LT1 Chevelle update: body is off
 

http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/da.../bodylift1.JPG
As you can see, the body is off, and I'm way past the point of no return. It makes me a little nervous having only 2.5 months to the deadline, and still this much work to do. I'll be spending the next 2 weeks cleaning, welding, and coating the floor pans with POR-15, and a layer of "Lizard Skin". My goal is to have the body on the new frame in no more than 3 weeks so I can focus on wiring the LT1, and reassembling the car so it can be ready for the wedding.

I lifted it myself using 2 cherry-pickers, and a rectangular steel tube going through the side windows. From the tube, there are chains going down to the seatbelt bolts. It was balanced nearly perfect. I also made 6 stilts 12" high that attach at the body-mounts. This makes it very easy to work under, and takes the weight off the hoists. (which I left hooked up for additional support in-case it would tip off the stilts)

The rust on the floor-pans isn't too bad, only a few minor holes, but some of the braces are pretty bad. I'll have to do some welding on those... no time to completely replace them. I spent most of today under the car with a propane torch and a putty-knife removing under-coat.

That's a big step. Now you can really see what you are working with, glad to hear it is not too bad. Once a car is stripped down like that there really isn't anywhere left to go but back together! Good luck with the process, enjoy it, and keep us posted.

Tim

Looking good :thumbsup:

Derek,


Man it is sure is coming a long. Looks good! I bet you will be seeing a lot of afternoons and long weekends in the shop for the next two months. I think it is cool what your doing. I think it would make a cool feature in a mag seeing all your work to get it completed. Make sure and get plenty of wedding pics by the car!

I see taking some vacation days in my future, which is OK, since I only used one of my 3 weeks last year, so I've got 5 weeks this year :yes: . If a magazine wanted my story, I'd certainly put together a nice article when I'm done. I'm writing articles for the Northstar Chevelle Club newsletter about my build, so it would be easy to put it together as one, and forward it on to anyone who would want to publish it.

The wedding photographer will be instructed to get some pics of the smoky burnout leaving the church. There will be video too :thumbsup: