We have been there and feel the pain, skinned knuckles 
My 1st Thread! Yaaayyyy!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
From: Fishers IN
My 1st Thread! Yaaayyyy!
Hey all,
Been hanging around the forum for a while but never posted a thread. I have found most all the info I am looking for by searching old threads. The knowledge on this site is awesome! You all are like the Library of Congress for C3's. Thanks for your help so far.
Mine is the classic story of starting with a cracked intake manifold, and...while I was at it...So now 2 years & 625 parts later deciding to go for the full frame off. "Eileen" is a #'s matching '69 427/390 (now +.030) 4 spd. I am trying to keep her as original as possible, but am replacing worn out parts with new technology (intake, carb, susp, etc).
The problem is I am now in an as$backwards situation for a frame off. The car is up on jacks. Engine & front susp out, rear susp not functional, interior empty. I have limited height in my garage, but did see that Maine Vette and others lifted their bodies with an engine hoist & straps (I have).
My plan is to...
1) Do the prep for lifting
2) Lower entire vehicle
3) Lift the body
4) Move the frame out on wheel dollys
5) Move in body dolly (I found plans on the forum
)
6) Place body on body dolly
Anyone see any problems, pitfalls, stupidity, or insanity with my plan? Thanks.
Been hanging around the forum for a while but never posted a thread. I have found most all the info I am looking for by searching old threads. The knowledge on this site is awesome! You all are like the Library of Congress for C3's. Thanks for your help so far.
Mine is the classic story of starting with a cracked intake manifold, and...while I was at it...So now 2 years & 625 parts later deciding to go for the full frame off. "Eileen" is a #'s matching '69 427/390 (now +.030) 4 spd. I am trying to keep her as original as possible, but am replacing worn out parts with new technology (intake, carb, susp, etc).
The problem is I am now in an as$backwards situation for a frame off. The car is up on jacks. Engine & front susp out, rear susp not functional, interior empty. I have limited height in my garage, but did see that Maine Vette and others lifted their bodies with an engine hoist & straps (I have).
My plan is to...
1) Do the prep for lifting
2) Lower entire vehicle
3) Lift the body
4) Move the frame out on wheel dollys
5) Move in body dolly (I found plans on the forum
)6) Place body on body dolly
Anyone see any problems, pitfalls, stupidity, or insanity with my plan? Thanks.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,652
Likes: 80
From: Lakeland Florida
you have a lot of work ahead of you.
I guess you could lift the body off and put it on a dolly. You said that you have plans from the Forum, so you have seen or heard of it done before. Like I said
You have a lot of work ahead of you.
Good luck on getting this done. Eileen would be proud of you.
kdf
I guess you could lift the body off and put it on a dolly. You said that you have plans from the Forum, so you have seen or heard of it done before. Like I said
You have a lot of work ahead of you.
Good luck on getting this done. Eileen would be proud of you.
kdf
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,289
Likes: 3
From: East Waterboro Maine
A few things I learned along the way...
If you're using an engine lift you'll probably need to drop the frame so that the frame rails are almost to the ground. I had to remove my tires and block the frame so the rotors were just barely above my garage floor. This left just barely enough room to roll the legs of the engine lift under the body. Having the engine out will definitely make things easier though. If you can, remove your gas tank as well.
Why roll the chassis out from under the body? If space permits I would suggest lifting the body and rolling the hoist back enough so you can get your body dolly under it.
Be sure to support the nose when lifting, it will sag A LOT if you don't.
When I lifted mine the body was hanging up a bit on the frame rails (the body was 'pinching' the frame rails) so I had to use a jack to gently push up on the body to help get things freed up. Be careful though, it's all fiberglass under there. To avoid punching a hole through the floor use a few pieces of plywood to distribute the pressure. It shouldn't take much force though. If it doesn't budge you probalby forgot something (e.g. seat belt bolts).
Good luck and post pictures!
If you're using an engine lift you'll probably need to drop the frame so that the frame rails are almost to the ground. I had to remove my tires and block the frame so the rotors were just barely above my garage floor. This left just barely enough room to roll the legs of the engine lift under the body. Having the engine out will definitely make things easier though. If you can, remove your gas tank as well.
Why roll the chassis out from under the body? If space permits I would suggest lifting the body and rolling the hoist back enough so you can get your body dolly under it.
Be sure to support the nose when lifting, it will sag A LOT if you don't.
When I lifted mine the body was hanging up a bit on the frame rails (the body was 'pinching' the frame rails) so I had to use a jack to gently push up on the body to help get things freed up. Be careful though, it's all fiberglass under there. To avoid punching a hole through the floor use a few pieces of plywood to distribute the pressure. It shouldn't take much force though. If it doesn't budge you probalby forgot something (e.g. seat belt bolts).
Good luck and post pictures!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
From: Fishers IN
Thanks for the advice Maine Vette. By the way, I've been following your website for a while. Doing a body off AND a website? Dang, you are talented! Congrats on the 454. My boys & I watched your videos this morning. Pretty cool!
I wanted to move the frame so I can enclose, blast, paint, etc. in the other bay. As you can see from the pics, should not be a problem getting frame rails close to the floor. Yesterday I got everything cleared to drop the tank. That was my major concern, getting the body to clear the tank with 8'6" ceilings. If needed I have had many brother, uncles, nephews, etc. volunteer to help lift the body. So I should be OK. Thanks again for the help!
Here's a couple of pics of where I am right now
I wanted to move the frame so I can enclose, blast, paint, etc. in the other bay. As you can see from the pics, should not be a problem getting frame rails close to the floor. Yesterday I got everything cleared to drop the tank. That was my major concern, getting the body to clear the tank with 8'6" ceilings. If needed I have had many brother, uncles, nephews, etc. volunteer to help lift the body. So I should be OK. Thanks again for the help!
Here's a couple of pics of where I am right now
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,289
Likes: 3
From: East Waterboro Maine
Looks like you've got a back-up C3 at your disposal. I wish I did. I hate the fact that it will be at least another year before I even get mine on the road. 
Of course if I was out in the garage actaully working on mine right now instead of playing on the forum, I could probably get it done sooner...
I wish I did. I hate the fact that it will be at least another year before I even get mine on the road. Of course if I was out in the garage actaully working on mine right now instead of playing on the forum, I could probably get it done sooner...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 8,295
Likes: 30
From: one night in Bangkok you are never lonely
Originally Posted by Maine Vette
Of course if I was out in the garage actaully working on mine right now instead of playing on the forum, I could probably get it done sooner...
Lots of that problem here 
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
From: Fishers IN
I'll tell you what though, If I hadn't found the forum, I wouldn't have attempted half the stuff I have already done. An excellent source of knowledge... & it grow 'nards too! 
But seriously, it's good to know that whatever I screw up, someone has probably already done & fixed before me. That & with the $eemingly endle$$ $upply of part$, $ervice$, & vendor$ I can replace whatever it i$ that I $crewed up!
But seriously, it's good to know that whatever I screw up, someone has probably already done & fixed before me. That & with the $eemingly endle$$ $upply of part$, $ervice$, & vendor$ I can replace whatever it i$ that I $crewed up!
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Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 16,978
Likes: 7
From: In Dreams There Is Truth Ohio
you can lift the body without the use of the hoist.....6-8 guys will do the job faster and safer...I had 6 of my buds help me lift mine off...same putting the body back on. This way there's no height restrictions.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
From: Fishers IN
Thanks G, That was plan B, it may have just become plan A. Only caution I've heard on this is don't have anyone lift anywhere forward of the front wheel wells as the nose is very weak without it's support. Is that true? Any other cautions?
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 16,978
Likes: 7
From: In Dreams There Is Truth Ohio
I had 6 guys, 3 per side, under front and rear wheel well opening, and middle of the door....no problem...but if that is a concern, then have a guy lift between the door and just past the wheel well. I had one more guy....he rolled the chassis forward.
Another thing...remove the radiator out, but not the core support.
Another thing...remove the radiator out, but not the core support.
