used the 10 man lift method..guess I should join the local club! 
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 807
Likes: 0
From: VA
I used Nolands spec for the dolly. I have the video and workbook... but the plans can be found here if you need em.
http://www.lbfun.com/warehouse/tech_.../BodyDolly.pdf
The plans are the same for coupe or vert. Some do add to the dolly to help support the rear of the body.
http://www.lbfun.com/warehouse/tech_.../BodyDolly.pdf
The plans are the same for coupe or vert. Some do add to the dolly to help support the rear of the body.
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