Body removal
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,570
Likes: 1
From: Algonac Michigan
Body removal
I want to pull the body off of my '69 vert. I have all mount bolts removed, however most I had to take a die grinder to the heads, but the body still seems to be attached to the frame at the door sills. All the washers came off with the bolt heads. I even looked for lag bolts and bailing wire in case Bubba was in there first, but I can't see any reason why the body wont come off. Has anyone else ever had a similar problem, or an answer for a poor Polish boy? 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
All 8 - right ?
The aluminum mount spacers can corrode away.
Perhaps they have become one with the frame and birdcage.
They should break free easily - definitely under the weight of the chassis.
Maybe try tapping on the bolt shanks ... and some light heat
if still stuck.
Do you have everything else undone ? steering, wiring, bumpers, seatbelt cable, etc ... ??
The aluminum mount spacers can corrode away.
Perhaps they have become one with the frame and birdcage.
They should break free easily - definitely under the weight of the chassis.
Maybe try tapping on the bolt shanks ... and some light heat
if still stuck.
Do you have everything else undone ? steering, wiring, bumpers, seatbelt cable, etc ... ??
Pro
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 724
Likes: 0
From: Palm Bay FL
dont forget the seat belt reinforcement cable underneath. Like Sly vette said there should be 8. You may have some rust on the bolt shafts that you grinded off causing it to stick, I would shoot some PB blaster on those areas.
Last edited by Robd; Nov 22, 2005 at 01:44 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 948
Likes: 0
From: Johnston Iowa
The body will want to stick to the frame rails a little after sitting on there for over 30+ years. If you have all of the bolts un-done it should come off. One suggestion I might make is to make some good strong supports that attach to the striker and where the door hinges attach to the body to keep the body from flexing/cracking when you pull it off. I have heard of people leaving the doors on but steel supports really worked nice for me when I pulled the body off the frame on my 69 vert. They also give you something to grab onto.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 3
From: Wildwood IL
Originally Posted by NHvette
Maybe try tapping on the bolt shanks ... and some light heat
if still stuck.
if still stuck.
Or maybe a center punch to 
on the bolt shank to loosten the rust. Solid mounts can also be rusted to the brackets. Mine were!!!Eddie
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Originally Posted by sly vette
How did you attach the steel supports to the strikers?
top of the hinge pillar and other end bolts on where the striker is (Torx wrench).
this keeps the body from flexing and bending when supported (lifted)
by the rocker channels.
