Is there anything wrong with lifting a '63 by placing a floor jack under the center of the front cross member or under the center of the rear spring ?
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Re: Jack placement
These are not valid lift points. The metal "cover" in this area up front is thin and this practice causes damage to the underside of the frame in this area - not structural but cosmetic. To correct this damage is difficult (can be done) due to access to the "topside" of this panel being almost non-existant. As far as the center spring area in the rear, it probably would work but I wouldn't personally recommend it. You are placing all the load on the spring mounnt area of the rear differential cover, and, the ears are already a weak area in the factory design. Personally, I stay with the factory approved jack points...Craig -
Re: Jack placement
If I place the jack at one of the suggested points on the frame rail, for example, the left rear, and start jacking, both the left rear and left front wheels come off of the ground before it is lifted enough to get a jack stand into position. It just seems to put the car into a precarious position, as though it is going to roll over.Comment
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Re: Jack placement
Craig is no doubt right about this, but I've been jacking C1's and C2's by the differential and the front crossmember for 30 years and so far I haven't damaged anything. Maybe I've just been lucky so far.
If I jack one side from the approved lift point, I can't put a jack stand where the jack is. If I get close, I can put a jackstand at the end of the frame. Now when I jack the other side of the car, it has to pivot on the jackstand. No, sir! not me. I don't trust jackstands near that much.
If someone has a better way, that is really safe, I'd sure like to hear it. The way the pads on most jack stands stick up at a 45 deg angle, they don't really contact the frame real well to start with. About the only way they sit real solidly is if you place them under the rear axle. I'm not too sure how safe that is either. Besides, that's only an option on C1's.Comment
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Re: Jack placement
The NCRS "jack team" at the nationals jacks up the cars from the front cross member(padded) and then jackstands are placed on each side. I believe the rear is also done from the center.Comment
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Re: Jack placement
My '70 SB Coupe has a flattened area on the front cross member which I assume is from being jacked there. When Jacking the rear I slip a short piece of 2x2 into the channel of the rear strut rod center bracket and jack against that. I use a bottle jack.
Randy Stockberger - #32888Comment
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Re: Jack placement
I think the rear would probably be fine, but the front can be damaged as evideced on my 74 before I bought it in 77. The center area is dented from lifting the front. The padding you describe would help for sure, but, it still seems it may cause minor damage unless the lift area is carefully kept at the front or rear of the crossover area where the support is strongest above. It has been a long while since I really jacked my car as I use a 4 post lift most of the time...CraigComment
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