Body Bolt Techniques
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 763
Likes: 42
From: Detroit MI
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10
Body Bolt Techniques
Hello All,
I am currently in the process of prepping my '70 for removing the body from the chassis. I have read over many previous threads concerning rocker panels and rust and the jury is still out on my car. Either way, I will deal with it once the body is off. So far I have encountered a fairly large amount of flaking but no real rot-through.
Anyhow, this question goes out to everyone who has pulled their body.
What techniques have you used to undo the body bolts located through the rear access panel as well as the front kick panel? I believe these are referred to as mounts two and three.
Break the head off with big wrench?
Grind off head with die grinder?
The very front and rear appear fully exposed and don't pose as much of a challenge as the center four.
Thanks for any advice. I'm sure I will receive different opinions which is what I am looking for.
I am currently in the process of prepping my '70 for removing the body from the chassis. I have read over many previous threads concerning rocker panels and rust and the jury is still out on my car. Either way, I will deal with it once the body is off. So far I have encountered a fairly large amount of flaking but no real rot-through.
Anyhow, this question goes out to everyone who has pulled their body.
What techniques have you used to undo the body bolts located through the rear access panel as well as the front kick panel? I believe these are referred to as mounts two and three.
Break the head off with big wrench?
Grind off head with die grinder?
The very front and rear appear fully exposed and don't pose as much of a challenge as the center four.
Thanks for any advice. I'm sure I will receive different opinions which is what I am looking for.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,008
Likes: 38
From: Space Coast Gator Territory
I was lucky and only had one #3 bolt that would not come apart. I could not break it and couldn't get a saw blade on it, so I used the acetelene-oxy torch. First, I packed a thin wet cotton barrier in front of which I placed a piece of aluminum roof flashing to shield the torch heat. With a fire extinguisher nearby, I blew off the frozen nut and extinguished the fire. After everything cooled, I vacuumed the powder and inspected for damage. Everything looked good and the body was free to come off. Before you put a wrench on your bolts, I would recommend putting several applications of a good penetrating oil like Kroil. Take your time and plan with good wrenches for gripping the rusted bolts and you might get lucky. The #4 bolts are usually a challenge as well.
If your rocker screws are broke off in the threads, you might check out the thread kits. You will need to drill out a 1/2 inch hole where the rusted threads are located and insert a brass sleve provided in the kit. It comes with everything you need to mount the rockers. The job is easier with the body off IMO. I think Zip sells the "Rocker Mounting Kit" about $23.
Have fun in your restoration.
If your rocker screws are broke off in the threads, you might check out the thread kits. You will need to drill out a 1/2 inch hole where the rusted threads are located and insert a brass sleve provided in the kit. It comes with everything you need to mount the rockers. The job is easier with the body off IMO. I think Zip sells the "Rocker Mounting Kit" about $23.
Have fun in your restoration.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 653
Likes: 0
From: Dickinson (Houston) Texas
The only problem bolt I had was one of the #4's. I just used a drimmel to saw the bolt in half. There was not much room to work on it from the top, so I sawed the shank in half from underneath.
The #2s and #3s came out fairly easily, but I did use a long shaft ratchet to help break them loose. Also, I soaked them all with air tool oil for a day or so before I tried to break them loose.
www.bigdogvettes.com
The #2s and #3s came out fairly easily, but I did use a long shaft ratchet to help break them loose. Also, I soaked them all with air tool oil for a day or so before I tried to break them loose.
www.bigdogvettes.com
Pro
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 692
Likes: 69
From: Juneau AK
My #4's were both froze up.
Matchframe is right on with his "soak'em" suggestion. Get some kind of penetrating oil on them and then remember to rap them on the head of the bolt with a hammer just before you start trying to ratchet them off.
Even with that done I ended up twisting the bolt in half on one of mine.
Good Luck,
kdlp
Matchframe is right on with his "soak'em" suggestion. Get some kind of penetrating oil on them and then remember to rap them on the head of the bolt with a hammer just before you start trying to ratchet them off.Even with that done I ended up twisting the bolt in half on one of mine.
Good Luck,
kdlp
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Originally Posted by stpman
I had to use a die grinder on my #2 & 3 Mounts and an angle grinder for the #1 & 4 mounts on my 73
Steve
Steve
If they won't spin out after soaking and getting a wrenchon 'em - then start grinding the head off.
USE A SIX (6) POINT SOCKET !!!! Don't waste your time with a 12-pt.
Even if they do turn - it is a pain, as you can only get 1 'click' on the
ratchet with the limited space. An air ratchet would be handy, once
they break free. Wish I had one back when I pulled mine from the 70.
Good luck.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 763
Likes: 42
From: Detroit MI
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10
Thanks to everyone for these suggestions. This forum is great. I am very glad Al Gore invented the Internet!
I will keep everyone posted on my progress. Right now, each bolt is getting a shot of Kroil on a nightly basis for at least a couple of weeks.
I will keep everyone posted on my progress. Right now, each bolt is getting a shot of Kroil on a nightly basis for at least a couple of weeks.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
I've heard that Kroil is about the best penetrant available but it can be hard to find. Eastwood sells it, but I have never seen it in auto parts stores. My personal favorite is PB Blaster, which is available at AutoZone. So far I have only run into 1 or 2 bolts that PB wouldn't free up, and those were so corroded that there was no hope.
If I'm going to be working on a fairly rusty bolt (if the car is more than a couple of years old here in New England there is no other kind) I start spraying the bolt/nut with PB every day for about a week. The rusty bolts usually come out pretty easily at that point.
Rick B
If I'm going to be working on a fairly rusty bolt (if the car is more than a couple of years old here in New England there is no other kind) I start spraying the bolt/nut with PB every day for about a week. The rusty bolts usually come out pretty easily at that point.
Rick B
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,008
Likes: 38
From: Space Coast Gator Territory
This is where I buy my Kroil and it is currently on sale. As you can see, it has more than one use.
http://www.midwayusa.com/midwayusa/a...gin+Search.y=8
http://www.midwayusa.com/midwayusa/a...gin+Search.y=8
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: Austin Texas
Body off
Chances are if the bolts are really badly rusted the heads will snap off with an air compressor wrench. I did need to cut the head off one body mount bolt in the rear as the nut welded to the body had rusted loose. If you need to replace the rocker channels let me know. I just did it several months ago and have some pics.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 763
Likes: 42
From: Detroit MI
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10
Originally Posted by MKearney
Chances are if the bolts are really badly rusted the heads will snap off with an air compressor wrench. I did need to cut the head off one body mount bolt in the rear as the nut welded to the body had rusted loose. If you need to replace the rocker channels let me know. I just did it several months ago and have some pics.
If you posted images of your rocker channel replacement, I would love to see them if its not much effort.
Tom
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,685
Likes: 202
From: Waterford Mi
Originally Posted by gearheaddroppings
I think that you are right. I am soaking them for a couple of weeks. Maybe I will have some luck.
If you posted images of your rocker channel replacement, I would love to see them if its not much effort.
Tom
If you posted images of your rocker channel replacement, I would love to see them if its not much effort.
Tom
Body-Off