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Old Oct 26, 2011 | 01:47 AM
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Default Frame off

I have a 1980 corvette that i did a frame off. I never did one before when i took the body off the frame i didn't keep track of where the shims go. If anyone could help me that would be great. My email is kendoo13156@yahoo.com Also if anyone knows where i can find a set of headers that fit that year so i can go to dual exhust. Thanks ken.
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Old Oct 26, 2011 | 08:54 AM
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The shims were used to fit teh body on the mounts so the body lines are straight and there is no binding. I think you are going to have to put the body back on the mounts and add shims to get the fitment the best and the body level.

Summit Racing has a set of headers that will fit your car. I have a set of these and they are OK. Strip off the cheap paint on them and re-paint them with high temp header paint. I think they are Headman headers.

Also Hooker make headers for your car. I have a set of these as well. They came on a crate engine that was on a 73 parts car I bought.
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Old Oct 26, 2011 | 09:14 AM
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How many shims to you have? My advice would be to add them up, divide by eight, and install that number at each mount. That will only get you in the ball park.

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Old Oct 26, 2011 | 01:17 PM
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Thank you, i will take any help i can get. This is holding me up because i have a guy waiting to paint my car.
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Old Oct 26, 2011 | 07:53 PM
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Hi k,
I'd take a slightly different approach.
I'd begin by putting 3 shims on each body mount; then put the body in place. Begin aligning the doors and hood, and adjusting the gaps, by adding or subtracting shims as needed.
I'd try to not go below 1 or above 5 at any body mount.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
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Old Oct 26, 2011 | 10:58 PM
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Originally Posted by Alan 71
Hi k,
I'd take a slightly different approach.
I'd begin by putting 3 shims on each body mount; then put the body in place. Begin aligning the doors and hood, and adjusting the gaps, by adding or subtracting shims as needed.
I'd try to not go below 1 or above 5 at any body mount.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
Thank you Alan,? after i put the 3 shims in should i tigthen all the body bolts down then check for alignment.Thanks again. Ken
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Old Nov 7, 2011 | 10:11 AM
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Hey Kendoo, just wondering how the shimming turned out? I have an 80 as well that I am in the process of pull the body off of to sandblast and probably POR 15 the frame. I already have some odd body gaps and wondered how well you were able to realign by shimming.

BTW, did you blast your frame and paint? Just looking for what others have done and success levels.
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Old Nov 11, 2011 | 09:40 AM
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Originally Posted by gbarmore
Hey Kendoo, just wondering how the shimming turned out? I have an 80 as well that I am in the process of pull the body off of to sandblast and probably POR 15 the frame. I already have some odd body gaps and wondered how well you were able to realign by shimming.

BTW, did you blast your frame and paint? Just looking for what others have done and success levels.
Hello i haven't put the body back on yet.The frame was in great shape all i had to done is wash it and touch it up with a wire brush. Good luck
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Old Nov 11, 2011 | 10:04 AM
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Went through the same thing myself this summer. I put 3 shims on the center mount locations and then matched the corner gaps with the appropriate amount of shims that would fit. Torqued everything down and the gaps look great. Either the method worked or I was just plain lucky.

My thread below along with some suggestions from the members. Once again "forum to the rescue." What's not to love about this place.?.?.?

Good Luck
Terry

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...unt-shims.html
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