Removing front end
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 156
Likes: 2
From: collingswood nj
Removing front end
How hard is it to remove the front end from the car i have a 1976. Not sure how far to take the rebuild i have the engine and trans out front supension out and sterring out and the interior is gutted out removing the front end end would make it easier to clean up the front frame.This all started cause i was blowing a little smoke and wanted to rebuild the engine which bubba before me put a big block 454 in so while the motor was out good time for end front end parts then steering you guys know how it goes then i didnt like the way bubba did the interior so im redoing that. Guess since i went this far im asking can i remove the front end with out to much trouble ?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Taking the front end off would, in my opinion, be more work than lifting the whole body off. Sounds like you are already to a point where lifting off the body wouldn't be too much more work at all.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
A couple straps, disconnecting everything holding the body to the frame, a hoist, maybe some friends, and something to put the body onto while you work on the frame.
Stinger12 has some plans for a very good body dolly to set the body on, which mobilizes it and makes it easy to not only work on the frame, but the underside of the body while it's on the dolly.
Do a few searched for Frame Off and you'll see that you're really close to the place you need to be to just pull that body off.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
From: Navarre Florida
My front end is really easy to work on now.
I agree with DB, you are so close to lifting the body off WHY NOT! Plus, you can really check things out better not having to look around things. This was my first time lifting a body off. It was not as hard as I thought it was going to be. I have a hoist mounted in the ceiling of my workshop that I used, but there are many different ways to get the body off.
Make sure that you track the shims under the body mounts. It will help when it goes back togather.
Grant
I agree with DB, you are so close to lifting the body off WHY NOT! Plus, you can really check things out better not having to look around things. This was my first time lifting a body off. It was not as hard as I thought it was going to be. I have a hoist mounted in the ceiling of my workshop that I used, but there are many different ways to get the body off.
Make sure that you track the shims under the body mounts. It will help when it goes back togather.
Grant
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 267
From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
I would much rather do a body lift vs. removing the front clip.
Off is fairly easy, getting it back on in the correct location is Not easy !
69VETT
Off is fairly easy, getting it back on in the correct location is Not easy !
69VETT
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Noland Adams has a C2 body lift how-to video and workbook. It's C2, but is applicable to C3s.
My advice is not to remove the front clip if you don't have to. Leave well enough alone.
My advice is not to remove the front clip if you don't have to. Leave well enough alone.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,128
Likes: 21
From: North Alabama
I remember getting this far with the 71 I had. Body was off the next week
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: Baton Rouge Louisiana
I went to replace the passenger side courtesy bulb and noticed the previous owner had cut up the electrical harness and connected wire back together by twisting it and putting masking tape to hold it together. It's a wonder the car didn't burn up. Well it wasn't long
before the whole car was apart....... all due to a light bulb.
You will feel a whole lot better about a 30 year old car if you know every inch of it.
Hey, bubba aint got nuthin on a Coonass on a budget.