Body Drop on '65

[Rob M.]

I am finally ready to drop the painted body onto my restored chassis. The chassis is complete and the engine has been test run for 20 minutes. The body is painted, black out done, undercoating complete, engine compartment seals installed, and wire harnesses installed.

My question is what are the common mistakes, should have done's and oh @#*# that you experienced people can comment on. For example, I just figured out that the rear trailing arm front bolts are in the wrong thanks to a recent DB post. Yes, I have the rear shock bolts installed correctly. I don't want to take the body back off for something I forgot and this is my first restoration project.

Thanks for any and all advice.
Rob




My restoration project

[Gary Cederman]

[William V.]

[Kenneth S.]

Re: Body Drop on '65

Here are the body drop sections from my check list. My car is a '63 w/air and the page numbers are from the '63 AIM.

Partial Body Assembly before Body Drop

Right air vent (seal). Pg. 240

A/C housing, engine side (seal). Pg. 242

Transmission heat shield.

Accelerator linkage (seal). Pg. 135

Headlight buckets see notes (lube seals with oil). Pg. 179-180

Body Drop

Remove old radiator support on body.

Remove radiator support assembly on chassis.

Install A/C condenser on radiator support.

Remove temporary electrical system & battery.

Loosen muffler clamps & lower mufflers.

Remove distributor cap.

Fill differential.

Install rubber blocks on rear cross-member.

Install door jam support rods.

Install body on frame, use mounting brackets.

Install all mounting bolts, leave loose, (seal # 3&4 bolts). Pg. 105

Torque mounting bolts from center out, but not radiator support, 40 ft. lbs.