Finally got the Chevelle to the body shop for work and paint. Sent them a gutted shell on wheels. But once it is back I need to put the engine back in, get all the new fuel and brake lines and probably clean up some oversrpay http://www.chevelles.com/forum/frown.gif . (Too late to lecture me on that topic, next time body work, block and sand then do frame.)

Anyway, thumbing through some of the old assembly line photos I saw how the bodys with front clips were mated with the frames. I would like to lift my body off to do all the stuff I need to do to finish off the frame and slide the engine in and then lower the body back on. Body man cautioned me on lifting the body off as it might warp, I plan on supporting all the body bushing locations evenly once it is off. It would just be the gutted shell with a front clip being lfted off.

It doesn't seem to me as though the front clip would be that much weight, especially with the number of bolts holding it on. As for getting the body off, I would jack the body up get my 4 x 4's under there and six of my good friends to do the lift off.

Anyone ever tried this ? ? ?

Gene

I've never done it that way I'm sure with time and patients it could be done I'd be afraid of scratching or worse dent or ding the final product
I do know that you would have to lift evenly
in all points at equal ammounts for fear of twisting the assembly
you would also have to go through and realign everything afterward which could be an invitation for a scratch
are the doors, trunklid and hood still
attached?? Is it too late to get the car back?? do you have access to a lift??
good luck,
Rich

Gene - I posted a question recently about the best procedure for lifting a body off a frame and it addressed many of the concerns you have.

Hope you find it helpfull, the url is http://www.chevelles.com/forum/Forum23/HTML/002528.html



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Tony -- 1968 Chevelle

Red,
The assembly line photos you saw might have been pictures of unibody type cars. I went on a tour of the Baltimore GM plant back in Jr High (1965) and the front clips came down seperately. I could be wrong, but I think you would rally be taking a risk doing it that way.

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Bill Koustenis
Advanced Automotive Machine
Waldorf Md

1971 Heavy Chevy - original owner
Team Chevelle #100

Thanks for the response guys.

Tony - I used my cherry picker to get the body off (without front clip) the first time, worked really well.

Bill - you're probably right. Maybe that is what I saw.

Will talk to the body man this weekend.

Gene