Removing the body from the frame - question

[Polishmeatballpizza]

How many point does the body contact the frame? I'm just curious.

Also, do you guys think it's possible to remove the body without hoisting it up? Maybe use several stand and jacks on the floor to lift it up and then roll the frame out from under it?

[WkillGS]

There are 14 body mounts.

If you slide the frame out sideways from the body, you won't have to lift it as high.
There are a few pics in this '66 GS eBay auction that show him putting body back on frame:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1966-Buick-Skylark-/322201400609?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&nma=true&si=oJKDfIWBgTj9ZnV8LO%252FXKN0LrZA%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

If you have an engine hoist, they work well for lifting one end of the body.

[Polishmeatballpizza]

I wouldn't be able to slide it out sideways, my garage isn't big enough. It would have to roll out the back.

I got to thinking,  since most of the car is apart, it may be a good idea to just take the body off the frame and get the frame painted. However,  the more I think about it, the more I realize it's not going to be an easy task.

[Mark Ascher]

George,

Loren & I removed the body from frame using 4x4s and cinder blocks. One 4x4 between the frame rails after the gas tank was removed,
and another under the four front body/frame mounts. Raised the body hi enough with the blocks to roll the frame out from the front.
There are pics posted here:

http://65gs.com/board/index.php?topic=20.0

Mark

[Polishmeatballpizza]

George,

Loren & I removed the body from frame using 4x4s and cinder blocks. One 4x4 between the frame rails after the gas tank was removed,
and another under the four front body/frame mounts. Raised the body hi enough with the blocks to roll the frame out from the front.
There are pics posted here:

http://65gs.com/board/index.php?topic=20.0

Mark

Looks like a lot of work. I still don't think I have the room for that.

[Buick_65]

I was able to lift the body off with an engine hoist and roll the chassis out then support the body o. 4x4's and saw horses. Then we pu casters on the 4x4's and set the body on the floor. Worked pretty good

[Mark Ascher]

George,

Remove gas tank
Disconnect steering column from box
Disconnect emergency brake
Remove body mount bolts
Front sheetmetal should be off
That is all you to do to remove the body. And the whole jacking, blocking up part.
The biggest challenge might be the corrosion factor on the mount bolts.
Thats also been done by quite a few guys. You've done a ton of work already.
If you do separate the body and frame, there are space issues with big parts.

Mark

[Polishmeatballpizza]

George,

Remove gas tank
Disconnect steering column from box
Disconnect emergency brake
Remove body mount bolts
Front sheetmetal should be off
That is all you to do to remove the body. And the whole jacking, blocking up part.
The biggest challenge might be the corrosion factor on the mount bolts.
Thats also been done by quite a few guys. You've done a ton of work already.
If you do separate the body and frame, there are space issues with big parts.

Mark

Well, it's been a while since I have been here... just getting back to working on the car. Had some other things going on, mostly with the bike.

Couple of questions, since I am seriously considering taking the body off the frame. Can I leave the doors on the car, without encountering any issues? Not sure if it being a convertible creates any other considerations.

EDIT - I take it, all the mounting points are accessed from underneath the car?

Also, not sure what the last statement above is regarding.

Thanks!

[cwmcobra]

Hi George,

Yes, all the body mount bolts are accessed from underneath.  If the chassis and body are not too rusty they will come out with some urging.  Be sure to soak them with WD-40 or equivalent for awhile before trying to break them loose.  If it breaks loose and just spins, the metal in the body around the caged nut has rusted and broken.  This happened on my car on one side under the trunk.  Had to cut a flap above in the trunk to access the nut and hold it so the bolt could be taken out.  Then weld up the "hole" in the trunk and it's invisible.

You can leave the doors on the car, but keep them closed or you run the risk of twisting the body.  We took the doors off my convertible before taking the body off the frame and fabricated angle iron braces that we bolted into the door openings to support the door and prevent buckling.

I'll let Mark comment on his earlier post.

Good luck and keep us posted on progress.

Chuck

[Mark Ascher]

George,

If you do separate the body and frame, there are space issues with big parts.

Mark

Well, it's been a while since I have been here... just getting back to working on the car. Had some other things going on, mostly with the bike.

Also, not sure what the last statement above is regarding.

Thanks!

A disassembled car take up a lot of space! When you blow the car car all apart, you'll need storage and work space for everything,
not to mention making sure it's all organized (shelving, etc) so you know how to screw it back together. Just trying to help.

Mark

[TrunkMonkey]

You could always hang a valve...

Should have that body off in about 2 seconds.

[Mark Ascher]

Thats not what I meant by "blow the car all apart."

lol.

Mark

[elagache]

Dear George, Chuck, Mark, TrunkMonkey, and mid-60s Buick "do-it-yourselfers"

Nice to have you back George!  We missed ya'!

You could always hang a valve...

. . . Well, Mayb'  But I reckon that's goin' about it da' HARD way!! . . . . 

Cheers, Edouard 

[Polishmeatballpizza]

Thats not what I meant by "blow the car all apart."

lol.

Mark

Ok. I got it.

[TrunkMonkey]

Thats not what I meant by "blow the car all apart."

lol.

Mark

Note to self...