[Chevelle-list] Body off Frame How-To?

[Karl Groves]

First thing you need to do is remove EVERYTHING you can from the car.
Chevelle bodies are HEAVY. 
 
Now, others may have different tricks & tips to share, but the end goal is
the same: Take the body off the frame and roll the frame out from under the
body.
 
My method is this:
1. Place 1 saw horse at each corner of the body.
2. Jack up the body
3. Place pieces of wood (4x4s at least) between the saw horses, so you're
supporting the body
4. Roll the frame out
 
Seems simple, right?
Well, I've demolished 2 sets of saw horses (that's right, 8 saw horses) this
way.
The first set was metal, and the manufacturer claimed they supported 800lbs
each.  I think they got their lbs and grams confused because the legs
buckled on the two front ones causing a chain reaction an the car fell
The second set was (seemed) more substantial, with a claimed capacity of
1000lbs per pair.  I'm guessing that the Chevelle body weighs more than
2000lbs because one sawhorse completely shattered and 2 of them buckled, but
did not break.
 
I've now constructed my own saw horses out of 4x4 wood, held together with
1/2 inch threaded rod, bolted up nice & tight.
I have a 4x4 top piece, 4 legs that are 4x4s and braces (front & back, and
each side) made from 2x6s.
 
I do not know for sure that this will hold, but I'm almost positive it will.
If it doesn't, the next step is welding some up!
 
I'll let you know how it goes

Karl Groves
Master Certified CIW
http://www.karlgroves.com <http://www.karlgroves.com/> 

Grayscale Content Management System:
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  _____  

From: Thomas Ringlein [mailto:TJ.Noelle at sbcglobal.net] 
Sent: Tuesday, November 21, 2006 12:25 AM
To: 'The Chevelle Mailing List'
Subject: [Chevelle-list] Body off Frame How-To?



I know, there are no stupid questions, only stupid answers.  Hopefully we
won't get any on this topic.

I know the classic "A-body" cars we love have some problems that need to be
addressed occasionally on cars that have not been apart in 30-plus years.
One of those happens to be the frame - notably, the frame mounts that are
prone to rusting.  I want to inspect my frame for rust, and in the process,
put some POR-15 on it to prevent it rusting for the next 30 years or so.  I
plan to pull the car apart starting in January, but I don't have any high
dollar tools or access to a local shop.  Is there an easy way (or not too
incredibly hard way) to pull the body in my garage?  Can I use an engine
hoist to lift the front, support it on some concrete blocks and a 4x4, do
the same with the back, and roll the frame out from underneath it?  Without
buying some special tools and/or shop time, I am not sure of any other way.
Any local guys know a place that can help me with this endeavor?  My body
shop of choice will only work on the body when it is on the frame.  The
ideal situation would be a good body guy that would work on the body while
it was on a rotisserie so I could have 6-8 months to work on the chassis.
There are at least a few guys here that have done this - what did you do?

Now if I can only prevent the "if you give a mouse a cookie" routine...

T.J. Ringlein

72 Chevelle in shambles (but it still runs and drives)

Clovis, California

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