Best Way to Lift Body Off 63 Roadster

[Larry M.]

I need some advice on lifting the body off of the 63 vette roadster that I am restoring. I have a body sling with metal J hooks at the bottom which attach to the body under both doors. However, the back end of the roadster seems to have lots of flex to it. Do I need to support the back end of the roadster as the body is lifted off? Also the front clip is off of the car and a new one will be put on as soon as the body is put back on.

Any advice is greatly appreciated and thanks beforehand to your responses.

LMa1939@aol.com (email)

[Paul Reynolds]

Re: Best Way to Lift Body Off 63 Roadster

Yes, supporting the back half is a good idea. I ran a couple of adjustable straps from the lifting sling to the back of the body. Protect the taillight panel with a board wrapped in a towel, so the straps don't deform the fiberglas where they go from the horizontal to the vertical. There's a lot of weight back there.

[mike cobine]

Re: Best Way to Lift Body Off 63 Roadster

Many people bolt a brace across the door opening when lifting a convertible body. I think they bolt to the upper door hinge and the convertible top mounting.

Using straps on the rear clip could cause cracks because the straps are not solid and stretch at different loads, so the rear clip could sag slightly and you never notice. Then again, pulling the rearmost straps tighter to prevent that could crack it the other way, since the rear door straps would be "loose".

[Dave McDufford]

Re: Best Way to Lift Body Off 63 Roadster

You need to either leave the dooors on and closed or provide support in the door opening area.

When I had the doors off, I put a chain with a turn buckle between the door hinge and an eye bolt I screwed into the a door striker hole. I used the turn buckle to snug up the chain. Do not turn too tight or you can bend the body the other way.

Dave

[Dave McDufford]

Re: Best Way to Lift Body Off 63 Roadster

I meant to say top door hinge. I wish you could edit these messages...

Dave

[Michael H.]

Re: Best Way to Lift Body Off 63 Roadster

Hey Larry -

Shoot me your e-mail address and I'll send pics of the lifting rig and door bracing you need.