Body Removal?

mobildave · June 09, 2009, 11:41:08 PM

Thanks MRR41 Coup
Cant wait to see the photos. I hope all goes well for you in the next three weeks and you can get out on the road... I am looking at more like three years ;)

MobilDave

MRR41 COUPE · June 09, 2009, 09:21:20 AM

I did a frame off/rotiss restoration on my 41 coupe. It does take time but you will not regret it once its done. I'm about 3 weeks from being done, will post lots of pictures when done. I can then stop talking about the 41 and start driving the 41, can't wait. Have pictures from start to finish.

mobildave · June 09, 2009, 04:13:18 AM

Thanks Guys for your advice and opinions, lots to think about.

I do have the garage space for a frame off and fully expect to not complete the project for several years. This will most likely be my only build and I have had the car for 15 years already. Now that I have the space, time and a realistic budget I am ready to take on the task of fallowing a life long dream.

I have no expectations of getting any return on my investment other than the pride of workmanship, learning and applying new skills and building new friendships. Priceless in my book but that?s just me.

MobilDave

36 Ply · June 05, 2009, 09:42:32 AM

MobilDave-

I think that mvair's advice is excellent, if you decide to remove the body. It also illustrates what I mentioned below; when it's time to reassemble, you'll have to adjust everything that is adjustable; doors, hood, trunk lid, etc., so that it fits like it did before disassembly. Not impossible, but can be frustrating. I know that much from trying to align the driver's door on a '70 Chevy half ton.

I'm 65 years old, and have owned about 30 cars and trucks that were at least 20 years old; I've never made the commitment involved with body removal, but, then again, I'm no good at bodywork.

Good luck with your project, whatever you decide.
Pat O'Connor

mvair · June 04, 2009, 11:58:52 PM

Others have given good advice about the need to remove the body. If you decide to remove the body it can be done easily with two people and possible with one.

1) Remove everything from the body that can be unbolted. Take off the doors, take out he seats, remove the fenders, front clip, gas tank, etc. (Leave all these parts together until you are ready to work on them. Don't start taking things apart yet.
2) Disconnect all of the engine control cables, instruments, etc.
3) Remove the body to frame bolts.
4) Make a "t" shaped block with 6"x6" or 8"x8" timbers. Place the block on a floor jack with the top of the "t" up against good sheet metal on the floor of the body.
5) Jack the body just high enough (4-5 inches) to slip a 4"x4" post between the frame and body. Do this for the front beneath the firewall and back near the rear axel. Support the ends of the posts on saw horses cut the correct height.
6) Jack up the differential with the floor jack and remove the rear wheels/tires.
7) Lower the floor jack all the way to drop the differential nearly to the ground.
8> Roll the frame out from under the body using the front tires and dragging the rear end on the floor jack.
9) Put the body on a cart as suggested. It is not safe to have it on saw horses (especially with kids around) and it will be easy to move it out of the way if it is on a cart.
10) Reassemble in 5-10 years when the project is done!

I have used this procedure more than once without ever feeling I was losing control of the process or putting anyone in danger. It really works! The car is never more than inches above a supporting surface.

Wm Steed · May 31, 2009, 03:18:43 PM

I have restored a lot of cars during the past 50 odd years. I have only removed the bodies of my '39 Plym conv and a '37 Ford pickup I did 30 years ago.
I am currently working on a '31 Plym PA, '40 Buick 4dr, a 49 Olds 2dr and a '66 Ford pickup, neither of them with the exception of the PA will have a body off'. The '31 PA already had it's body "cut off" before I purchased the car. I will lift the bodies off the frame high enough to replace the mount insulators, doing one side at a time. For the most part I think the removal of the body on the average car is over kill.

On pre 1936 bodies, ie; which have cloth insert tops,? it is usually best to lift the body by jacking the body up under the door sills using something like a camper jack or twin post hoist which spreads the weight over about four feet. Most steel topped bodies can be lifted using heavy straps through the front/rear widows. Two engine hoists, one on each side of the car could also be used, attaching a wide 'sling' in an inverted V (tepee) to balance the load of the body under the door sills.

If a body is to be removed it is best to have a rolling carriage/dolly made up to roll under the body once the chassis can be rolled out from under the body. The carriage/dolly should have supports that will attach to the original body mount in at least three positions on each side of the body. Why a carriage/dolly??? Good intentions are like arm pits, everyone has them.. We all think we are going to have the chassis part of the project done in a couple of months..... wrong.. the body is still sitting on saw horses in the middle of the driveway two years after the project was started and the wife and neighbors are feed up with the eye sore.? >:(
The carriage/dolly makes the body mobile so it can be shoved into the corner of the shop/garage, etc; and out of the way. The carriage/dolly also makes the body easier? to load onto the trailer when the project is sold for junk. ;D ....Bill

TodFitch · May 31, 2009, 10:31:18 AM

If the car is in reasonably good shape, where you don't have to remove the body to fix rust holes, etc., then I too would recommend leaving the body on. But that is just me.

I did remove the body on my 1933. Stripped of everything it was not too horrible to hand for a crew of people. But pull everything out first. Glass is heavy and leaving the windows in will add a considerable amount of weight.

36 Ply · May 31, 2009, 09:21:13 AM

MobilDave-

Upfront I am saying that I've never removed a car (or truck) body from a frame.

Having said that, are you absolutely sure that it is necessary? I am just wondering if everything will line up correctly when you go to put the body back on the frame. I would think you would need at least one other helper at a minimum.

Regards,
Pat O'Connor

mobildave · May 31, 2009, 01:17:38 AM

OK so it is time to pull the body off the frame of my 41 Ply Tudor. Any suggestions on where to pull from and a safe and practical way to support it while working on the frame.

The car is very solid only minor surface rust and many years of dust and anything that can be removed will be removed before attempting the lift.

Tools at hand are an engine hoist and floor jack no budget for a rotisserie or anything too exotic.

If you could share some pictures or links of what has worked for you that would be most helpful.

Thanks
MobilDave