C3-Nose support

[Steve L.]

From the previous thread response, I gather the best way to do a body lift (coupe) with a rusted sill channel, is to attach to the #1 mounts and the back wheel well. I bought an Ecklars body sling a few months back, but, as is, it really isn't that suitable.

On the back wheel well, do you just catch the fiberglass with the sling hook?

Once you get rid of the bumper metal works, can you just attach to the tublar support, to balance the front end?

Thanks for your great response

Steve L.
73 coupse since new

[Grant M.]

Re: C3-Nose support

Along these lines of query, didn't the manufacturer lift (lower) the bodies with padded brackets at each wheel well? I'm basing my assumption on the many photos of the assembly line that have appeared in various books, Noland Adams' for example. Would that not work in this case, or is the concern that a rotted sill channel will result in too much flex between the front and rear and perhaps split the body somewhere in the centre?

[Steve L.]

Re: C3-Nose support

Grant,
The concern was, does the nose fall off when doing a body lift without it being support since there doesn't seem to be any steel work between the birdcage and the nose steelworks.

Also, do you lift under the front wheel wells (the consensus is NO)

I gather from all the responses is that you lift under the rear wheel wells with the sling hook or under the #3 mounts by the sill plate. At the front end, under the #2 mounts by the sling hooks BUT if the sill is bad, then make somesort of hook that attaches to the #1 mounts from inside the engine compartment. In my case, the engine is removed, so that's what I'll do: rear wheel well, #1 mount bolt-hook thingy; and a support from the front.

I think I'll build some sort of frame(steel or wood) that this will hover over the top of the body so that the webbing will pull vertically up and not place a squeezing load on the body. Then use a sky hook to pull the hovering frame up.

Steve L
73 since new

[John H.]

Re: C3-Nose support

The C3 body drop tackle at St. Louis carried the body at the top of all four wheel wells AND at the sill, just below the hinge pillar (3 points on each side). The C2 tackle only used the four wheel wells - there's a lesson there.

[Klaus Friedrich]

Re: C3-Nose support

Gentlemen,

the real problem is that the nose could really fall off when the body is on the frame!
A friend of mine wanted to change the front wheel bearings and lifted his 73 coupé on both sides at the #2 body mount.
The front came down approx. 1" to 1 1/2" at the front axle. Both fenders ripped off at the door!

I think it is not such a problem on a convertible because it is weaker in the door sills.

Be careful ...

Klaus Friedrich
#33362

[Harmon C.]

Re: C3-Nose support

I have lifted many 1973's bodys off the frame and the #2 body mount/sill plate location is near the balance point. I use 3 chain falls one one each side above the sill plates and one centered on the radiator support. I use a 3/4 inch pipe as a spreader thru the chain fall hook with adajustable collars on the hook and both slings. I took the common sling lift and cut it apart and made 4 slings 36 inches long. When I start the lifting on the sides I adjust the weight by moving the hook along the pipe and it will be near the front hook. I then check the front and like 70 to 100 pounds lifting it by hand. I take all 3 lifts up a little at a time and have done this alone. I might add I have I beams and trollies in my shop going front to back and side to side. If the sill plates are rusty usually the ends where the hooks go are solid. With the sling shortened you need less head room. With the new body lift sling I just got the 1st body off with 11 foot ceiling heigth. With the slings altered as above 8 foot may be enough but I neve checked.

Lyle