Been in the process of collecting information and parts to redo a 66 convert B/b.We are repainting car a different color.So we will be practically dissembling the entire car.We will be removing the engine & Trans to detail and clean up engine bay.We are removing the interior for new carpets/seat covers/seat belts and color change.I had my car up on a lift yesterday just to get a good look at every thing and make sure I was not wasting my time and effort on a car with hidden surprises underneith.Well I am going a head with project and some one had mentioned I mine as well go all the way with a body off.My car was redone by others in 1990 so all seems new on the bottom but not detailed.It also has a after market from suspensions in it.My big question is how hard is it to remove body while my car is this far dissambled.Is it worth the effort.My original intention were to just put up on a lift and steam clean the bottom side.looking for advise from some one that has done a simmular project.
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Re: body off or not
Good question, of course there is no answer. I have done three Corvettes, two without taking the body off. It is a lot of work to restore the underside working around the frame rails. But it's also a lot more work required to remove the body, store it, and replace in it's original position. I would only remove the body (if I had it to do over) if there is damage to the frame.
I used Saran Wrap to protect the frame while I worked on the underside of the body and then used the same procedure to cover the body when I painted the frame. It came out just as good as the car that we removed the body. -
Re: body off or not
larry------
I agree with Larry Allen; I NEVER recommend removal of the body from the frame unless it is otherwise necessary to repair/replace the frame.
A body-off restoration MAY be ok for a "trailer queen" type car, but I DEFINITELY don't recommend it for a DRIVEN car.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: body off or not
My two cents worth:
When you start touching un-molested components that are very comfortable right where they are, you can really open up a can of worms and get nickled and dimed to death. Some of those nicles and dimes can also be pretty costly.
Like Joe says, if your pockets are deep and your after awards, then go for it. If not, clean it up, replace mechanicles as needed, and move on.
ChuckComment
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Re: body off or not
I freshened up a straight axle's chassis a few winters ago with he body on and swore I'd NEVER do that again ! What a pain. I also dfeer to these prior postings; these guys know what they're talking about. ButI'm telling you to get that car as high s you can on jackstands....preferrably so you can sit up on your creeper. Spending the winter in teh dead cockroach position is NO FUN. ALso,, spend the $60-$80 and invest in a good quality mask ( the ones with the cannisters that filter the air ) and do it BEFORE you breath in a ton of frame scale dust,cleaning solvents and other junk. Also, tin foil is good to mack off chassis parts as well.....molds and stays put ( kind of ). Say good bye to the family, get a good padded creeper and Good Luck.Comment
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Re: body off or not
Joe,
I am very curious as to why you would not remove the body. Is it because it's too much work, or you want to preserve the body/frame connection or there could be alignment problems when you reinstall it back on to the frame?. I am doing a body-off and think that if I had to do over, I would do it again. Aside from it being 100% easier to rebuild the suspension or replace the fuel line with the body off, I thought "how could I remove the rust on the top, the inside or even the hard to reach bottom and sides of the frame if the body was still on"? I know you can't totally remove the rust and bring the frame back to original (or better) but, I think I did a much better job with 'dipping' and sand blasting it than I ever could with a grinder, sandpaper, chemicals, scrapper or whatever you use.
I am hoping that you are not going to tell me that because I took the body off that I will never be able to get the alignment correct or that the body will never sit right. Because, it would be too late for me and then I would have a nice looking but terrible riding corvette!
I agree that removing the body is a lot of work but, for me it is a lot of fun!Comment
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Re: body off or not
I think that if you can clean up the underside without removing the body you are better off. I restored my car never took the body off, left the doors hung as from the factory and left all the glass in the car. Yes it was a lot of dirty work with small wire brushes that took me 4 months to do but it was well worth it not having to realign all the parts. I did take off the suspension, the engine and every thing in the engine compartment and all of the trim parts and emblems. The proof is the Duntov Award, the Bloomington Gold, the Bloomington Special Collection, the Field of Dreams and being one of Chip's Choice cars.
My '63 Z 06Comment
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Re: body off or not
i have to agree with gary,taking the body off is a piece of cake and a much better resto job can be accomplished!as far as reinstalling it on the frame there is no alignment problems that would be in any way serious,i feel that the end result would be a better daily driver,ianComment
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Re: body off or not
Speaking of body off...I'm almost ready to remove my 61. Anyone know how much the body weighs when fully stripped. Heard I will need 6 - 8 friends.Comment
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Re: body off or not
David,
No offense but, my point and my question have nothing to do with winning 'awards'. I am just questioning the completeness of removing rust and preserving the frame as much as possible. These frames are VERY expensive to repair or replace. I want to keep mine in the best shape possible for the next 10-15 years (or longer). I can't even imagine what a frame would cost 10 years from now.
With the body still on you can not get to some areas and just because you can not see the rust it doesn't mean that it is not there. I have removed every single piece from the frame and cleaned/repaired/primer/painted it. I am concern about doing something detrimental to the body/frame union because I did remove everything. I, as many others on this forum do, respect Joe's opinion and was curious as to why he would not remove the body unless the frame was in need of repair. Unless he considers removing rust a major need.Comment
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How Many Helpers?
When I yanked off the body of my '57, I needed 4 "pals". Also had wooden saw horses that I custom made to place the body on about 3 feet off the floor. Four of us picked up the body, one each, at the front and rear of each door. The 5th person was the "director", who could run around the car when we had some snags clearing the frame and also who was our eyes to properly set the body down on the wooden supports on the other side of the garage. PatrickComment
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Just remember
Pizza and beer AFTER the body is removed! If anybody wants to see photos of a midyear body drop (Rick Snow's '67 big block) have a look at the link below. How's that for having enough helpers?
NCRS Quebec - Rick Snow body dropComment
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Re: body off or not
No offence taken, I just want you to hear how I did it, my work was done 20 years ago and it was done in side my basement (heated and nice and bright) I also had the car high enough so that I could sit up under the car. I did not have to replace the fuel lines either. I did not have to remove the fuel tank either. My car had 210,000 miles on it then and maybe 2000 of it was off road along dirt trails. I think this helped protect the frame as no rust was found. If I had to replace the fuel lines or if I expected major rust I would have taken the body off. Good luck and if you have any questions e-mail me at david@z06vett.com
My '63 Z 06Comment
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Great photos, Mike! *NM*
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Re: body off or not
Gary,
You had the same answer I was going to give. I enjoy taking things apart and putting them back together myself. When I was a kid I did not play with toys I dismantled them. The joy of Corvette ownership, to me, is removing everything and spending hour in the garage. If all I had to do was spray a little blackout under the hood and the car was finished, then it would have a 'for sale' sign on it and I would be looking for another basket case to start working on.
Other people get upset if their spark plugs get fouled and start talking about trading the car for one that doesn't need work.
The question is not should be 'is it better to do I frame off or not'. The question should be 'am I the type of person that really wants to do a frame off' and that cam only be answered by the individual.
If you are the type of person that faints at the sight of trans fluid, then restore the car by only fixing what is absolutely necessary. If you are the type of person that didn't want a puppy as a kid because you couldn't take it apart, then start unbolting everything, and amaze your friends and family when it all goes back together.Comment
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