body Off???

dualquadpete · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

body Off???

Beaumont4008 · Uber Guru

4x4 will be OK, I have had this sitting on them for years.

73SC · A Poncho Legend!

Seemed to work for this guy too, and btw no response on e-mail from that other 58 owner.

-- Edited by 73SC on Tuesday 22nd of September 2009 04:35:09 PM

67HEAVEN · Poncho Master!

I used 2"x4" and 4"x4" and placed it on 6 casters to make it easy to move it around the shop and to push it in and out of an enclosed car trailer for trips to the media blaster and paint shop.

Casters are very useful. wink

dualquadpete · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

That looks like it would work, hope you don't have a patent on it. Only problem I see, I don't have "that" many friends to help out!!! Mention physical labour & they are "GONE"" Pete

-- Edited by dualquadpete on Tuesday 22nd of September 2009 06:33:27 PM

eeluddy · Uber Guru

If the floors are really weak you may want to consider tack welding in a temporary brace at the door jambs before you lift it. That will help keep it from distorting when you do cut out the floor.

norontcan · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

The pictures of the "tarped" one is so similar to what I did that you'd think it was mine.

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

dualquadpete wrote:

That looks like it would work, hope you don't have a patent on it. Only problem I see, I don't have "that" many friends to help out!!! Mention physical labour & they are "GONE"" Pete

-- Edited by dualquadpete on Tuesday 22nd of September 2009 06:33:27 PM

Haha, you beat me to it. As I was reading that, I had the same thought. Where would I find that many friends, especially if I buy a 66 Grande Parisienne. How many friends would that take???!!!

eeluddy · Uber Guru

The Corvette bodies are a lot easier to lift. I've participated in a few lift offs. I would say the lightest was a 56. As for a 58 Pontiac you may want to get 2 sets of chain falls with some sturdy overhead beams to hang them from. It has got to be some heavy metal. Good luck.

68sd396rag · Poncho Master!

Carl Stevenson wrote:

dualquadpete wrote:

That looks like it would work, hope you don't have a patent on it. Only problem I see, I don't have "that" many friends to help out!!! Mention physical labour & they are "GONE"" Pete

-- Edited by dualquadpete on Tuesday 22nd of September 2009 06:33:27 PM

Haha, you beat me to it. As I was reading that, I had the same thought. Where would I find that many friends, especially if I buy a 66 Grande Parisienne. How many friends would that take???!!!

hey we did my 69 Beaumont stationwagon-10 guys! It was a heavy pig but we gotter done!!

Ghost Post · Poncho Master!

After help taking off the complete nose I used to do the frame swaps myself..
I'd hang two comealongs from a hoist beam w/ one hooked to the hinge locations of each side of the cowl and an engine hoist in the middle at the rear so the open front kept it clear to roll the chassis in/out..
I'd undo the firewall harness from the cowl and master from the booster (so no lines cracked open) also undo the e-brake cable and fuel lines between the chassis and tank/f-pump..
There'd be the odd ground and wiring to rear bumper lights if equipped but aside from that it'd be an easy in and out w/ the frame then reverse order the above and you're on the road without even bleeding the brakes!.

dualquadpete · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Thanks folks, will let you know what the outcome is after I go see It. it may be too far gone for me, or maybe not, will have to check it out "real good" as he didn't say anything about the trunk floor or door jambs, rear whl. hsgs. etc. Doors were off in Picture, think I'd put them back on before attempting body lift, to sriffen the "hulk" pete

gparis7 · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Never had the luxury of overhead beams; I've always jacked the car up, supported it on blocks & beams or saw horses, and rolled the frame out/in. One person can do it; it just takes longer.

RacerRick · Addicted!

I spoke to the guy yesterday and am going to look at the car tonight.

I was told it has a bad frame, floors, rockers, and a few other places are soft.

I have done a bunch of frame offs and depending on how good the floors and rockers are - you might have to brace the body to make sure it doesn't sag or twist. I use 1x1 box through the car to support it, and 1x2 channel for the lift points.

If the car is structurally solid, you can usually just make something to hold the body and be fine. Make sure you have enough space for 3 cars if you are going to do this - the frame, the body, and all the other parts.

Have about 10 people if you are going to lift it off by hand! It took us about that to do a 69' Cutlass body.

-- Edited by RacerRick on Thursday 24th of September 2009 10:06:55 AM

dualquadpete · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

RacerRick wrote:

I spoke to the guy yesterday and am going to look at the car tonight.

I was told it has a bad frame, floors, rockers, and a few other places are soft.

I have done a bunch of frame offs and depending on how good the floors and rockers are - you might have to brace the body to make sure it doesn't sag or twist. I use 1x1 box through the car to support it, and 1x2 channel for the lift points.

If the car is structurally solid, you can usually just make something to hold the body and be fine. Make sure you have enough space for 3 cars if you are going to do this - the frame, the body, and all the other parts.

Have about 10 people if you are going to lift it off by hand! It took us about that to do a 69' Cutlass body.

-- Edited by RacerRick on Thursday 24th of September 2009 10:06:55 AM
OK now I know who Eric is, guess you came to the same conclussion I did, it's too far gone for me, maybe you too!!! Pete

2drpost · Uber Guru

gparis7 wrote:

Never had the luxury of overhead beams; I've always jacked the car up, supported it on blocks & beams or saw horses, and rolled the frame out/in. One person can do it; it just takes longer.

that's how i did mine john. lifted each end a bit at a time.

RacerRick · Addicted!

dualquadpete wrote:
AM
OK now I know who Eric is, guess you came to the same conclussion I did, it's too far gone for me, maybe you too!!! Pete

I looked at it and the owner said would sell it cheaper without the engine and rims since he is looking at a another car that could use them.

Its too rough for me to tackle right now - I already am in the middle of the 55' Chevy build which is a frame off. I was hoping it was solid enough that I would just sell the 55' and build that instead.

I did just pick up a 73' Buick Electra 225 that I am going to use the engine out of in the 55'. I figure a mild 455 should work pretty good on that wagon.