Body lifting question
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 251
Likes: 0
From: Milan
Body lifting question
I'm going to lift the body in the next weeks 
so I'm building a steel body dolly...
My rocker channels aren't in good condition (quite rusty as the frame), so I think the best way could be the 6 buds lifting method
But I've still engine and gas tank on the frame and I'm not sure about the hand power max. lifting height
Could be enough to drop engine and gas tank???
Sure,remove the carburator should help, as lower the frame without wheels
I know that also the gas tank can be removed before body lifting but I don't know how exactly! Any suggestion???
so I'm building a steel body dolly...My rocker channels aren't in good condition (quite rusty as the frame), so I think the best way could be the 6 buds lifting method
But I've still engine and gas tank on the frame and I'm not sure about the hand power max. lifting height
Could be enough to drop engine and gas tank???Sure,remove the carburator should help, as lower the frame without wheels
I know that also the gas tank can be removed before body lifting but I don't know how exactly! Any suggestion???
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Noland Adams has a body lift workbook and video. It's for C2s, but the processes are essentially the same for C3s. Eckler's has it and it's available through the NCRS.
http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?p...os-_-53043-_-X
Good Luck.
http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?p...os-_-53043-_-X
Good Luck.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
If you unbolt the straps holding the gas tank and unbolt the crossmember the tank will come down. There are hoses on each side of the tank as well as the sender wire that have to be removed also. Removing the carb and distributor will get you as much clearance as possible without removing the engine. You shouldn't have to lift the body very far to clear the engine. The gas tank is the highest point.
Rick B.
Rick B.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 763
Likes: 42
From: Detroit MI
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10
The fuel tank and carb are the two highest points (the carb is slightly higher). The fuel tank pull will require the removal of the spare tire carrier, exhaust, and crossmember with straps. Not real challenging, but a dirty job from the bottom.
If you do not pull your carb, at least remove the stud for the air cleaner.
Enclosed is a side angle of my chassis to give you an idea on height.
I was lucky enough to have a 4 post lift to facilitate the removal.
Good luck.
If you do not pull your carb, at least remove the stud for the air cleaner.
Enclosed is a side angle of my chassis to give you an idea on height.
I was lucky enough to have a 4 post lift to facilitate the removal.
Good luck.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 251
Likes: 0
From: Milan
Thanks for the help!
Removing carburetor and distributor isn't a poblem, but removing the gas tank could be not so easy
Exhaust and spare tire carrier bolts/nuts are seized
Really a dirty job, but I will try to do it
Removing carburetor and distributor isn't a poblem, but removing the gas tank could be not so easy
Exhaust and spare tire carrier bolts/nuts are seized
Really a dirty job, but I will try to do it
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 763
Likes: 42
From: Detroit MI
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10
Cutting the exhaust off might be your best option to get it out of the way. As for the carrier nuts, I fashioned a deep well 6 point socket with a thin bolt in it and ran it on an air impact (the end of the carrier bolt is nothing more than an oval with two flat ends). I ended up getting one of them out using this method. On one side I broke the boss off inside the crossmember. There are access holes to pull it out after I ground off the carrier bolt. It is a royal pain. Air tools are your friend.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Ottawa
I cut the exhaust off and left the gas tank and carb on.6 guy's would really not be enough.It took eight including 1 person to postion the body dolly.Also you may have a few wires left underneath to cut.At least i did.Good luck..
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Instructor
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh PA
I just lifted my a couple months ago. Here are some things I learned....
I was worried about height also. I did not remove the gas tank and left the engine with carb in place. I was able to lift the body in a standard height garage with some wiggeling and jiggeling, but no major difficulties.
I wanted to save my paint so I was being pretty careful and kept the straps closer togeter then I would have prefered. No big problem, but caused the nose to drop low.
If you use a lift like the one in the picture make sure it does not colide with the dolly. I had to remove one of the 2x4s to get the dolly under the car.
Good Luck
I was worried about height also. I did not remove the gas tank and left the engine with carb in place. I was able to lift the body in a standard height garage with some wiggeling and jiggeling, but no major difficulties.
I wanted to save my paint so I was being pretty careful and kept the straps closer togeter then I would have prefered. No big problem, but caused the nose to drop low.
If you use a lift like the one in the picture make sure it does not colide with the dolly. I had to remove one of the 2x4s to get the dolly under the car.
Good Luck
Last edited by depdep3; Sep 29, 2008 at 09:22 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 251
Likes: 0
From: Milan
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 251
Likes: 0
From: Milan
I will buy enough beer for 8 buds
Last edited by Dream Bikes; Sep 29, 2008 at 09:43 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 251
Likes: 0
From: Milan
I just lifted my a couple months ago. Here are some things I learned....
I was worried about height also. I did not remove the gas tank and left the engine with carb in place. I was able to lift the body in a standard height garage with some wiggeling and jiggeling, but no major difficulties.
I wanted to save my paint so I was being pretty careful and kept the straps closer togeter then I would have prefered. No big problem, but caused the nose to drop low.
If you use a lift like the one in the picture make sure it does not colide with the dolly. I had to remove one of the 2x4s to get the dolly under the car.
Good Luck
I was worried about height also. I did not remove the gas tank and left the engine with carb in place. I was able to lift the body in a standard height garage with some wiggeling and jiggeling, but no major difficulties.
I wanted to save my paint so I was being pretty careful and kept the straps closer togeter then I would have prefered. No big problem, but caused the nose to drop low.
If you use a lift like the one in the picture make sure it does not colide with the dolly. I had to remove one of the 2x4s to get the dolly under the car.
Good Luck
Thanks for the imput
If the 6-8 guys method will works, I shouldn't have this problems..
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,289
Likes: 3
From: East Waterboro Maine
I also used an engine hoist to remove my body, but it just barely was able to lift the body high enough to clear the carb and gas tank. To reinstall my body I've created an overhead lifting frame with two chain hoists, it should work much better.
So why are you building a steel body dolly? A wooden one would be much cheaper and easier to construct?
If you think it might help you can see photos of my body lift and read some narratives on it at my website www.corvette-restoration.com. The body lift is under the first update.
Good luck!
Tim
So why are you building a steel body dolly? A wooden one would be much cheaper and easier to construct?
If you think it might help you can see photos of my body lift and read some narratives on it at my website www.corvette-restoration.com. The body lift is under the first update.
Good luck!
Tim
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 251
Likes: 0
From: Milan
So why are you building a steel body dolly? A wooden one would be much cheaper and easier to construct?
If you think it might help you can see photos of my body lift and read some narratives on it at my website www.corvette-restoration.com. The body lift is under the first update.
Good luck!
Tim
If you think it might help you can see photos of my body lift and read some narratives on it at my website www.corvette-restoration.com. The body lift is under the first update.
Good luck!
Tim
).Tim, your website is awesome and very useful for my frame-off project
I'm following it since last year You're doing a wonderful job
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 251
Likes: 0
From: Milan
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Doing the math depending on what you leave on the body each guy will have to lift around 170lbs.
edit-more guys,more beer?
Last edited by ...Roger...; Sep 30, 2008 at 11:31 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 251
Likes: 0
From: Milan
More beer? We are in October...will be the "October Fest"
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Helmetta New Jersey
I used a block and tackle rated at 1000lbs and worked easily on my 68 coupe. Having four others friends will also be a big help as well. Prior to lifting the body, the drive train, fuel tank, radiator were removed. I kept the t-tops, doors and radiator support on for stability. I will post pictures later on.