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Topic: Jacking Points on 81 Vette

in Forum: C3 General Discussion


Jacking Points on 81 Vette

Posted: 1/2/12 9:31am Message 1 of 10
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Stanley, NC - USA
Joined: 8/9/2010
Posts: 91
Vette(s): 1981, dark blue w/carmel interior. 350 stock, auto tranny, Q-jet carb, ECM box
   This may seem dumb but looking under the rear of my 1981 vette the exhaust is running right in the area of the rear housing so putting a jack there to lift rearend off floor is not going to happen unless there is supposed to be some special lift device to fit up between the exhaust....so is there one and if so where can it be obtained?
  If this center rear is not a recommended lifting point then only option to get both rears off floor is lifting from each side in front of rear tires? To do this would men by one self to lift small amount on each side then go to other side and lift a small amount and repeat until desired height is obtained? Also doing this would have the jack now sitting where the jack stands should go or placed the stands more to the center of the car?


|UPDATED|1/2/2012 9:31:37 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|



Tommy
 
   
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Re: Jacking Points on 81 Vette

Posted: 1/2/12 10:30am Message 2 of 10
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Lehighton, PA - USA
Joined: 8/24/2011
Posts: 30
Vette(s): 1981 Silver
You know I had the same kind of questions and after reviewing what and where to lift the car (an '81) I thought I would go cautiously and do as you suggested.
 
I lifted the car with a floor jack (on the frame) and then supported the rear of the car (one side at a time) with stands under the frame, close to the trailing arm attach points.
 
It worked well and the car has been off the ground (all four) for a few months now.
 
I will try to take a couple pics tonight and forward them on.



Re: Jacking Points on 81 Vette

Posted: 1/2/12 11:11am Message 3 of 10
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Re: Jacking Points on 81 Vette

Posted: 1/2/12 4:00pm Message 4 of 10
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Rockland, MA - USA
Joined: 1/30/2003
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Vette(s): 76, L48, 4spd & 09, LS3, 6spd
I find the easiest way is to lift the entire side - use a floor jack placed on the frame where the cross member meets. Get one side in the air, put a stand in front of the rear wheel and at the back of the front wheel. Go to the other side do same - very easy and quick, although these days the stands must go pretty high for me to get my rolls to roll under it. Good luck!


 

 

Re: Jacking Points on 81 Vette

Posted: 1/2/12 8:50pm Message 5 of 10
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20229
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Willis76 said: I find the easiest way is to lift the entire side - use a floor jack placed on the frame where the cross member meets. Get one side in the air, put a stand in front of the rear wheel and at the back of the front wheel. Go to the other side do same - very easy and quick, although these days the stands must go pretty high for me to get my rolls to roll under it. Good luck!


That's Ed Zachary how I does it....Thumbs Up



Joel Adams
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Re: Jacking Points on 81 Vette

Posted: 1/2/12 9:18pm Message 6 of 10
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Hillsboro, TX - USA
Joined: 3/2/2008
Posts: 148
Vette(s): 1981 beige/bronze
Like all who own a c3 I have had my 81 on stands a few times. From side to side is the easiest way I have found. I read somewhere about cracking the fiberglass if you torque the car too much. So, I always loosen the t-tops and open the doors before jacking it. I don't know if this is really necessary, someone with more knowledge about this please chime in.




Re: Jacking Points on 81 Vette

Posted: 1/3/12 6:05am Message 7 of 10
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20229
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Like everyone else, I have heard the rumors about damaging the t-tops, doors, windshield, etc, from jacking a Shark car, or putting one on a lift. Honestly, I've never seen one damaged. I've had mine in the air hundreds of times, as well as had others elevated, with no problems. I never open the doors, or pop the tops. If you have glass tops, it might be a good idea to remove them, sure...just in case. My '85 has the glass targa top, and it's been in the air plenty, too...no cracks on it, either.
I think the biggest thing for me is...if the frame/body on a car flexes enough to cause all these problems we've heard about over the years, then there is prolly something else going on with the car...maybe previous frame/body damage, rust, etc.
That being said, you should do what makes you comfortable when jacking your own car.Thumbs Up


|UPDATED|1/3/2012 6:05:48 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|



Joel Adams
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Re: Jacking Points on 81 Vette

Posted: 1/3/12 11:11am Message 8 of 10
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Oak Creek, WI - USA
Joined: 5/21/2008
Posts: 1965
Vette(s): 1981 Great White Shark. Red Interior, 350/190 hp. PS, PB (SS), A/C CC, T-Tops. Served three years in Active Duty Army, then Retired Air Force after 34 years! Badger State Vettes Car Club. 175,000 Original miles!! Now own a 1998 C-5!
2tonevette1981 said: Like all who own a c3 I have had my 81 on stands a few times. From side to side is the easiest way I have found. I read somewhere about cracking the fiberglass if you torque the car too much. So, I always loosen the t-tops and open the doors before jacking it. I don't know if this is really necessary, someone with more knowledge about this please chime in.



That is correct!!  We gotta be careful of the fiberglass !!!  Just take your time and do it one side at a time if you gotta have the whole car raised !!!
Dan



Re: Jacking Points on 81 Vette

Posted: 1/3/12 11:25am Message 9 of 10
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Stanley, NC - USA
Joined: 8/9/2010
Posts: 91
Vette(s): 1981, dark blue w/carmel interior. 350 stock, auto tranny, Q-jet carb, ECM box
   Okay to make sure I understand what has been posted......it is okay to go slow but to raise one whole side of the car jacking from mid-point and then place 2 jacks under frame on that side and then lower and move to other side and do the same?
  
   So jacking up one side only first will not cause enough flex in fiberglass to damage..unless there is something wrong that isn't suppose to be.
   And also recommended to remove glass tops from car before jacking from side?
 
  Thanks for all the replies.....I would cry if damaged my baby.....we protect these vettes to the fullest but it is worth it to keep these classics on the road.



Tommy
 
   

Re: Jacking Points on 81 Vette

Posted: 1/3/12 3:07pm Message 10 of 10
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Rockland, MA - USA
Joined: 1/30/2003
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Vette(s): 76, L48, 4spd & 09, LS3, 6spd
Hi Tommy - even if I'm only raising the front, I often lift the whole side. It's just easier to place the stands w/o having to deal with the jack being in the way. If you are concerned about cracking / flexing, go ahead and unlatch the doors, hood, tops and etc. As always, safety first for you - and have fun.


 

 

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