How do I take the body off?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
How do I take the body off?
I just purchased an 81 Corvette that is in need of some serious help. I am pretty much a beginner when it comes to working on cars. Can anyone tell me how to take the body off the chassis so I can have access to work on just the chassis?
Here is a picture of where I am at so far:
http://www.greenapple.com/~henderson...k%20Driver.JPG
Oh yeah, and I could also use some tips on good books to buy.
Thanks
Here is a picture of where I am at so far:
http://www.greenapple.com/~henderson...k%20Driver.JPG
Oh yeah, and I could also use some tips on good books to buy.
Thanks
Last edited by GnDn; Sep 23, 2004 at 09:17 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,625
Likes: 0
From: Cut n Shoot TX
Originally Posted by GnDn
I just purchased an 81 Corvette that is in need of some serious help. I am pretty much a beginner when it comes to working on cars. Can anyone tell me how to take the body off the chassis so I can have access to work on just the chassis?
That really is no job for a beginner!!!
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 252
Likes: 0
From: Shawnee KS
There's lots on the forum already about this topic so I would do some searching but here's a quick overview of what you'll have to unhook.
http://hometown.aol.com/bmclau5079/page5.html
http://hometown.aol.com/bmclau5079/page5.html
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 14,382
Likes: 6,401
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
Here are the detailed steps we use in the CCC (The Colorado Corvette Crazies - the Ultimate Corvette Tuning and Beer Drinking Fraternity):
1. Get the guys together and have a couple of Bloody Marys for breakfast.
2. Drink two beer chasers.
3. Unbolt the body.
4. Have 2 beers.
5. Spend 30 minutes trying to get the drunken idiots to divide into 2 even groups, one on each side of the car, without anyone taking a potty break from all the beer.
6. Take the body off and set it on the body dolly.
7. Send the most sober guy to the liquor store for more beer.
8. Drink the beer and smoke cigars.
9. Get chewed out by ticked off wives for being drunk and smelling like cigars.
The last one we did took about 50 minutes to pull the body off the frame and set it aside. We then spent 8 hours on the other operations...
1. Get the guys together and have a couple of Bloody Marys for breakfast.
2. Drink two beer chasers.
3. Unbolt the body.
4. Have 2 beers.
5. Spend 30 minutes trying to get the drunken idiots to divide into 2 even groups, one on each side of the car, without anyone taking a potty break from all the beer.
6. Take the body off and set it on the body dolly.
7. Send the most sober guy to the liquor store for more beer.
8. Drink the beer and smoke cigars.
9. Get chewed out by ticked off wives for being drunk and smelling like cigars.
The last one we did took about 50 minutes to pull the body off the frame and set it aside. We then spent 8 hours on the other operations...
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,943
Likes: 44
From: Florham Park NJ Port Credit Ontario
I agree with Lars, except they should be Cuban cigars. You cant have an event like a body-off resto and smoke a Swisher Sweet!
Seriously though, there's only 8 bolts holding the body on. Youve done a ton of work already, why not go all the way!
Seriously though, there's only 8 bolts holding the body on. Youve done a ton of work already, why not go all the way!
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Why does the body have to come off the frame? From what I can see, it otherwise looks pretty straight. My advice would be not to underttake the operation without doing your Corvette homework. There are several existing reference publications available through the aftermarket providers which explain the process. Look before you leap.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
The reason for taking the body off is to try to stop the frame from rusting. It is only surface rust that I can see, but I don't want to leave it untreated. I agree with your theory look before you leap, but do you have any suggestions on some books I can buy?
Oh and by the way, what do you think of my garage? I built it myself!
Oh and by the way, what do you think of my garage? I built it myself!
Last edited by GnDn; Sep 23, 2004 at 01:12 PM.
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Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 4,269
Likes: 3
From: St. Charles IL
Cruise-In 5-6-7-8-9-11-12 Veteran
A CI-6 Car Show Winner
Suggest you use straps that go under the body, pick it as close to each door jamb as you can. I would not trust the lifting strap kits that hook into the rocker channels unless you are 100 percent certain the rocker channels are not rusted out. Serious body damage can result. Be certain to provide some support under the nose once the body is off, leaving the radiator support in place will help strengthen the nose and provide a good place to add support.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,614
Likes: 7
From: South Florida
Where do you live?
I just did mine two weeks ago. There are more than just eight bolts. There also is:
ebrake cable (3-4 different bolts and nuts)
steering linkage
antenna ground strap
coil wiring
front bumper brackets (multiple attachments)
then the 8 body bolts
This is for a 69 btw.
Nolland Adams has a tape which is a good guide once you get past the fact that he makes annoying comments about unrelated corvette facts and the poor editing quality of the tape.
Record your shim placement for when you put it back together.
Get/make a body dolly to put the body on (this is a really good thing to have.)
I just did mine two weeks ago. There are more than just eight bolts. There also is:
ebrake cable (3-4 different bolts and nuts)
steering linkage
antenna ground strap
coil wiring
front bumper brackets (multiple attachments)
then the 8 body bolts
This is for a 69 btw.
Nolland Adams has a tape which is a good guide once you get past the fact that he makes annoying comments about unrelated corvette facts and the poor editing quality of the tape.
Record your shim placement for when you put it back together.
Get/make a body dolly to put the body on (this is a really good thing to have.)
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 4,269
Likes: 3
From: St. Charles IL
Cruise-In 5-6-7-8-9-11-12 Veteran
A CI-6 Car Show Winner
Link to body dolly plans, found at the C3 Vette Registry site:
http://www.direclynx.net/~cthulhu/co...sc/c3dolly.pdf
You might want to double check the width, the guy that came up with these plans said it was about 1 inch too narrow, and had to make some quick modifications to get it to work for his car.
http://www.direclynx.net/~cthulhu/co...sc/c3dolly.pdf
You might want to double check the width, the guy that came up with these plans said it was about 1 inch too narrow, and had to make some quick modifications to get it to work for his car.
Last edited by Big Fish; Sep 23, 2004 at 10:12 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 2,461
Likes: 354
From: Madison Alabama
You are one ambitious beginner…good luck…I’ll be watching your future post. Any details on your car…notice it has the T-top carrier holes on the rear deck. Oh, and your garage is good to go…for now, might get a little chilly in Ohio in the coming months…
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
Originally Posted by Caphie
Where is "near" Columbus? I live in Wooster. I, too, am a beginner and am always watching for another enthusiast nearby. I'd love to learn on someone else's car. 
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
Originally Posted by 2TONE82
You are one ambitious beginner…good luck…I’ll be watching your future post. Any details on your car…notice it has the T-top carrier holes on the rear deck. Oh, and your garage is good to go…for now, might get a little chilly in Ohio in the coming months…
http://www.greenapple.com/~hendersond/corvette/
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
From: McKinney TX
The only way to learn how to work on your car is to get a good service manual, a factory assembly manual, some good tools and dive in. I would have liked to have learned on a Vette, but my 68 Chevelle was more in line with my budget back in the early 70's. Taking lots of pics will come in handy when it's time for it all to go back together, but a factory assembly manual is the best reference. Develop a plan and do your best to stick to it. Good luck working on it in the winter. 
