C2 Jacking positions...

[Jim V.]

I have been lifting my 65 vert with the old hydraulic floor jack at the rear differential under the spring plate. Each time I do I kinda cringe thinking I gonna bust the cover( yeah John, I've read how to crack the cover installing the rear spring). I also use the bottom of the front crossover (cradle) for lifting the front. Somebody here also recommended jacking from the side in the middle of the side rails. This is even more scary to me. Any other anxiety-free creative approaches out there for us lift-free cretins?

Thanks
JimV

[Joe L.]

Re: C2 Jacking positions...

Jim------

You should NEVER use the bottom of the front crossmember for jacking purposes. This will distort and deform the relatively thin plate which covers the bottom of the crossmember. If you've been using this jacking point for years, I'll bet that yours is the worst for wear.

The correct jacking points are shown in your 1965 Chevrolet Service Manual. These are at the corners of the frame rail straight sections on either side of the car.

[John L.]

Re: C2 Jacking positions...

I think the real question here is not where to jack the car but where to put the jack stands after you jack the car up. If you do jack the car at the corners of the frame rail as the shop manual shows, where do you put the jackstands ???

I have been lifting my 66 at where the frame rail and the crossmember meet and then put the jackstand at the appropriate corner.

john lolli

[Grant M.]

Re: C2 Jacking positions...

Check out the front dust cover photograph on Noland Adams' Restoration Guide Volume II. The 67 convertible is supported on jackstands positioned pretty much where the factory recommends. It's tight, but there is room to get a hydraulic jack adjacent to the stands to lift the car (assuming you're not using a jack built to lift 10,000 lbs).

[Steve D.]

Re: C2 Jacking positions...

Jim

When I posted a similar question in January, I was told that the the front cross member (padded) is used for lifting at national judging events. I also received the suggestion to use the rear strut rod center bracket in the rear. This doesn't put the carrier cover at risk. This has worked well for me.

Steve

[Duke W.]

Re: C2 Jacking positions...

I've never had any damage jacking my SWC at the front cross memmber, rear strut rod bracket, and I also lift the whole side with a jack under the intersection between the center cross member and outside rail, but this might be a little more risky on a convertible because they have much less bending stiffness.

I always use a soft wood block between the jack cup and frame - just a 2" length of 2x4.

Jackstands go at the ends of the straight portions of the side rails which correspond to the emergency jack lift points.

Duke

[Michael W.]

Re: C2 Jacking positions...

I was a member of this year's Bowtie jacking team at the Monterey National Convention. No cars were jacked by lifting under the front crossmember. C2 and C3 models were lifted from the sides, close to the transmission crossmember and squarely on the frame rail. A teflon lifting pad was used on the jack to protect the frame.

No Corvettes were injured in the making of this convention.

[Jim V.]

Re: C2 Jacking positions...

Yes, the front crossover is indented as a result of jacking, I suspected this was questionable due to the creeking noises when jacking. SO.. from now on only the siderails for me, with the jackstands near the end..

PS.. were can ya get the teflon or urethane jacking pad..?

Thanks
JimV

[Wayne K.]

Re: C2 Jacking positions...

Jim,

I've been using a hockey puck for years as a buffer and they are cheap.

[Ryan Clark]

Re: C2 Jacking positions...

I believe several of the Corvette Parts Catalogs, MAD, Corvette Central, Zip?, sell them. You may be able to get them at an auto parts store?

Ryan

[Grant M.]

Re: C2 Jacking positions...

Jim,

Eastwood and Ecklers sell such pads.

[Craig S.]

Re: C2 Jacking positions...

Griot's Garage....see link below....Craig

http://www.griotsgarage.com

[Craig S.]

Re: C2 Jacking positions...

I don't see them on their online store, but I bought some from the paper catalog. Craig

[John H.]

Re: C2 Jacking positions...

California Car Cover ( www.calcarcover.com ) has an enormous selection of urethane pads for jacks, vises, pliers, etc.

[John L.]

Re: C2 Jacking positions...

I have a craftsman 3 ton floor jacks. I made my own pads using treated 1" lumber and carpet. The craftsman pad is approx 6" in dia and recessed with about a 1/2" high lip. I cut the wood and carpet and glued the carpet to the wood. It fits inside the recess. Has worked fine for the last 6-7 years. Also allows me to get up and under the side pipes nicely.

john lolli