Body off frame...1970 BB coupe

[69MyWay]

I am helping my Buddy David Rivera get started on his restification journey to rebuild his 1970 big block coupe. He has had the car for about 3 years in the same shape he bought it in as a project car.

We met at a local car show and have been hanging out since. He gave me a hand on the 71 vert engine pull, etc. the last couple of weeks. He is learning as he goes.


Last night we made the final plans to set up his garage ready for the body lift. He has unbolted the body from the frame, and disconnected all the steering, shifter, wires, seatbelts, e-brake cable, etc. etc.

We will put a come-a-long in the attic supports over the rear portion of the T top bar. We will crank it up there and get it to tilt. Then, we will lift the nose while Nikki and his wife Wendy check for any last minute connections. When we clear, we will support the nose on a 2x4 between two ladders and roll the chassis out. He is going to use my old wooden body dolley that we built Killer on and TZracers Bruiser.

So.....Here is to David...and the start of something good! He will need all your support. We will get him registered here so he can participate in this thread.....and of course, I will post pics.

 

[Paranoid]

I wished you lived near me Chris.:cry I could use some help every now & then.

Dave is a lucky guy with you as a mentor.

Len

 

[Eddie 70]

Pictures, pictures, pictures. We like pictures.

If his car turns out anything at all as nice as your car it will be very nice.

 

[matchframe]

Congratulations David, and we look forward to following your project.

And thanks to Chris, for the help you offer to all of us online!

Bill

 

[old coot]

Well i am new to the corvette world but am old at building . Before i tried lifting anything like a corvette body I would make sure the rafter trusses are strong enough to support the weight of the body. It is to late when trusses break and body is on floor or worse on someone. Little extra bracing can cure it for sure. I f unsure a good builder can tell you and recommened. good luck

will be doing the same thing before long myself

Dave

 

[old coot]

post to my last post

I know you have your shop squared away 69 I just posted that for beginners like me thay just may try those rafters in their garage just reminding them to check them out first

Dave

 

[old coot]

post to my last post

I know your shop is squared away 69 but I just threw this out for beginners like me that may try a lift on garage trusses without checking them I injoy your posts and am reading and learning.

Dave

 

[69MyWay]

Dave,

A little saftey measures goes a long way.

We located a perfect spot in his attic where the trusses triangulate into one spot. His support beam will run across four of these areas where it is reinforced in the "V" of the roof support.

It should be okay..we will take it nice and easy.

I should be able to post some pics and info later today....stay tuned.

 

[69MyWay]

Finally!

We had a "Vette Raising" today...instead of a Barn Raising. Several fellows, neighbors, and even the wives came out and gave a hand.

David did a great job rigging his ceiling with the come-a-long and getting things ready.

Here he is posing with his beauty!

 

[69MyWay]

Next, David lifted the rear section of the body, then we hand lifted the nose running a pair of 2x4s across a pair of step ladders to support the nose.

 

[69MyWay]

This next pic is great, because you can see how high the body had to come up to clear the gas tank...etc.

We moved the boards to the floor pan, removed the rear wheels and set the chassis on a rolling jack to have full control of the total chassis height.

Once the body was high enough, we pulled the chassis out from under it.

 

[69MyWay]

Ahhh, taking a break.

Here is the full rolling chassis complete with Big Block power and turbo 400 trans!

The overall condition of the frame is EXCELLENT! Minimal rust (surface only). The lower rocker channels on the body frame are in great shape as well.

 

[69MyWay]

DARNIT!!!!!!!!!!

In the middle of all our fun, the 1971 convertible I have been working on and driving a bit had a breakdown. The starter went crazy and got hung up on the flywheel. That sounds great at 4,000 RPM!

So, in the middle of the body raising, we had to jack up the 71 and get it going again.

The flywheel is a little chewed up, but it is working now thanks to a new starter. The owner of the 71 came over to Davids to give us a hand, and take the 71 home. It has been at my house for some major mods and repairs over the last month.

 

[69MyWay]

YES!!!!!!!!

Down on the ground on the rolling dolly!

Now, David has his hands full for the next.....months, years!!!

 

[matchframe]

I knew you could do it!

Looks like you guys had fun!