Body mount shims
Thread Starter
Account disabled by request 8 Feb 2010
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Body mount shims
I will be putting the the body of my '69 vett back on the frame soon and would like to know how to determine the amount of shims to put on each of the eight body mounts?
Last edited by barbs '69 resto; Mar 29, 2009 at 12:32 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
From: pinehurst nc
I will be interested to see the anwser on this one also as I will be replacing my body on the frame shortly. I know the "book" answer is to count and label the shims as they come off and replace them in the same spot. Another thing I failed to do during disassembly along with labeling bolts and counting/labeling shims on the trailing and control arms.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23,367
Likes: 1,061
From: Virginia USA
I would like to know if there is a safe way to change them with the body still on. I don't plan on taking the body off until I retire (about 15 years away) but I want to change them because they don't look so good.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 2
From: Oak Ridge NC
Thread Starter
Account disabled by request 8 Feb 2010
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
shims
I'm assuming that the factory might have put a set amount of shims on body mounts 2 and 3 maybe 2 a piece on each mount the used a gauge of some sort to measure the height from top of frame to the top of the top shim and added or removed as needed to make them all the same height. Body mounts 1 and 4 could also have a set amount but could be tweaked in after body was installed. In any case this is how I will probably install the shims.
Any comments on this theory would be appreciated.
By the way, I did make note of the amount of shims that were in place when i removed the body but I have reason to believe that Bubba was messing with the shims 35 years ago.
Any comments on this theory would be appreciated.
By the way, I did make note of the amount of shims that were in place when i removed the body but I have reason to believe that Bubba was messing with the shims 35 years ago.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,200
Likes: 4,287
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi B 69 R,
I would put 2 shims on each mount. Set the body and then start to check the gaps on the doors and hood. You can really only 'call it good' after the doors and hood open and close properly and the gaps are acceptable.
The shims on the hood and door hinges have some effect on fit but so the body shims.
Regards,
Alan
I would put 2 shims on each mount. Set the body and then start to check the gaps on the doors and hood. You can really only 'call it good' after the doors and hood open and close properly and the gaps are acceptable.
The shims on the hood and door hinges have some effect on fit but so the body shims.
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by Alan 71; Mar 29, 2009 at 04:52 PM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
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
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
The mount kit that I bought recommended starting with 2 shims per mount and adjusting from there. I was putting the body down on a replacement frame so there was history to the assembly. Much to my suprise the gaps aligned nicely with 2 shims per mount. I did add a 3rd shim to the #4 mount on the pass. side since there was some clearance.
Rick B.
Rick B.
