Nomad78SA

Have to put the body on my 78 vette to relocate it to a new house, that is as soon as we find one and buy it..
Do I need to remove the radiator to set the body on or just leave it in?
Neil in Tenn

Chris@VetteFinders

I would say yes. The radiator support is really tight up against the body. The rad itself would nto be the problem, just the support.

Bans25

I know I had to with my 78/ Just too close..

scottw

Neil,
Let me know when your moving and I'll come over and help. I'll be gone the month of Feb. JRTC.
If you move in Mar let me know.
Scott

Nomad78SA

Thanks Scott for the offer,
I put the body on yesterday evening. 6 of us picked it up and placed it on the frame. I did remove the radiator support frame first and it needed to be removed. Just let the radiator lay in the engine compartment. Way to go Chris. I did break a piece of fiberglass off up where the rocker panel connects on the front pass. side. No big deal for the rocker will cover it. I will post a pic later. Also had a couple of brake lines get bent that go up to the master cylinder but again no big deal. Sure does feel good to see the vette in one piece again if you know what I mean. The headers were close where they come out from underneath the body at the rocker panel area and I may need to trim a little from there. Oh well, I still have the pull it back off to finish my work when I relocate but I know what is involved now.
The stance looks very good now with the new suspension and mounts in now. The rear sits up much higher than before. Wife always complained she could not see over the hood but it is lower than the rear now.
Neil in Tenn





[Modified by Nomad78SA, 5:53 AM 1/14/2002]

74-Roadster

TAKE SOME PICTURES!!!!!!! :D :D :D

Chris@VetteFinders

One of the guys that helped me with the body did the same thing. a hundred pounds of force on that little piece of fiberglass is plenty to snap it.

I ended up getting 6 inch bolts for mine to make the back ride lower. Did you remember to leave your front bushing bolts loose? You should not tighten them up until you drive the car around and let the a-arms settle to where they will sit, then tighten them up. Otherwise you will tear or damage the bushings.

Nomad78SA

Here you go 74 Roadster,
Remember, I only put the body on so I can relocate the car.. :yesnod:
Neil in Tenn

Chris@VetteFinders

:cool: Neil. Looks like a car again! Funny looking gas cap. :D

That's going to look very nice with those side pipes.

Dalannex

Kind of takes me back to the day I put the body back on my 81'. It's quite the feeling to see it as a whole car again isn't it? :D Even though you still need to take it back off, it's still kind of exciting to see it together. Looks like you are doing a beautiful job, and it's coming along nicely.

Oh yeah, it' doesn't really matter now, but I was going to say you have to remove the radiator support. It's just too tight to get the body over it.

Justin

Nomad78SA

Chris,
Are you talking about the front control arm bushings? Anyway, I torqued all the bushings down to the specs on the sheets that came with the suspension. I don't remember any notes on doing it some other way but did have the body off and the drivetrain out.
Dalannex,
I would of never got it in if I left the support in for sure. Kinda of wondering if I am going to have to pull the rad out to get the support back in..
Neil in Tenn


[Modified by Nomad78SA, 5:52 AM 1/14/2002]

Dalannex

I put my support in without the radiator on it. I don't know if that's how it's supposed to be done, but it was tough enough like that, I wouldn't really want to do it with the radiator on.

Chris@VetteFinders

Yes Neil, the suspension (front) needs to settle into final driving position before torqueing those bushings. Call Vansteel or Vettebrakes if you need confirmation on this. You can damage the bushings otherwise.