Body Lift Help
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 13,515
Likes: 12
From: Fisher, IL
Body Lift Help
I been informed that to properly fix my body mounts on my 69 coupe i'll need to do a body lift. I have some questions for starters about the easiest method that I'll be able to do it by myself as I have nobody to help.
I was planning on an engine hoist and body straps... But i only have a 9ft ceiling(still possible?)
I've been compiling links to other members restorations/body lifts for ideas and information and so far so good.
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/565523...orvette/page-8
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...checklist.html
http://vettemod.org/index5.html#
http://corvetterepair.com/services/tech-tips/
http://coopersgarage.piczo.com/1973c...linkvar=000044
http://www.corvette-restoration.com/...dy_removal.htm
My interior is already gutted so that's done. I'd like to leave the engine and gas tank in place...
I was planning on an engine hoist and body straps... But i only have a 9ft ceiling(still possible?)
I've been compiling links to other members restorations/body lifts for ideas and information and so far so good.
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/565523...orvette/page-8
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...checklist.html
http://vettemod.org/index5.html#
http://corvetterepair.com/services/tech-tips/
http://coopersgarage.piczo.com/1973c...linkvar=000044
http://www.corvette-restoration.com/...dy_removal.htm
My interior is already gutted so that's done. I'd like to leave the engine and gas tank in place...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 971
Likes: 45
From: Middlesex NJ
My ceiling is only 96"s tall so you have a little more room than me. Its not impossible to do on your own. Really helps to have another set of eyes at least. The gantry crane and body cradle below would be the most reliable and easiest to use by yourself. Still need someone just to keep an eye on you when lift heavy stuff.
I used my cherry picker and made up my own cradle out of wood as the lifting straps I had were way to long. Mind you the wooden cradle was only designed to keep the strap apart and away from the body so they are only dealing with compression loads. It is not lifting the body itself.
Cherry picker body lift
I have since picked up a steel body cradle from accessiblesystems.com and my body strap kit that can be used lift the body all on its own and I use a gantry crane from harbor freight. The gantry crane is too tall for my garage without poking holes into the ceiling (which i will do anyway) but the picture below is from my budys garage where we used it to lift the body. You can use the cradle on the cherry picker as well.
body cradle
I used my cherry picker and made up my own cradle out of wood as the lifting straps I had were way to long. Mind you the wooden cradle was only designed to keep the strap apart and away from the body so they are only dealing with compression loads. It is not lifting the body itself.
Cherry picker body lift
I have since picked up a steel body cradle from accessiblesystems.com and my body strap kit that can be used lift the body all on its own and I use a gantry crane from harbor freight. The gantry crane is too tall for my garage without poking holes into the ceiling (which i will do anyway) but the picture below is from my budys garage where we used it to lift the body. You can use the cradle on the cherry picker as well.
body cradle
Last edited by mysixtynine; Jan 22, 2011 at 01:06 PM.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 13,515
Likes: 12
From: Fisher, IL
Well I started prep for the body lift today.
So far what's done:
-Interior is gutted(seats, carpet, console, steering wheel...)
-hood is off
-front bumper and grille removed
-radiator removed
-master cylinder lines disconnected
I'm going to need some help with descriptions of parts as I don't know what they look like and they're telling me to take them off... maybe they're not for my year car and that's why i'm confused. If anyone has a photo of any of these that would be awesome.
-Clutch Rod Wire Clip(supposed to be under the master cylinder...?)
-Back-up Light Plug(supposed to be behind the distributor...but so are a billion other plugs)
-Accelerator Rod and Ground Strap(is the rod necessary for a body lift? or did they throw that in for a engine lift as well?)
So far what's done:
-Interior is gutted(seats, carpet, console, steering wheel...)
-hood is off
-front bumper and grille removed
-radiator removed
-master cylinder lines disconnected
I'm going to need some help with descriptions of parts as I don't know what they look like and they're telling me to take them off... maybe they're not for my year car and that's why i'm confused. If anyone has a photo of any of these that would be awesome.
-Clutch Rod Wire Clip(supposed to be under the master cylinder...?)
-Back-up Light Plug(supposed to be behind the distributor...but so are a billion other plugs)
-Accelerator Rod and Ground Strap(is the rod necessary for a body lift? or did they throw that in for a engine lift as well?)
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,235
Likes: 4,325
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi pv,
I'll take the back-up light connection.
Find the switch on the transmission and follow it under/through the tunnel and up the engine side of the firewall. You'll come to a plug-connection that allows the switch to stay on the transmission when you lift the body.
Regards,
Alan
Now the clutch rod clip.
The clutch rod comes through the firewall under the master cylinder. It connects to the z-bar that goes across the frame and then down to the clutch arm. The clip holds the rod that comes through the firewall to the z-bar.
I'll take the back-up light connection.
Find the switch on the transmission and follow it under/through the tunnel and up the engine side of the firewall. You'll come to a plug-connection that allows the switch to stay on the transmission when you lift the body.
Regards,
Alan
Now the clutch rod clip.
The clutch rod comes through the firewall under the master cylinder. It connects to the z-bar that goes across the frame and then down to the clutch arm. The clip holds the rod that comes through the firewall to the z-bar.
Last edited by Alan 71; Jan 22, 2011 at 06:03 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 4
From: Concord Calif
My ceiling is only 96"s tall so you have a little more room than me. Its not impossible to do on your own. Really helps to have another set of eyes at least. The gantry crane and body cradle below would be the most reliable and easiest to use by yourself. Still need someone just to keep an eye on you when lift heavy stuff.
I used my cherry picker and made up my own cradle out of wood as the lifting straps I had were way to long. Mind you the wooden cradle was only designed to keep the strap apart and away from the body so they are only dealing with compression loads. It is not lifting the body itself.
Cherry picker body lift
I have since picked up a steel body cradle from accessiblesystems.com and my body strap kit that can be used lift the body all on its own and I use a gantry crane from harbor freight. The gantry crane is too tall for my garage without poking holes into the ceiling (which i will do anyway) but the picture below is from my budys garage where we used it to lift the body. You can use the cradle on the cherry picker as well.
body cradle
I used my cherry picker and made up my own cradle out of wood as the lifting straps I had were way to long. Mind you the wooden cradle was only designed to keep the strap apart and away from the body so they are only dealing with compression loads. It is not lifting the body itself.
Cherry picker body lift
I have since picked up a steel body cradle from accessiblesystems.com and my body strap kit that can be used lift the body all on its own and I use a gantry crane from harbor freight. The gantry crane is too tall for my garage without poking holes into the ceiling (which i will do anyway) but the picture below is from my budys garage where we used it to lift the body. You can use the cradle on the cherry picker as well.
body cradle
It's great when people come up and find a way to do something that most would say it won't work. Looks close in there but looks good!!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,209
Likes: 33
From: Texas-out west
disconnect anything connected to body, get 4 buddies to provide support to front end(2) and other 2 to help you (1 to work lifting mechanism) and you and other to watch for things that might snag....go slow and watch front end as it is heavy and only glassed to main body and can and has broke on some
good luck, again TAKE YOUR TIME
good luck, again TAKE YOUR TIME
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 13,515
Likes: 12
From: Fisher, IL
disconnect anything connected to body, get 4 buddies to provide support to front end(2) and other 2 to help you (1 to work lifting mechanism) and you and other to watch for things that might snag....go slow and watch front end as it is heavy and only glassed to main body and can and has broke on some good luck, again TAKE YOUR TIME
good luck, again TAKE YOUR TIMEThis will be by myself most likely or possibly one other.
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Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 13,515
Likes: 12
From: Fisher, IL
looks like bubba has been messing with my rear bumper.
This is what they call the valance right? well he glassed and painted over it so i'm having a hard time figuring out a way to get the thing off without damaging it too much.(even though it doesn't need to come off I don't think.
He also broke the fiberglass when he was messing with the bumper as both sides looked like this without me needing to loosen them...
But i'm gaining progress on the car...
I'm going to be gone all week for work but would still love any information that can help. type of engine hoist? Do i need the load leveler or will that take up too much of my height i'm limited with? should I buy the premade straps for the corvette lift and knot them to size or just use my tie down straps?
I can put a hole in the ceiling like the photos above but don't have the metal cradle to use and it's a rental house so i'd have to fix what i destroy...
This is what they call the valance right? well he glassed and painted over it so i'm having a hard time figuring out a way to get the thing off without damaging it too much.(even though it doesn't need to come off I don't think.
He also broke the fiberglass when he was messing with the bumper as both sides looked like this without me needing to loosen them...
But i'm gaining progress on the car...
I'm going to be gone all week for work but would still love any information that can help. type of engine hoist? Do i need the load leveler or will that take up too much of my height i'm limited with? should I buy the premade straps for the corvette lift and knot them to size or just use my tie down straps?
I can put a hole in the ceiling like the photos above but don't have the metal cradle to use and it's a rental house so i'd have to fix what i destroy...
Racer
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 495
Likes: 5
From: Lexington KY
I used a Harbor Freight engine hoist in my garage with 8 foot ceilings. A leveler may help as the front strap is a little tricky. I didn't use one, but I was a little worried that the straps might slip. I used the same checklist everyone seems to use (meant for C2's). I obviously found some stuff that wasn't listed, but it was minimal. Just lift a little at a time and keep checking for things you may have missed.
You can do it by yourself, but I had 1 other buddy help.
Good luck!
You can do it by yourself, but I had 1 other buddy help.
Good luck!
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 13,515
Likes: 12
From: Fisher, IL
I'm trying to figure out what type of engine hoist to buy or look for used.
Seems like i'll need probably a 2ton even though a 1 ton would most likely do it.
But should I stay away from the folding types?
Is there a boom length or height I should be looking for?
Obviously if it doesn't lift high enough or extend far enough it's not going to work... I'm just trying to figure out what those numbers are and what I should buy...
Seems like i'll need probably a 2ton even though a 1 ton would most likely do it.
But should I stay away from the folding types?
Is there a boom length or height I should be looking for?
Obviously if it doesn't lift high enough or extend far enough it's not going to work... I'm just trying to figure out what those numbers are and what I should buy...
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,235
Likes: 4,325
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi PV,
You asked three questions yesterday and I answered two of them; did you see my post?
What you're seeing on the valance is what was often done when a car was changed from under-car exhaust to side-exhaust. If you look on the back side of the valance you should be able to see the 'patch' and then you'll know where to cut.
The broken fiberglass at the side bolt of rear bumper is pretty common (though yours is a unusually big hole) because until late 71 and into 72 there was no bracket for the bolt on the back side so the washer that was used was too big and broke the fiberglass around the hole if over tightened. A pretty easy repair.
Regards,
Alan
You asked three questions yesterday and I answered two of them; did you see my post?
What you're seeing on the valance is what was often done when a car was changed from under-car exhaust to side-exhaust. If you look on the back side of the valance you should be able to see the 'patch' and then you'll know where to cut.
The broken fiberglass at the side bolt of rear bumper is pretty common (though yours is a unusually big hole) because until late 71 and into 72 there was no bracket for the bolt on the back side so the washer that was used was too big and broke the fiberglass around the hole if over tightened. A pretty easy repair.
Regards,
Alan
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 13,515
Likes: 12
From: Fisher, IL
Hi PV,
You asked three questions yesterday and I answered two of them; did you see my post?
What you're seeing on the valance is what was often done when a car was changed from under-car exhaust to side-exhaust. If you look on the back side of the valance you should be able to see the 'patch' and then you'll know where to cut.
The broken fiberglass at the side bolt of rear bumper is pretty common (though yours is a unusually big hole) because until late 71 and into 72 there was no bracket for the bolt on the back side so the washer that was used was too big and broke the fiberglass around the hole if over tightened. A pretty easy repair.
Regards,
Alan
You asked three questions yesterday and I answered two of them; did you see my post?
What you're seeing on the valance is what was often done when a car was changed from under-car exhaust to side-exhaust. If you look on the back side of the valance you should be able to see the 'patch' and then you'll know where to cut.
The broken fiberglass at the side bolt of rear bumper is pretty common (though yours is a unusually big hole) because until late 71 and into 72 there was no bracket for the bolt on the back side so the washer that was used was too big and broke the fiberglass around the hole if over tightened. A pretty easy repair.
Regards,
Alan
I think I was confused about the cluck rod clip as a clip to me sounds like a wire clip. But if they're talking about the rod where it intersects to the Z bar I know that and can easily take that off.
i'm sourcing a hoist on craigslist this morning so i haven't been our to look for the tail light plug.
the hoist on Craigslist look like wan2run's. Most likely a harbor freight model. 2 ton folding type for $100 that isn't too far from me so i think that's what I'll get for now..
and the vanance is globed on the back with excess glass so there isn't much i can see with that...i'll just have to go slow and heat gun it while i peal it away
Last edited by PUNISHER VETTE; Jan 23, 2011 at 12:05 PM.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 13,515
Likes: 12
From: Fisher, IL
http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/tls/2175414530.html
he said he leveler was a mistake and it's $100 for the hoist only...
think it'll do the trick?
he said he leveler was a mistake and it's $100 for the hoist only...
think it'll do the trick?
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,683
Likes: 202
From: Waterford Mi
I placed a beam; two 2x6's nailed together, across the rafters in my garage. One end su8pported by the end wall, the other end I supported with a 4x4. Then I used a come-a-long to do the lifting. I also used a second come-a-long to lift the nose. I was able to do the lifting by myself from the attic area. The lift straps I bought from Vette Products of Michigan.
The one thing you need to check is the condition of the rocker channels. If I had looked closer I would not have used the hooks on them but would have wrapped the straps together under the body. My rockers were very rusty and they did bend a little from the lifting. Fortunately they held and the body did not drop.
The one thing you need to check is the condition of the rocker channels. If I had looked closer I would not have used the hooks on them but would have wrapped the straps together under the body. My rockers were very rusty and they did bend a little from the lifting. Fortunately they held and the body did not drop.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 13,515
Likes: 12
From: Fisher, IL
I placed a beam; two 2x6's nailed together, across the rafters in my garage. One end su8pported by the end wall, the other end I supported with a 4x4. Then I used a come-a-long to do the lifting. I also used a second come-a-long to lift the nose. I was able to do the lifting by myself from the attic area. The lift straps I bought from Vette Products of Michigan.
The one thing you need to check is the condition of the rocker channels. If I had looked closer I would not have used the hooks on them but would have wrapped the straps together under the body. My rockers were very rusty and they did bend a little from the lifting. Fortunately they held and the body did not drop.
The one thing you need to check is the condition of the rocker channels. If I had looked closer I would not have used the hooks on them but would have wrapped the straps together under the body. My rockers were very rusty and they did bend a little from the lifting. Fortunately they held and the body did not drop.
I ended up getting the engine hoist off craigslist from a nice guy locally so hopefully it'll work out.
Last edited by PUNISHER VETTE; Jan 23, 2011 at 04:09 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,570
Likes: 1
From: Algonac Michigan
The lift you have will work fine.
I did a complete body off resto on my '69 by myself with 8' ceilings in my garage.
If you take your time and have a plan you will find that there is not much you can't do yourself.
Good Luck and I will be looking forward to your progress.
I did a complete body off resto on my '69 by myself with 8' ceilings in my garage.
If you take your time and have a plan you will find that there is not much you can't do yourself.
Good Luck and I will be looking forward to your progress.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,236
Likes: 898
From: Myrtle Beach SC
I used a Harbor Freight engine hoist in my garage with 8 foot ceilings. A leveler may help as the front strap is a little tricky. I didn't use one, but I was a little worried that the straps might slip. I used the same checklist everyone seems to use (meant for C2's). I obviously found some stuff that wasn't listed, but it was minimal. Just lift a little at a time and keep checking for things you may have missed.
You can do it by yourself, but I had 1 other buddy help.
You can do it by yourself, but I had 1 other buddy help.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 495
Likes: 5
From: Lexington KY
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 24,160
Likes: 78