C2 Jacking Instructions
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 29
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From: Edmonds, WA
C2 Jacking Instructions
Guys,
Wanted to lift my 63 Vert off the floor for the first time to check on things, although upon placing floor jacks at the four frame points stated in the manual I found that my once perfectly fitting doors had become misaligned to the point they would not even open!
Once back on the ground all was well, but what am I doing wrong and where should my jacks be placed to avoid all of this misalignment? Thank you!
Wanted to lift my 63 Vert off the floor for the first time to check on things, although upon placing floor jacks at the four frame points stated in the manual I found that my once perfectly fitting doors had become misaligned to the point they would not even open!
Once back on the ground all was well, but what am I doing wrong and where should my jacks be placed to avoid all of this misalignment? Thank you!
Last edited by challengermaniac; Jun 26, 2019 at 11:44 AM.
Le Mans Master
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St. Jude Donor '20 thru '25
My ‘67 convertible flexes, too. My doors are tight but I can open them. I think it’s normal.
BTW, I prefer not to jack from the side. I use a low profile, long reach, high lift, 3 ton floor jack from Harbor Freight. It will slide under the the spare tire carrier from the back of the car to the center leaf spring mount. It lifts 24” which is enough to get both rear tires off the ground. I love this floor jack.
Steve
BTW, I prefer not to jack from the side. I use a low profile, long reach, high lift, 3 ton floor jack from Harbor Freight. It will slide under the the spare tire carrier from the back of the car to the center leaf spring mount. It lifts 24” which is enough to get both rear tires off the ground. I love this floor jack.
Steve
Le Mans Master
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From: Really Central IL Illinois
I don't want to cause panic, but I would be looking closely at the frame for something flexing to allow the body to bend and put the doors in a bind.
I have a 68 Camaro with a subframe and it will flex on the lift (mid lift) enough to make opening the doors difficult as the lift only supports the body via the rocker panels. I don't have that problem with R66 Corvette on the same lift as the lift is under the frame.
Good luck,
Ron
I have a 68 Camaro with a subframe and it will flex on the lift (mid lift) enough to make opening the doors difficult as the lift only supports the body via the rocker panels. I don't have that problem with R66 Corvette on the same lift as the lift is under the frame.
Good luck,
Ron
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Army
Guys,
Wanted to lift my 63 Vert of the floor for the first time to check on things, although upon placing floor jacks at the four frame points stated in the manual I found that my once perfectly fitting doors had become misaligned to the point they would not even open!
Once back on the ground all was well, but what am I doing wrong and where should my jacks be placed to avoid all of this misalignment? Thank you!
Wanted to lift my 63 Vert of the floor for the first time to check on things, although upon placing floor jacks at the four frame points stated in the manual I found that my once perfectly fitting doors had become misaligned to the point they would not even open!
Once back on the ground all was well, but what am I doing wrong and where should my jacks be placed to avoid all of this misalignment? Thank you!
Doors here open/close normally - but, its a coupe...
Last edited by Frankie the Fink; Jun 26, 2019 at 07:53 AM.
Race Director
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From: northern california
C2 of Year Finalist (track prepared) 2019
Guys,
Wanted to lift my 63 Vert of the floor for the first time to check on things, although upon placing floor jacks at the four frame points stated in the manual I found that my once perfectly fitting doors had become misaligned to the point they would not even open!
Once back on the ground all was well, but what am I doing wrong and where should my jacks be placed to avoid all of this misalignment? Thank you!
Wanted to lift my 63 Vert of the floor for the first time to check on things, although upon placing floor jacks at the four frame points stated in the manual I found that my once perfectly fitting doors had become misaligned to the point they would not even open!
Once back on the ground all was well, but what am I doing wrong and where should my jacks be placed to avoid all of this misalignment? Thank you!
I suggest that you open the doors before lifting the car at the jacking points. Doing this eliminates any unusual stress due to frame flex.
Jim
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 1,752
Likes: 137
From: Chantilly Virginia
Suggest Checking Frame
My '66 vert is up on jacks right now and while there may be a little change in the door gaps, there is no binding. Don't want to be an alarmist, but I'd go over the frame closely.
Ralph
Ralph
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2017
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From: Michigan
2023 Restomod of the Year finalist
What about using those portable ramps I've seen on some post??? I think they are black rubber or something....never saw one in person....but was thinking about purchasing 2 or 4 for future use.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: The Golden Triangle, Florida
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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I think you’re talking about Race Ramps. I like them and use them all the time.
I have the 2-piece ramps that you can drive up on them and then remove the long ramp part so you have access under your car from the side. Then I jack up the rear of the car and place the Race Ramp “cradles” under the rear wheels. That gives me an additional 12” of working space under the car.
Steve
I have the 2-piece ramps that you can drive up on them and then remove the long ramp part so you have access under your car from the side. Then I jack up the rear of the car and place the Race Ramp “cradles” under the rear wheels. That gives me an additional 12” of working space under the car.
Steve
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Army
I think you’re talking about Race Ramps. I like them and use them all the time.
I have the 2-piece ramps that you can drive up on them and then remove the long ramp part so you have access under your car from the side. Then I jack up the rear of the car and place the Race Ramp “cradles” under the rear wheels. That gives me an additional 12” of working space under the car.
Steve
I have the 2-piece ramps that you can drive up on them and then remove the long ramp part so you have access under your car from the side. Then I jack up the rear of the car and place the Race Ramp “cradles” under the rear wheels. That gives me an additional 12” of working space under the car.
Steve
However for work requiring tires/wheels off the car they don't help much...
In such cases they aren't an answer for frame flex - which as I and others have said is not abnormal...
Last edited by Frankie the Fink; Jun 28, 2019 at 06:33 AM.
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My 66 used to do that flex thing when lifted. Normal for the ragtops for sure. Where were you're lifting points? You might add a third with a little pressure under the middle of the frame as well as each end if it bothers you.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,016
Likes: 250
I agree it's nothing to worry about, and not all these cars are created equal. I regularly put my 67 convertible on 4 jack stands and can open both doors easily--there's very slight "flexing" on mine, as the doors won't close like when the car was sitting on its tires, but even then up on the jack stands I can close them by just lifting each door ever so slightly. Ultimately if the doors are very hard to open, your frame's not as rigid as it once was or your door alignment/hinges may be off. Heck, my 67 convertible is way more structurally rigidly than my 94 Coupe was with the roof panel out.
And when on the ground, my doors close easily with a nice click, no slamming required. Now watch, I've just jinxed myself.
And when on the ground, my doors close easily with a nice click, no slamming required. Now watch, I've just jinxed myself.
Last edited by boxster99t; Jun 29, 2019 at 12:19 PM.