73 Body Drop

[George W.]

Have any of you attempted a C3 (specifically a 73) body drop, with the radiator support, radiator, shroud etc attached to the chassis? Is there enough room for the radiator support to slide past the inner fenders?

George

[Russ S.]

Re: 73 Body Drop

It would make it a very tight fit as you are dropping the body. I don't like the extra weight hanging on the unsupported front end.

[George W.]

Re: 73 Body Drop

Russ, my plan is to run the engine in the chassis with cooling system, belts, smog system, all in place prior to body drop. If all works well with no issues, it would sure be nice not to have to dismantle for the drop.

George

[Russ S.]

Re: 73 Body Drop

George, I wasn't thinking clearly when I mentioned the extra weight on the front end. I was thinking of the radiator installed on the body with the coolant-dumb. I think it could be done if whatever device you are useing to lower the body is something that is solid, rigid, lowers and raises gently, and if you have plenty of helpers to watch well. I use a two post lift with special fixtures that lift on the bird cage.

[Chuck S.]

Re: 73 Body Drop

...my plan is to run the engine in the chassis with cooling system, belts, smog system, all in place prior to body drop. If all works well with no issues, it would sure be nice not to have to dismantle for the drop...

Body drop will have enough concerns without having to worry about the front end interfering with the radiator and fan shroud as it comes down. Everything else (not AC) can probably be installed permanently without problem.

In developing my plan I decided the best course would be to mount the radiator in position with improvised wood supports, plug the heater hose connections, connect the battery on the floor near the starter with some temporary cables, and connect the control box near the RH cowl body mount location on the frame.

Oil pressure and water temp is something else you don't want to worry about...have those readings conveniently available with a control box. Chapters sometimes have startup control boxes they lend out to their members. If you want to build one for yourself, there was a plan many years ago in The Restorer magazine.

[Alan S.]

Re: 73 Body Drop

Hi George,
My concern would be that the core support isn't vertical in the chassis or body; it leans toward the rear.
It seems to me the body would have to started a bit to the rear and then be moved forward at the same time it's coming down. Depending just how tight or loose the core support is between the inner fenders, this could be tricky.
On my 71 I had the core support mounted in the body before putting it on the chassis. but not the radiator.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan

[George W.]

Re: 73 Body Drop

Russ, I have a beam system with two chain hoists and use lifting devices on each side. It is very stable and can be raised and lowered in small increments.

Chuck, I ran the engine last spring to break in the cam but used a water hose system for cooling. I would like to test the cooling system but if I have to install and then remove before body drop it may not be worth the trouble.

Alan, you are right about the support leaning to the rear. It also flairs out towards the top. The width between the inner fenders increase as you move toward the firewall but I am not sure if it is enough to clear the flair.

I have the radiator support attached to the chassis. I may just need to raise the body off the dolly and try a trial fit.

Thank you all for your input.

George