Topic: blocking up for winter storage/maintenance
in Forum: C3 General Discussion
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Former Member
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Easthampton, MA - USA
Joined: 5/27/2007
Posts: 114
Vette(s): 1970 corvette conv, 350 auto.
OK Guys...western MA is gonna see some snow REAL soon.....at least the weather people say we will, and I figured it was a good time to get the vette in the air for winter storage (unload the suspension), and be able to get underneith safetly. The way I have it seams rock solid, and if I am not mistaken....at a garage, if they work on it and put it on a lift....this is where the jack points would be. My consern is the passenger side door gap opened up a little on the back top edge, is this to be expected? I am conscidering going up another cinder block and taking the wood out, that way I'll be able to get the emergency brakes working, and clean up any other little issues with relative comfort under there. Since this is a wrag top, if There is an issue with storing it like this PLEASE give me a shout back THANKS in advance!!!!! E.M. 

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Indianapolis, IN - USA
Joined: 9/3/2006
Posts: 2431
Vette(s): Silver 1974 Convertible - L82 4 speed
Low miles (was only 8,900 when I bought it in March 2006) - Now 54K miles. Original owner bought it as an investment for son's college expenses.
2008 Jetstream Blue Convertible
I keep my convertible on the ground. I have carpet squares under the wheels and keep it covered. For the amount of time that you'll have it stored, I'm not sure getting it up off the ground is necessary.
Are you planning on working under the car this winter?
I wanted a Corvette my whole life, but I never dreamed of all the wonderful people I would meet because of it!
Former Member
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Easthampton, MA - USA
Joined: 5/27/2007
Posts: 114
Vette(s): 1970 corvette conv, 350 auto.
have to change engine mounts and fix emergency brake....plus I am a big guy...dont feel comfortable working under there without a little elbo room.
Do Not work under the car while it is up on the cinder blocks!!! This is unsafe and dangerous. The blocks are not strong and can collapse. Use rated jack stands instead. Your life is worth more then cinder blocks and wood.

I agree completely! A good set of jack stands safe, cheap insurance. sundew 2007-12-02 21:02:51
There is no substitute for low end torque!

DeBerry, TX - USA
Joined: 2/27/2002
Posts: 1006
Vette(s): 1971 383 Stroker- mille miglia red...5 speed
Definitely get jack stands! The rear point looks ok, but you should support the front suspension, like under the shock mounts. That takes the weight off the front end. Mine was on a lift for about a week where yours in supported now. I ended up with a crack running down both door jams and about a 3/4 inch gap between the front of the hood and body.
my 2 cents.

I know the voices aren't real, but they have some pretty cool ideas...
Former Member
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Easthampton, MA - USA
Joined: 5/27/2007
Posts: 114
Vette(s): 1970 corvette conv, 350 auto.
WOW!! OK guys ....its down....so much for my great idea....Guess I'll just drive it up on ramps to do the engine mounts! Thanks for all the imput!!
To get a little more elbow room under the car consider putting a piece of 2x10 under each ramp. Put a cleat at one end of the 2x10 to keep the ramp from sliding off the end while driving up. Also cut the 2x10 a little longer than the ramp to provide a step up so the front lower valance doesn't get crunched on the ramp. Gluing some rubber strips (or some other non-skid material) to the floor side of the 2x10s removes the fear of having a ramp sliding out as you're going up or coming down (had that happen before!).
For longer term projects I've jacked the front of the car up first, placed a pair of ramps under the front wheels with one pointed in the opposite direction than the other, chocked the wheels, then jacked up the rear of the car, placed a second pair of ramps under the rear wheels pointed in the same direction as the front ramps and chocked the wheels. That gets the car off the ground at a level height, it isn't going to roll off in either direction and you've got full access to the bottom of the car.
in Forum: C3 General Discussion
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