Project Vettefinders 79 needs some help
Thread Starter
Platinum Supporting Dealership
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 6,425
Likes: 1
From: Traveling the US
Project Vettefinders 79 needs some help
We're getting close to being ready to remove the body. Three of the body mount bolts appears to have broken the nuts free from the cases. How can I bust off those bolts? Two of the three are the ones in front of the rear wheels, and the other one is the driver's side one inside the kick panel.
I was lucky with my 78 and didn't have this problem.
Air chisel?
I was lucky with my 78 and didn't have this problem.
Air chisel?
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,502
Likes: 0
From: Elyria Ohio
Re: Project Vettefinders 79 needs some help (Chris@VetteFinders)
I pounded mine upward that bent the nut holder enough to get the nut and bolt out. Mine did not have the nut holder in the kick panels. It was not an easy job getting the brken ones out. I did not chop any of the holders up though.
Bob
Bob
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Re: Project Vettefinders 79 needs some help (76 Red)
Your best bet on those is to use an air powered die grinder with a quality
rotary file end - or stones - to grind the head off the bolt.
A dremel tool will do it - but the going is slow.
A 3" air powered cut-off tool might fit in the kick panel area, but not the #3s.
If you remove the bonded fiberglass panel just front of the rear wheels, you
might be able to get into the nut/bracket area enough to chisel off the bracket.
It sounds like you need to take 'em off to repair them - anyway.
Here is my 75 with the FG panel removed - and the rocker channel, too!
[Modified by NHvette, 5:53 PM 1/20/2003]
rotary file end - or stones - to grind the head off the bolt.
A dremel tool will do it - but the going is slow.
A 3" air powered cut-off tool might fit in the kick panel area, but not the #3s.
If you remove the bonded fiberglass panel just front of the rear wheels, you
might be able to get into the nut/bracket area enough to chisel off the bracket.
It sounds like you need to take 'em off to repair them - anyway.
Here is my 75 with the FG panel removed - and the rocker channel, too!
[Modified by NHvette, 5:53 PM 1/20/2003]
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Greer SC
Re: Project Vettefinders 79 needs some help (Chris@VetteFinders)
For the ones in front of the rear wheels, I used a bent-up hack-saw blade with a metal handle. I was able to snake the blade through the access hole and under the bolt head, then spent a few hours cutting.
You'll need a sharp (new) blade, some cutting fluid, and lots of patience. I went this route because I couldn't get the die grinder or cut-off wheel into the access hole.
The blade holder really made the job go easily, and the second one only took half the time of the first one. I had trouble with 6 of the 8 bolts. The heads broke off two, I cut the heads off of two more, and used a reciprocating saw on the rear two.
You'll need a sharp (new) blade, some cutting fluid, and lots of patience. I went this route because I couldn't get the die grinder or cut-off wheel into the access hole.
The blade holder really made the job go easily, and the second one only took half the time of the first one. I had trouble with 6 of the 8 bolts. The heads broke off two, I cut the heads off of two more, and used a reciprocating saw on the rear two.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 1,892
Likes: 0
From: St. Petersburg FL
Re: Project Vettefinders 79 needs some help (Chris@VetteFinders)
How about a "nut breaker"...Here's one on E-bay!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...&category=6754
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...&category=6754
