Topic: to do a frame off restore or not??
in Forum: C3 Body
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A crate engine is a great way to go. Several members here have them and seem to have good luck with them. I bumped my head ducking under the hanging body one night. I came up a little short of clearing it and did the ol' noggin thing. Bled like a stuck pig for a while too. OUCH.
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Former Member
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Mounds View, MN - USA
Joined: 5/24/2007
Posts: 1031
Vette(s): 70 LT1 coupe, 69 350 HP coupe, 69 390HP 427 coupe, 71 LS5 convert, 85 coupe, 93 coupe
First to answer pdupler's question. Yes you can take the body off the frame, fix the frame and set the body back on without doing anything to it. Just use a new set of body mounts.
And for my opinion (such as it is) about the original question. We tend to get carried away with fixing what we have, rather than deciding if it would make more sense to start with a more solid car. If there is rust in the cage, it is probably in a lot of places you will discover once it is apart. And then it is to late to sell this car and buy another. I am not saying I think your car isn't worth fixing, just that you should find as many of the problems as possible before making a decision. And then make yoursaelf a promise that you will not fall into the "As long as we're...." trap.
Good luck
Larry
And for my opinion (such as it is) about the original question. We tend to get carried away with fixing what we have, rather than deciding if it would make more sense to start with a more solid car. If there is rust in the cage, it is probably in a lot of places you will discover once it is apart. And then it is to late to sell this car and buy another. I am not saying I think your car isn't worth fixing, just that you should find as many of the problems as possible before making a decision. And then make yoursaelf a promise that you will not fall into the "As long as we're...." trap.
Good luck
Larry
Former Member
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Yelm, WA - USA
Joined: 7/12/2007
Posts: 356
Vette(s): 1979 L82 4 speed Scat 383 crank 190 cc Procomp Aluminum Heads 202 160 stainless valves GM Powder metal rods Speedpro H860CP Hypereutectic pistons 280 cam hydralic HEI Pro comp 1.6 roller rockers Mighty Demon 750 Sanderson CC1AP Hedders.
Like everyone said 
Getting the body off is easy and if you think you got a case of the since I'm already there, wait until you pull the body off. I actually had a lot of fun doing mine and I learned a lot. When I started I planned to sell it but now I'm keeping it(grew to love it). Body off project 8 hrs a day for about 6-7 months untill the body went back on.
Getting the body off is easy and if you think you got a case of the since I'm already there, wait until you pull the body off. I actually had a lot of fun doing mine and I learned a lot. When I started I planned to sell it but now I'm keeping it(grew to love it). Body off project 8 hrs a day for about 6-7 months untill the body went back on. I would say though if you do pull the body you should at least budget to replace just about everything. The only two things I didn't rebuild(YET) were the trans and rear end. I painted my frame with por-15, maybe I should have powder coated that's my only regret. It's definately a challenge, once I started there was no way I could put the 29.5 year rusty old parts back on the brand new engine and shiny frame.
When pulling the body off the frame, do you need to add any supports to strengthen the body?
Former Member
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Yelm, WA - USA
Joined: 7/12/2007
Posts: 356
Vette(s): 1979 L82 4 speed Scat 383 crank 190 cc Procomp Aluminum Heads 202 160 stainless valves GM Powder metal rods Speedpro H860CP Hypereutectic pistons 280 cam hydralic HEI Pro comp 1.6 roller rockers Mighty Demon 750 Sanderson CC1AP Hedders.
The front end can sag a little when it's off the frame but not too bad, I think it may be more of an issues with earlier C3's, same goes for shimming the body mounts. I wasn't too impressed with the body lift harness, I think having some buddies to help you lift the body off is the way to go IMHO.
in Forum: C3 Body
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