Small S.N.A.F.U.

[tscott9330]

I have the vettes body ready to come off, but I now have discovered that the lifting harness from ecklers is to long. I stretched almost all the way to the cieling before it tightens up.

My origional plan was to lift from a chain hoist suspended just below the ceiling, which as you can see is going to be a bit immpossible unless I shorten the harnes some how or raise the hoist.

I have a few ideas as to how to fix the problem, but nothing that is simple.

So I guess my question is, when you all lifted the body off the frame did you use just plain lift straps or did you use a specialized harness?

Also, where is the best spots for the straps to run under the body to limit distortion?



Thanks,
Tom

 

[67HEAVEN]

Eight of us "lifted" the body off some time ago. Six of us "lifted" it back on for a test fit today.

CHAPTER 19.

 

[matchframe]

I used a lifting harness, and it did the same thing. What we did was tie several knots in each strap until I had at least 21 inches of lifting headroom. I had the chain hoist right above the T arm when the strap started to take stress.

As far as placing the straps, I took the doors off so that there would not be any stress on the outer skins of the door, and placed the forward strap just behind the front fender and the rear strap right in front of the door jam. I also made up a piece of 1/2 inch angle iron that fit the length of the doorway, drilled small holes in the angle iron, and in the lifting clip, and made up a small bolt, and nut to secure the lifting clip to the angle iron so that the straps would not slide along the doorway, allowing the body to tilt one way or the other.

We also had 4 people to help stabilize the body as it came up.

Hope this helps!


Bill

 

[tscott9330]

yes it does help, I was considering tying knots but I was unsure how they would act under stress, if the would slide through and still be to long, but now that you told me thats how you did it, Ifeel better about doing it.

Also, I was planning on spanning the rafters in the roof with a 4x4 or 2 to spread the load so as to not break my new house. What kind of reinforcment did you use, if any?

Tom

 

[matchframe]

I have an 8 foot opening with a beam going across and into the rafters to spread the load. I spanned 3 sets of rafters on each side of the opening, and the ceiling did not even show it had a load on it when the body was in the air.

As far as the knots, I tied two knots on each strap, and afterwards, could not begin to untie them, they are so tight, that I think the knots are now permanent.

 

[matchframe]

Also, I pulled mine 21 inches in the air, and still had to lift the front end by hand another few inches to clear the motor as the frame was pulled out. I also had the fuel tank out so the back end would clear. If you still have the fuel tank in, plan to lift it another 12 to 15 inches to clear the tank.

Bill

 

[matchframe]

Here we are lifting the body:

 

[82ColEd]

Bill, you are a brave man !

 

[matchframe]

Thanks 82ColEd,

I have always been the curious one, and had to take things apart to understand how they worked. They say curiosity killed the cat, but fortunately they have nine lives!

In my case, the Vette was way past minor parts replacement; it really needed major parts upgrades. So the rebuilding began.


Bill