80 body removal
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 245
Likes: 5
From: Layton, UT
80 body removal
Im getting ready to try and remove the body from my 80. I am wondering if i have to provide extra support to the front bumber an on 80. I think i read somewhere that in 80 the heavy steel nose was replaced by fiberglass. Therefore im assuming that i wouldnt need to provide the extra support. Am i correct?
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 1
From: Lafayette Louisiana
I have never heard about the "heavy steel nose" being replaced. The 80, 81, & 82 I have owned at one time or another all had the metal bumper support. The 80 model I wrecked definately had the metal piece. I got a close up look at it when I ripped the front clip off. The 81 view came via a body off resto. The body will lift without supporting the nose but during storage I would support the entire body.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 402
Likes: 141
From: Charlotte NC
i've seen this a few times and a dolly was made of wood with heavy duty wheels that supported the bird cage then 2 X 4s were cut and placed under the nose and rear to support either end to prevent sagging.
but. the body will lift and roll around with just the support under the middle.
but. the body will lift and roll around with just the support under the middle.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 245
Likes: 5
From: Layton, UT
okay i found the article. It is from the Chevrolet Corvette Restoration Guide. Here is the exact quote- maybe i am misunderstanding what its talking about. "The 1980 car was actually lighter than the previous year's model-by some 250lb......but the biggest weight reduction stemmed from the fact that the new nose was constructed from fibreglass and so did not need the substantial support structure required by the previous steel version."
So- i guess im a little confused. According to this the body shouldnt have to be extra supported at the nose, at least i wouldnt think, because its just fibreglass like everything else.
So- i guess im a little confused. According to this the body shouldnt have to be extra supported at the nose, at least i wouldnt think, because its just fibreglass like everything else.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,266
Likes: 156
From: Galloway Twp. NJ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
WTF is that talking about?????
they must mean the front bumper impact bar or something.
since all corvettes have a "fiberglass nose".
From what I have seen, the front should have some support when lifting the body off the frame, usually it's a strap secured to the radiator support.
I removed my front clip (have some birdcage rust issues to deal with), and next is the rest of the body.
they must mean the front bumper impact bar or something.
since all corvettes have a "fiberglass nose".
From what I have seen, the front should have some support when lifting the body off the frame, usually it's a strap secured to the radiator support.
I removed my front clip (have some birdcage rust issues to deal with), and next is the rest of the body.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 16,945
Likes: 9
The 80-82 have a steel front frame extention but there's a fiberglass (3pc) impact bar also. It consists of 2 side bars and a front bar where the absorbing cushions mount to. You can see it in 82MDvette's picture on the left and the foreground.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 692
Likes: 69
From: Juneau AK
Originally Posted by Twin_Turbo
The 80-82 have a steel front frame extention but there's a fiberglass (3pc) impact bar also. It consists of 2 side bars and a front bar where the absorbing cushions mount to. You can see it in 82MDvette's picture on the left and the foreground.
Exactly... as for support on the nose when you lift the body, if you use one of the (4) strap systems you'll come off pretty much square (no nose droop). If you do get the front straps a bit to the rear, the nose will want to lean forward.I was concerned about the weight of the front quarter panels, etc. putting undue strain on the seam to the body so I ran an extra strap from the lifting point above to the nose. I guess my thought was that I could take some pressure off the front (if it should droop). It turned out to be totally unnecessary. By the way, mine is an '81.
It lifted pretty much straight up... we rolled the chassis out and the body cart in, dropped the body onto the cart and that was that.
Good Luck,
kdlp
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