removing body
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: Toronto Ontario
removing body
i am restoring/rebuilding a 73 coupe.i am taking the body off and plan on repairing its issues after completing the chassis.i need the body off so i can transfer all the chassis parts to my new frame.i already have the nose off and the back is physically loose and ready to come off.the lower bidcage is completly rotten/missing.otherwise the body is fine.i was going to build a jig duplicating the body mounting points to lay the rear body on but if i do that i cant work on the part i need to rebuild (lower birdcage)because it will sit on that non-existant section.i know most of you guys wouldnt get involved in a project like this but these are the cards i was dealt.im asking if anyone knows if the body will crack if i rest it on the floor or if you have any suggestions on what to do otherwise.im going to build on to the existing bircage and perform the repairs without seperating it from the body unlike others have chosen to do.right now i just want to get the body off and get it out of the way so i can focus on the chassis for now.any help is much appreciated as i am at a standstill. 
thanks
chris
thanks
chris
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,683
Likes: 201
From: Waterford Mi
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 4,077
Likes: 27
From: Northeast South Dakota
I have had the body off of a few C3's and have set them all on their floor and it works out fine. I have some chains that I bolt to the seat belt anchors and to the body mounts down by the driver and passenger foot well that X and are long enough to stick up out of the top of the car that allow me to pick a body up with my cherry picker or overhead hoist so that I can work on the bottom. You can tip them over too (although I do that pretty carefully) and set them on their top or side to allow easy access to the bottom.
-Justin
-Justin
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,231
Likes: 7
From: Fort Pierce Florida
Originally Posted by JonnHeather
You can set it on the floor no problem. I even rolled mine over and let it sit on the roof when I sprayed the bottom of the car. They are durable...
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: Toronto Ontario
Originally Posted by SuprJames
Are you telling me that my dad and I baught an adjustable sub-frame and rotisserie for nothing??
Pro
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 613
Likes: 2
From: West Central Florida
Sure allautomotive, go ahead and set it down, roll it over, have it play dead. These cars are tough, you just have to watch the rocker monting tabs on the front and rear of the cab section or you will break them off and have to reglass them bacl on later. You can fit a 4x6 inside the channel to hold the glass up off the floor as well.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,231
Likes: 7
From: Fort Pierce Florida
Originally Posted by allautomotive
when i was looking at those kits i thought wtf will this do for me?believe me if i thought it would help i would have already bought it.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,257
Likes: 0
From: calgary alberta
Originally Posted by VETTEVIC
Sure allautomotive, go ahead and set it down, roll it over, have it play dead. These cars are tough, you just have to watch the rocker monting tabs on the front and rear of the cab section or you will break them off and have to reglass them bacl on later. You can fit a 4x6 inside the channel to hold the glass up off the floor as well.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
From: Tampa Bay Florida
I've got a 68 vert that needs some bird cage repair too. Problem is, I really haven't the slightest idea how to go about it! The parts that need fix'in are the door pillar behind the driver, and both rocker channels.
The door piller took a hit from an accident and is bowed about 2 inches towards the center of the car. The bottom of it has completely rusted out.
I also have some frame rot in front of both rear wheels. I was told Zip has these sections. Has anyone used them before? The rest of the frame is in great shape.
I recently removed both trailing arms and plan to drop them off at Van Steel. The frame is almost completely stripped now, just have the motor and front suspension left.
Are there any good books on how to repair the bird cage. I'm figuring I'll have to remove some fiberglass, but not sure where I should cut. The harder part will be putting it back on - No idea how. I already have the body off the frame, and I plan to remove the nose section from the rest of the body too.
There's a corvette junk yard ( Sunshine ) not too far from where I live. I'm going to take a ride over and see if they have replacement parts for what's needed.
The car's a real basket case, but I love it!
The door piller took a hit from an accident and is bowed about 2 inches towards the center of the car. The bottom of it has completely rusted out.
I also have some frame rot in front of both rear wheels. I was told Zip has these sections. Has anyone used them before? The rest of the frame is in great shape.
I recently removed both trailing arms and plan to drop them off at Van Steel. The frame is almost completely stripped now, just have the motor and front suspension left.
Are there any good books on how to repair the bird cage. I'm figuring I'll have to remove some fiberglass, but not sure where I should cut. The harder part will be putting it back on - No idea how. I already have the body off the frame, and I plan to remove the nose section from the rest of the body too.
There's a corvette junk yard ( Sunshine ) not too far from where I live. I'm going to take a ride over and see if they have replacement parts for what's needed.
The car's a real basket case, but I love it!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: Toronto Ontario
Originally Posted by cannonfl
I've got a 68 vert that needs some bird cage repair too. Problem is, I really haven't the slightest idea how to go about it! The parts that need fix'in are the door pillar behind the driver, and both rocker channels.
The door piller took a hit from an accident and is bowed about 2 inches towards the center of the car. The bottom of it has completely rusted out.
I also have some frame rot in front of both rear wheels. I was told Zip has these sections. Has anyone used them before? The rest of the frame is in great shape.
I recently removed both trailing arms and plan to drop them off at Van Steel. The frame is almost completely stripped now, just have the motor and front suspension left.
Are there any good books on how to repair the bird cage. I'm figuring I'll have to remove some fiberglass, but not sure where I should cut. The harder part will be putting it back on - No idea how. I already have the body off the frame, and I plan to remove the nose section from the rest of the body too.
There's a corvette junk yard ( Sunshine ) not too far from where I live. I'm going to take a ride over and see if they have replacement parts for what's needed.
The car's a real basket case, but I love it!
The door piller took a hit from an accident and is bowed about 2 inches towards the center of the car. The bottom of it has completely rusted out.
I also have some frame rot in front of both rear wheels. I was told Zip has these sections. Has anyone used them before? The rest of the frame is in great shape.
I recently removed both trailing arms and plan to drop them off at Van Steel. The frame is almost completely stripped now, just have the motor and front suspension left.
Are there any good books on how to repair the bird cage. I'm figuring I'll have to remove some fiberglass, but not sure where I should cut. The harder part will be putting it back on - No idea how. I already have the body off the frame, and I plan to remove the nose section from the rest of the body too.
There's a corvette junk yard ( Sunshine ) not too far from where I live. I'm going to take a ride over and see if they have replacement parts for what's needed.
The car's a real basket case, but I love it!
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
From: Tampa Bay Florida
You're right about this website. Someone should take the best post and compile them into a book.
I've got a friend who welds, so I'm going to go that route first.
I visited Vette Products, and they have all the frame sections I need. I didn't see any bird cage parts listed on there site, but maybe I was looking in the wrong section. Could you post the websites you've found that carry bird cage parts?
Thanks.
I've got a friend who welds, so I'm going to go that route first.
I visited Vette Products, and they have all the frame sections I need. I didn't see any bird cage parts listed on there site, but maybe I was looking in the wrong section. Could you post the websites you've found that carry bird cage parts?
Thanks.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 613
Likes: 2
From: West Central Florida
Also try Yogi Bairs ( www.bairs.com ) for bird cage sections and other stuff. As with every thing else, some places are cheaper on some things and more expensive on others. Gather good list of parts you need and find each part in more than one place. Chances are you will have a couple of things from each supplier cheaper than the others then make smaller orders to each one. Keep in mind that some charge shipping based on price, others on weight, and some discount it for more money spent.
Vic
Vic
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
From: Ontario
Body jig
Hello
I made something that may be of help to you. I call it an Octo Jig and you can roll the car upside down, so the top of the car take s the weight. It is easy to make
I don't know how to post a pic, but if you look at my sig, it should show a photo bucket site. On it you will see a picture of it
If you cannot get to it e-mail me and will send you pics if you are interested
Take care
Tom
I made something that may be of help to you. I call it an Octo Jig and you can roll the car upside down, so the top of the car take s the weight. It is easy to make
I don't know how to post a pic, but if you look at my sig, it should show a photo bucket site. On it you will see a picture of it
If you cannot get to it e-mail me and will send you pics if you are interested
Take care
Tom