Will be lowering 70 GS body back on the freshly painted rolling chassis this weekend. I didn't make any markings before I removed it. Any tips to get it back on square? I imagine lower it and measure size side to side? What about front to back as I am sure that makes a difference for core support/fender alignment etc. Thanks
Nope, there are two factory locating holes in the frame and body. One on the left rear corner and the right front. Use a large drift pin. That's how the factory did it
You can use a 1/2 piece of rebar about 15" long if you do not have a drift pin. It will not be as good as the drift pin is tapered. Use the points that Jay said then measure / measure.
oldie but a goodie _____________ Crap, I thought you already had the body back on. I would have loaned you this one when you were here. ........... .
I don't have my Buick assembly manual handy but here is the '69 Pontiac assembly manual page that shows the alignment holes (Body Drift Holes) that are intended for properly aligning the body when setting it onto the frame. Using these holes as intended makes it pretty simple to drop it in the right place the first time.
Ok, no time today to lower it but this is my plan..... My brother has this cone shaped pry bar which is perfect for the front and made this guide for the rear out of a M16 2.00 bolt. This bolt was the longest they had and wish the threads went all they down so I could "bolt" it to the frame to secure it as I lower it, but it will work. A floor jack with wood support in the rear and engine hoist in the front.... just got to hunt down my chains or tow strap and figure out how to not mess up the firewall as I lower it... wish me luck.... why I haven't bought a lift after all these years I don't know haha. Oh and I have a new parking brake cable. Is it easier to install before I lower the body down? Thanks.
I just did this a couple months ago..I had both body shells jacked up and ready. I removed the frame from the 72 body and then pushed the frame under the white body Took me about 3 1/2 hours to have the frame removed from one car and properly secured to the other car.But, I have done this several times too..Take your time and things will go well..
Just drop the body on the frame...... Then snug up the bolts loosely...... There is absolutely no reason to tighten them.... YOU will be a moving the body on the frame in the assembly process the front fenders,,,, Hood,,, and doors.....Once lined up ONLY then tighten the bolts to a firm snugness..... Then you can remove the doors ETC to put in the interior,,, Motor ETC ETC. Most import thing is Quit over thinking........ I live outside of Everett WA... You should see the idiots that Boeing employ's to build air planes.......99% of them can't read a tape measure... Or change a flat tire...
To get close, before I lowered the body back onto the 72, I dropped a plumb bob off the body at the two factory alignment holes mentioned above. Once they were lined up to the plumb bob, I just lowered the body and everything went together without any issue. Entire process took less than an hour.
Yep haha. That's how I lifted it. It was pretty sketchy raising the front a few inches/foot with the same wood, raised the back a few inches/foot at a time a time etc.
Thanks Jason for making me rethink the jack. Ended up using a come-along from the rafters. Still not the best but worked well. She's back on the frame.. The entire few months she was either on blocks or on the rotisserie made me a little uncomfortable so can sleep better at night now. Thanks for all your help and thanks again Nelson for letting me borrow the rotisserie...
