Convertible Frame Off
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 370
Likes: 0
New England Events Coordinator
Convertible Frame Off
I am in the process of replacing my vert with a new set up from Al Knoch. While I am refubishing the frame I would like to remove the frame from the car and clean it up and paint it. While I was removing the two main bolts that attach to the car (behind the seats) it appears the bolts thread into a movable plate that is inside the body cavity with no access. I am concerned that if I remove the bolts this plate will drop and I will not be able the reattached the bolts as there is no access to the plates.
Can anyone shead light on how to remove the frame without loosing the plate in the body cavitiy?
Can anyone shead light on how to remove the frame without loosing the plate in the body cavitiy?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,140
Likes: 7
From: Ohio
No problem GO FOR IT
I have done this many times. The plate behind is captive and I think the plate has two holes so they both move together for adjustment. Go for it the factory had to have it this way.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 370
Likes: 0
New England Events Coordinator
adjustment on plate
Yes Lyle the frame is the convertible frame. You state the captive nuts on the single plate is for adjustment the factory had it this way. So you are saying the plate is movable for adjustment and it will not drop out of reach if I take both nuts off? And the plate will not be free to drop inside the cavity. Am I reading this correctly?
Last edited by phclub; Mar 21, 2007 at 10:00 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,669
Likes: 3
From: Kingston Ontario
This is going to be a body off (complete ) 1970 vert ??
If so you need to be looking at 4 mount bolts per side.
Not sure I understand "bolt behind seat"??
No. 1 between front wheel and door post
No. 2 behind kick panel
No. 3 inside rear wheel well forward ( inspection panel )
No. 4 behind rear wheel
Same on both sides.
Is this what you are doing?? If so; on a vert you are going to want to structurally connect the door opening before and while the body is off frame.
If so you need to be looking at 4 mount bolts per side.
Not sure I understand "bolt behind seat"??
No. 1 between front wheel and door post
No. 2 behind kick panel
No. 3 inside rear wheel well forward ( inspection panel )
No. 4 behind rear wheel
Same on both sides.
Is this what you are doing?? If so; on a vert you are going to want to structurally connect the door opening before and while the body is off frame.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 370
Likes: 0
New England Events Coordinator
this is a rag top replacement
Hi Dannyman, sorry for the confussion, this is a rag top question. The frame mounting hardware seems to be attached to a internal plate that moves when I loosen the bolts and I am concerned that the plate will drop out of reach when both bolts are completely removed.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,669
Likes: 3
From: Kingston Ontario
"Convertible frame off" 
OK ! I was really off track on this one. Had visions of a vert being folded in half !! Sorry..
It's my understanding that the nuts are floating and they are like that for alignment purposes, without needing an elongated hole through to the exterior of the body. You are not going to loose them in the body.
Follow LYLE's advise ; Go for it!!
OK ! I was really off track on this one. Had visions of a vert being folded in half !! Sorry..
It's my understanding that the nuts are floating and they are like that for alignment purposes, without needing an elongated hole through to the exterior of the body. You are not going to loose them in the body.
Follow LYLE's advise ; Go for it!!
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23,375
Likes: 1,067
From: Virginia USA
So, you are not talking about taking the body off the rolling chassie but taking the convertible top frame off the body? If it's the latter then you can take the nuts off the studs that hold the convertible top to the body without loosing them unless all the studs come off and the plate falls down the channel. If that happens get one of the magnets on a stick. There is a lot of play on the attachments for adjustments. If your top frame fits good around the windows I suggest you mark the position before taking them off so you can put it back where they belong.
John
John
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 370
Likes: 0
New England Events Coordinator
Rag Top replacement
Thanks for all the info on the mounting plates. I am feeling more confident that I will not loose them from your collective feedback.
Any other comments on replacing a Al Knoch rag top are welcome. I will post pics when completed.
Any other comments on replacing a Al Knoch rag top are welcome. I will post pics when completed.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23,375
Likes: 1,067
From: Virginia USA
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1457856
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1428437
If you have a hardtop here is what I did - Put the hardtop on and adjust your windows to the hardtop weather strips. Then when you install the soft top adjust the frame to the windows. This will make it so that both tops seal to the windows properly.
It's not a bad job just take your time. When it comes to installing the new top to the rear bow it helps to have an extra set of hands.
Good luck.
John
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,131
Likes: 4
From: May help you? You can sure as hell try!
You might want to mark the location of the top frame bracket location where it mounts behind the seats before loosening the bolts. That way when you mount the frame back in place you will have markings as to where exactly it attached before. There is a fair amount of adjustment there. That should take some guess work out of getting the top frame lined up again. The nut plates ARE captive so they won't get lost when you remove the bolts.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,140
Likes: 7
From: Ohio
The mounting is threaded bolts not nuts. Just take them out the plate will not fall down.
After you paint the frame install the new window weatherstrip and fit the frame to the windows. You will need to remove the weatherstrip to install the top.
After you paint the frame install the new window weatherstrip and fit the frame to the windows. You will need to remove the weatherstrip to install the top.
Racer
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 432
Likes: 0
From: Manchvegas NH
Hey Rich,
I haven't been on here in awhile, and just caught this post.
When I removed my soft top frame, the mounting plates dropped, but not far enough where you couldn't get at it.
Definitely take the advice and mark the original mounting location. Then, you'll have a decent starting point when re-installing.
- Dennis
I haven't been on here in awhile, and just caught this post.
When I removed my soft top frame, the mounting plates dropped, but not far enough where you couldn't get at it.
Definitely take the advice and mark the original mounting location. Then, you'll have a decent starting point when re-installing.
- Dennis