Body Off Resto Advice
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Body Off Resto Advice
Hi All,
I am in the process of placing the body of my '70 roadster back on the chassis after a full resortation. As this is the first body-off restoration i have done i would love some words of wisdom from others who have done this.
I am pretty sure i have a handle on everything, the chassis will have all the suspension and steering back on it before hand, and the brake and fuel lines. Is there qanything else that is a MUST DO before lowering the body?
I don't want to forget something that will cause me to have to lift the body again.
Cheers, Brock
I am in the process of placing the body of my '70 roadster back on the chassis after a full resortation. As this is the first body-off restoration i have done i would love some words of wisdom from others who have done this.
I am pretty sure i have a handle on everything, the chassis will have all the suspension and steering back on it before hand, and the brake and fuel lines. Is there qanything else that is a MUST DO before lowering the body?
I don't want to forget something that will cause me to have to lift the body again.
Cheers, Brock
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,028
Likes: 2
From: North NJ
Have not done one myself so I can only offer you what I've read.
Make sure brake lights are hooked up, make sure everything with trans is hooked up except shifter ball or even shifter stick. Make sure none of your wires are laying ontop of the frame where the body will crush it...but make sure it is accessible if you ever needed to fix down the line. Make sure the radiator is set to go. When lowering the body keep an eye on contact points especially the radiator, DISTRIBUTOR! and steering column. When the body is close to contact you could lay the body bushings and start applying the bolts and nuts, keep them loose until all 8 are in and threading started.
Good luck, I am envious that you were able to do a body off, I wish I had the room and equipment to do it. Post some pics so I can see how it all went...and any things that I should know that might help me avoid cusin and breaking things when and if I am able to do the body lift.
Good luck.
Make sure brake lights are hooked up, make sure everything with trans is hooked up except shifter ball or even shifter stick. Make sure none of your wires are laying ontop of the frame where the body will crush it...but make sure it is accessible if you ever needed to fix down the line. Make sure the radiator is set to go. When lowering the body keep an eye on contact points especially the radiator, DISTRIBUTOR! and steering column. When the body is close to contact you could lay the body bushings and start applying the bolts and nuts, keep them loose until all 8 are in and threading started.
Good luck, I am envious that you were able to do a body off, I wish I had the room and equipment to do it. Post some pics so I can see how it all went...and any things that I should know that might help me avoid cusin and breaking things when and if I am able to do the body lift.
Good luck.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,143
Likes: 0
From: Leander Texas
If your work area floor is concrete you may find it easier to use a set of pads with casters under each wheel to roll the frame around under the body for easy alignment as you lower the body down onto the frame.
Good Luck.
Good Luck.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 971
Likes: 7
From: roanoke va
Make sure the rear shock bolts are installed the right way,the crossmember bolts if it's an auto,and the e-brake pully is installed with the bolt in the right way. If these bolts are installed backwards you can not remove them.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,387
Likes: 2
From: Meriden CT
Originally Posted by wills670
Make sure the rear shock bolts are installed the right way,the crossmember bolts if it's an auto,and the e-brake pully is installed with the bolt in the right way. If these bolts are installed backwards you can not remove them.
hahaha, i had to cut my shock bolts with the sawzall...... thought never occured to me until we were done with the car and I was going over everything underneath.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Originally Posted by JoeRags
hahaha, i had to cut my shock bolts with the sawzall...... thought never occured to me until we were done with the car and I was going over everything underneath.
If installing - the foam rubber seals between the body/frame ...
and the trans collar ... and the trans tunnel fiberglass.
This is the fun part ... she looks like a car again.
Last edited by NHvette; Apr 3, 2006 at 10:39 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,248
Likes: 48
From: westland mi
Originally Posted by NHvette
I hope I don't have to cut mine someday (shocks are new)
If installing - the foam rubber seals between the body/frame ...
and the trans collar ... and the trans tunnel fiberglass.
This is the fun part ... she looks like a car again.
If installing - the foam rubber seals between the body/frame ...
and the trans collar ... and the trans tunnel fiberglass.
This is the fun part ... she looks like a car again.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,387
Likes: 2
From: Meriden CT
Originally Posted by NHvette
I hope I don't have to cut mine someday (shocks are new)
its just the bolts you'll have to worry about. make sure the head of the bolt is to the outside of the car. i had mine in the other way around. you try to pull the bolt out, but the body is there....