Killer Garage - Another Frame Off!

[69MyWay]

I have updated my website with my latest project. When you click on the link and see this, I want you to realize it took place in less than 24 hours. I don't sleep much...eh?

Anyway, the plan is to expose the rotten bird cage/body frame, match it up with a replacement, then put the car back together. Mike is going to prep and powder coat the frame and if all goes well, we will meet in the middle to slam it together.

1970 Vette Project

Over the next couple of nights, I will seperate the firewall from the inner frame, remove the rockers, pop the rivets off the rear clip, and lift the rear clip from the floor and front section. I will clean, prep, and dress the parts up, then glue and rivet it all back together with the replacement body frame. I will also be spraying truck bed liner on the floor like I did Killer for fresh looks, and added sound/heat projection.

 

[clar2001]

Less than 24hours wow must be using power tools.or your getting to much practice, nice placement of the body support in the door area . look forward to more pics of your project is this one a kepper or 4sale when done maby have a raffel and sell tickets, ok just kidding keep us posted .................

 

[Bob Chadwick]

All with a shoulder that needs surgery. Superman on steeroids.

 

[matchframe]

I will also be spraying truck bed liner on the floor like I did Killer for fresh looks, and added sound/heat projection.

Do you spray underneath the body, or on the inside?

Where do you get the spray-on bed liner, and what's it called?

Thanks!

 

[matchframe]

Reality TV - A Day in the Life of the Vette Master!

Talk about reality TV, I think there needs to be a camera crew follow you around sometime during one of your projects. I would love to edit a show like that!

It seems to work for Orange County Choppers!

Maybe we could syndicate it.


Bill

 

[bossvette]

fantastic, are you doing everything yourself or do you have someone to help you? It looks to me like at least two or three weeks of work done overnight.

 

[69MyWay]

Nope, not super man...and yes....my shoulder is aching! I am trying to get as much life out of it as I can before I go back under the knife...which will happen after I put this car back, and push the six speed under Killer.

I have thought about putting a web cam in the shop...but with my luck all you would ever see is me scratching myself, and picking my nose!

This is my buddies car, and I don't imagine he will sell it. It is so ironic as I was one of the last people to actually drive this car a decade ago! The tax expired in 1990!

Nikki (my wife) is usually my helper. I also dream up crazy ways of doing things myself, like the funny looking hoist I lifted the body with as seen in the pics. She is an awesome helper! When not holding tools, parts, or spot checking me, she is making up some yummy lunch to keep my engine running. I am blessed that she enjoys Vettes as well, and gives me room to play.

The bed liner will go on both sides of the floor. You can get it from any place that sells auotmotive paint. There are a dozen brands out there. You spray it with a body shultz gun. They have epoxy based and Urothane based products. I prefer the Urothane.

Yes.....I love coffee and drink plenty of it! When I am on a "Mission", I can't rest until the job is somewhat complete. I think I have a little OCD in me...what do you think?

I will document the rotted out areas of the bird cage after I break it free from the fiberglass. It will scare you what can be rotting away in there without you even knowing it! Very few Vette shops will tackle such a job as it is far more labor intensive than just pulling the body off the chassis frame.

 

[paintdaddy]

Woah...Chris slow down ,your giving me a headache.I got a "freind" that get you some ridilin or prozac if ya need it.Looks like your doing a nice job.I like the door bracing.I just boought a whole door/body bracing system.I got tired of being nervous of the body folding in half.Hey uh do you need a job,Ill give ya all of the coffee ,mountain dew and candy bars ya want.

 

[69MyWay]

Woah...Chris slow down ,your giving me a headache.I got a "freind" that get you some ridilin or prozac if ya need it.Looks like your doing a nice job.I like the door bracing.I just boought a whole door/body bracing system.I got tired of being nervous of the body folding in half.Hey uh do you need a job,Ill give ya all of the coffee ,mountain dew and candy bars ya want.

Ridilin and prozac would take all the fun out of it!

One thing is ticking me off. He had the windshield replaced and they glued it down with the new style urothane sealant instead of the B-tape. Anyway, I am not able to remove the windshield, and it needs to come out next. I am calling a local glass company to come give it a go. They won't guarntee not to break it, but they have a better shot at it than me.

Last night I popped the rivets and started cutting out the floor, and going up the cowl....but got stopped by the windshield. So, I hop to make much more progress when the glass is out.

 

[paintdaddy]

I am calling a local glass company to come give it a go. They won't guarntee not to break it, but they have a better shot at it than me.

Smart man.I dont mess with windsheilds anymore.Long story short,I have a guy that helps me on mondays and he is full throttle all of the time.He wanted to pull a windsheild out of a gto last week and I wanted to call a glass co..He insisted on doing it ,and said hes done it a thousand times and never broke one.Well guess what,Im buying a new windsheild.Looks like your doing it right,keep up the good work.

 

[clar2001]

what is B-tape is that the black strip you place around the glass , like my old chevy malibu I did once ..

 

[paintdaddy]

what is B-tape is that the black strip you place around the glass

Its short for butyl tape,its the gooey adhesive that is used in different places on the car.It never dries,its always gooey

 

[clar2001]

Thanks for the Info..............
Looking forward to more pics and updates this is a great thread.

 

[69MyWay]

The glass company came out and popped the windshield today. No damage!

I hammered on the car tonight and cut the firewall off, as well as the left rear B pillar jamb, and cut the left rocker cover loose.

I updated the site with three more photos on the end.

I hope to repeat this on the right side, and have it cut all apart by Saturday afternoon where I can start cleaning parts and making my plan for the next phase.

 

[paintdaddy]

I like this pic.Nikkis givin you that "do you know what your doin"look.I get that from my wife too.

 

[matchframe]

We noticed that last night when catching up with your progress. My wife, Jennifer says her hat is off to Nikki for being such a trooper!

After seeing the rust on the birdcage that you are working on, I went out to check mine to see what shape it is in. I was hesitant, because My Vette sat outside under a car cover for so long, that I began to fear there might be a problem. I was glad to find that is it in real good shape! Is there anything I can do to prevent such a problem in the future?

When you start to rebuild the body, how will you attach the pieces back together? I notice that you used a sawsall on the firewall. Just curious on how it will all be pieced back together.

 

[69MyWay]

Updates 7/26/03

Check the site again for updates:

You know there is no turning back when.....

The body frame/bird cage is now at Britts' house. We will get together this week, cut and weld items from this to the t-top frame, cut the t-top bars out, and get that frame powder coated.

Maybe, but next week I can start putting it back together.

The chassis frame is at the powder coaters now. Mike Britts stripped it over this last week. We will be in a race to get the two items together so we can meet in the middle and get the car back on the frame. This may be a "record time" frame off!

 

[JohnZ]

One thing is ticking me off. He had the windshield replaced and they glued it down with the new style urothane sealant instead of the B-tape.

Butyl tape was never used by GM for any glass installations, as it won't pass impact testing and still retain the windshield (MVSS requirement). 70's GM cars used "Thiokol" adhesive for the windshield, which was replaced by Urethane in the 80's.

 

[69MyWay]

Butyl tape was never used by GM for any glass installations, as it won't pass impact testing and still retain the windshield (MVSS requirement). 70's GM cars used "Thiokol" adhesive for the windshield, which was replaced by Urethane in the 80's.

thanks for the great info.

Actually, Mike attempted a repair on this windshield frame a couple of years ago. He sectioned in a replacement frame from mid point between the hinges up. He had the local glass company Urethane it in place.

The Urethane is great, strong, and durable...but a real pain in the rear when you are cutting them out!

My 69 had the the tape in it when I took it apart, as well as my 69 Camaro.

 

[P-ColaVette]

Mr. Perpetual Motion....

I say, "Rock On" Chris, and I really hope to see you on the MC III, as I'm sure you will be ready for a break and a little Rest & Relaxation ! Thank's for the pic's and updates !



Steve.