Removing 1964 Body Mount Bolts

[Katrina LaRocque]

Help!! I'm trying to remove the body of my 1964 Corvette Coupe and, not surprisingly, am having problems with some of the body mount bolts (they are very rusty). They are either totally seized (and yes I've drowned them in Release-All) or the case nut has broke loose. I've ready every publication there is and not one says what you're supposed to do when you just can't get them out. Cutting them off doesn't seem likely due to space limitations. I'm sure I'm not alone in having this happen so I would appreciate any help you can give me.

Thanks!!

Katrina

[Mike M.]

Re: Removing 1964 Body Mount Bolts

l'm afraid you'll have to get out the hot wrench. oxy-acetylene torch. be careful. it's been done before. mike

[Ray C.]

Re: Removing 1964 Body Mount Bolts

I applied penetrating oil every night for over two weeks. I then used an impact wrench on hi setting. I tightened the bolts and then loosened the bolts and continued this process until they broke loose or twisted off. I am getting ready to take the body of my 63 SWC, and I hope this process works again.

Ray

[`Michael Southard]

Re: Removing 1964 Body Mount Bolts

Ray,
I just finished going through this, though I only had one frozen, The driver side rear mount. The nut ended up spinning within the captivation bracket. So the only option was to cut the bolt between the body and the mount. I first tried to grind the nut from inside, but there was not enough room.

My recip saw would have worked just fine but I didn't have my long blade. I did have a hack saw blade with one of those chintzy handles that lets you extend the blade out like a recip saw. Very small. Took about 15 minutes because the strokes were so short, but I got it.

Then got out my dremel with cutting grinder and carefully ground the rivet heads off the bracket from inside the veh. and was able to lift off the bracket and the defective nut. I just have to find another bracket like that one now!!!

The recip saw would work on the other mount bolts if you had the long blade so it will bend to give you room for the tool.
Mike S.

[Mike M.]

Re: Removing 1964 Body Mount Bolts

mike: i believe long island corv has the cage you need. mike

[`Michael Southard]

Re: Removing 1964 Body Mount Bolts

I get 9 out of 10 of my questions answered just reading other posts, then when answering a post for some one else...I get the other question answered!!!

Can't beat that, awsome site!
Thakes, Mike S.

[Dick W.]

Re: Removing 1964 Body Mount Bolts

To me, this site, next to the camaradie and friends that I have made through being involved with NCRS, is the best benefit of my membership. Where else can you help your fellow Corvette enthusiast, get help with your own technical difficulties or questions, and just share knowledge in general. You have the knowledge of some very sharp retired GM employees, knowledgeable restorers and hobbiests, and others with a very keen interest in the cars. How many thousand man-years of experience and knowledge do we have here? I am a reader/contributor to several other automotive techinical boards, but the information here is just mind-boggling. Ask a serious question and in a few hours you will have many good answers.

Again, Good Cars, Good Friends, and Good Times....That is what NCRS is about!

[`Michael Southard]

No Kidding!

I have learned more in the last 4 weeks here on this site, as I have in the last 20 years of owning my car!

[Donald W.]

Re: No Kidding!

I replaced all the body mounts on my 67 around 2 years ago and only had the one behind the drivers door(behind the access panel in the fender well)give me a rough time. Also would like to thank all the fellow corvette owners and auto buffs that answer our questions, i've owned several classic cars in my lifetime, but being involved in the corvette car krazy group is the best yet.

Thanks again,
Don

[`Michael Southard]

Re: Removing 1964 Body Mount Bolts

Katrina,
I actually answered Ray by mistake, my post was for your problem. I just got to reading his post and "SWC" got stuck in my mind because that's what I'm working on, and I hit response to him. Sorry!
Mike S.

[Chuck R.]

Re: Removing 1964 Body Mount Bolts

Other than both #1 mount bolts, I had to cut off the remaining #2 through #4 bolts.

I attacked my bolts with my trusty pneumatic die grinder going after the bolt heads at 10,000 rpms.

The die grinder allowed me to use a 4" cut off wheel and as it got smaller from use, it become easier and easier to handle inside the #2 and #3 mount pockets. The 4" wheel afforde me a longer effort at the bolt head before the enevitable "Nothing left but nub"

When you get to the #4 mounts IF you elect to go this route, take your time and grind them down taking frequent breaks so that you don't melt the riveted mount off of the body. The sawzall might get you out of trouble on these as you can at least see the underside of the mount.

There obviously was a ton of sparks so gloves, long sleeves, safety glasses and hearing protection was a must!

Took a little time, but they were all gone within an evenings work.

I was then able to pull the body and attack the bolt remnants at my pleasure.

Hope you get them out one way or another.

Regards,

Chuck