phelpsjy
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
phelpsjy
First time member, I've been reading without being a member for several weeks and have gotten many answers without officially signing up. Thanks to all.
I've purchased what I thought was an affordable first corvette 1976 6 years ago and made all the mistakes without asking first. Paint job first! well i bought a rust bucket, anyone that does not know vettes think all fiberglass & no rust. Wrong! I've went along way without manuals etc... I'm trying an engine swap brand new in the box MerCruiser 350 MAG MPI horsepower rated at the prop is 370. I thought I'd give it a try, my background is boats for 30 years. Well that's where I found the rust and figured nows a good time to clean it up, new bushing, tie rods, brakes, etc... basically everything is brand new up front. I'm this far along & I'd like to remove the body and go full bore. But having problems with removing the body bushings, all the bolts in the front and rear have broke off the ones under the doors are hard to find and how do I get to. From inside the car? Also should the doors come of for a body removal? Any recommendations? Well sorry for the novel / introduction to my 1976 and myself. I'll keep the next ones shorter.
I've purchased what I thought was an affordable first corvette 1976 6 years ago and made all the mistakes without asking first. Paint job first! well i bought a rust bucket, anyone that does not know vettes think all fiberglass & no rust. Wrong! I've went along way without manuals etc... I'm trying an engine swap brand new in the box MerCruiser 350 MAG MPI horsepower rated at the prop is 370. I thought I'd give it a try, my background is boats for 30 years. Well that's where I found the rust and figured nows a good time to clean it up, new bushing, tie rods, brakes, etc... basically everything is brand new up front. I'm this far along & I'd like to remove the body and go full bore. But having problems with removing the body bushings, all the bolts in the front and rear have broke off the ones under the doors are hard to find and how do I get to. From inside the car? Also should the doors come of for a body removal? Any recommendations? Well sorry for the novel / introduction to my 1976 and myself. I'll keep the next ones shorter.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
Pull the doors, makes life easier, but not necessary. The #2 mounts are behind the kick panels, pull the panel and the bolt head is inside the hole. The #3 mount is behind a small panel in the wheel well right in front of the rear wheel, 4 screws and it comes off. #4 accesable under the car in the back. #1 is under the hood in the corner right in front of the firewall
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
phelpsjy
Six Footer Great news on the #2 mount. #1 & #4 the bolts twisted right off and broke, is this alright until I get the body off? #3 seemed to just spin, theres no other end that one should hold? I guess to make it simple is #2 & #3 nut end welded or part of the frame. Thanks for your advice, i have several manuals now and none explain body bushing, Corvette Central tech line advised that I purchase the assembly manual. Your advise will keep me going for more. I need to learn more about this forum too, is there something I'm missing like a new name.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,685
Likes: 202
From: Waterford Mi
From one thats been there, The nuts are held to the frame by cages. Onces the nuts start to spin you may as well just cut/grind the heads off the bolts untill you get the body off.
body-off project
body-off project
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,675
Likes: 13
From: Sudbury MA
Welcome to the Forum.
This is the palace to get help from a lot of good people and answers to your questions.
Most on here have already "been there done that" so don't be afraid to ask.
Kurt
This is the palace to get help from a lot of good people and answers to your questions.
Most on here have already "been there done that" so don't be afraid to ask.
Kurt
