60 SHARK

I'm needing to remove my cover for a replacement,,, It has been suggested to cut holes in floor above the four mounting bolts for easy access,, so as not to drop the crossmember to access them.
I have done a similar thing to access fuel pumps in fuel tanks many times with great success. Just looking for your thoughts on this method.

Have you done this?

Would you do it?

doorgunner

Rookie suggestion: IF I understand what you are wanting to accomplish..........
NOT if the car has 90% or more of the original parts (even though the holes may never be noticed) don't drill.
If it is less than 90%....save yourself alot of agony and drill the holes.

riverracer au

There's a post from a couple of days ago in the Tech section that mentions a way to achieve the removal like you mentioned.

read this post #9 - last bit under "Tricky part"

sullyman56

When I replaced the differential cover on my 68 I dropped the crossmember. It’s only two bolts.

Tiger Joe

I dropped my diff by removing the 4 bolts without drilling holes. It’s tight but I used a 3/8 ratchet and deep socket and made it work

60 SHARK

Thanks guys,, I guess I'm getting lazy, but not wanting to remove more than I need to. TIGER JOE, ill try your suggestion first. Most everything I've removed from this car ('75 roadster) has come off with ease, relatively rust free under carriage, To DOORGUNNER, thus car is no longer a 90%, many upgrades, added chrome, aluminum engine parts, EFI, 5-spd, sidepipes, etc, so not apposed to putting holes in for convenience (or laziness), Thanks RIVERRACER and SULLYMAN56 for your input. I'm not wanting to remove strut bars (heim jointed) half shafts, drive shaft, crossmember, only if it can't be done without removal of them.
Hopeing to hear from someone who did cut floor, even if it was 40yrs ago when these C3's were just another car on the road.
Thanks,,,

GTR1999

My buddy,, a GM mechanic, cut the floor in his 68- 40 years ago. I didn't like that approach then nor now but what I do and what you do is up to you.
Since you asked what I would do, then I would remove the diff with the cross member - probably faster then trying to work in the tight area above the cross member. I also would not try to split the diff in the car. I would take the time to check the bushings and u-joints, pull the cover off the diff and check axle endplay- although if I went that far I would go through the diff because that's what I do.
Good luck and be safe.

ratflinger

Good time to check those 2 big rubber bushings too.

Sids04

I'd drop the x-member.. I've done it. It just seems so Bubba like to cut holes in the floor..

oldgto

Dad always said "Anything worth doing.... is worth doing right."
Cutting holes.... is not right, or GM would`ve PUT holes there for that.

Tranz Zam

I'd cut the holes. I do the same thing for fuel pump replacement on 3rd and 4th gen F-bodies

c3_dk

bigredbrad

for 30 years we have been bitching about "bubba"

and still today people are doing "bubba" fixes....


bigredbrad

68/70Vette

Even after you remove the two bolts, it's still often difficult to get the crossmember to come loose.

sullyman56

When I removed my crossmember I loosened the two bolts, but didn’t remove them. I used a long bar and popped each side loose and the crossmember dropped only as far as the loosened bolts. I unscrewed the bolts the rest of the way and the differential and crossmember came out as a unit. Mine wasn’t overly difficult to remove.

60 SHARK

funny, how Bubba did get things done tho,,,

Not saying I liked Bubba's ways,,,

I'm trying to work smarter, not harder,, so with the views posted here, I believe I will,,,

69ttop502

I used a two jaw puller on the ends of the crossmember and it popped right off. Left the bolts lightly threaded to catch it. Worked perfectly and took no time at all.

doorgunner

I have great respect for you....but I wouldn't put it past any major car company to NOT do what should have been done when there are repair profits to be made by folks who are not related to my Uncle Bubba.

oldgto

This I agree with. Although the manufacturer would not be the one collecting those profits.... it would be the dealerships doing the repairs.
HOWEVER..... more likely the manufacturer would`ve added access points well AFTER they built several thousand cars then finally learned of an access problem.

Z51JEFF

Oh hell no,only a hack would do something like this.