About to start a frame-off...
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 741
Likes: 1
From: Woodstock GA
About to start a frame-off...
..and I was wondering about the front fenders. I notice that every picture I see of someone removing the body from a C3, that they leave the front fenders on. If there is no damage to the fenders, or firewall/floorpan issues, should I just leave them on? I'm not worried about any extra work, I just want to make sure I do this job correctly. Thanks!
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
..and I was wondering about the front fenders. I notice that every picture I see of someone removing the body from a C3, that they leave the front fenders on. If there is no damage to the fenders, or firewall/floorpan issues, should I just leave them on? I'm not worried about any extra work, I just want to make sure I do this job correctly. Thanks!
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 741
Likes: 1
From: Woodstock GA
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,692
Likes: 207
From: Loveland, CO
I use the commercial straps that attach to the door frame channel, but this is pretty tippy by itself. I also run straps to the front radiator support and somewhere on the rear to balance out the lift.
The front is particularly fragile without some support during lifting and also once you get it on your dolly.
Good luck. Ralph.
The front is particularly fragile without some support during lifting and also once you get it on your dolly.
Good luck. Ralph.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 227
Likes: 0
From: South East, USA
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 741
Likes: 1
From: Woodstock GA
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,562
Likes: 2
From: Spring Texas
The primary reason people remove the front fenders in a frameoff restoration is to access and repair damage to the birdcage. For me, I removed the fenders (what was left of them) to replace the front end as it had been severely damaged in a wreck. If neither of these things is an issue for you, leave them on.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 741
Likes: 1
From: Woodstock GA
I think the birdcage is in good shape, though there is a little surface rust in the vent area under the dash. Its very minor, and probably due to the leaking t-top seals (replaced by the previous owneer, who also ripped out the carpet). From what I can tell, the car otherwise appears to be rust free and collision free.