Never did bodywork on '71 vette, how to change body....

sc2dave

Member
I have a '71 that I believe a'74 body was swapped over to. It has some ugly flares on it. What I want to do is buy an aftermarket full body to go back to a'71. I have never worked on a Vette. It will be a full 1 piece front end. How do I remove the '74 body? I know it's not like other Chevies where it's all bolts holding it together. do you think that I can sell the '74 for a decent price?
 
first , welcome too the web site!
next
several clear pictures of the car, from several angles, from, inside and outside,
and from under the car with it on a lift and with the hood and doors open and closed, would be very helpful
 
Welcome to Grumpy’s sc2dave,
I have a ‘71 coupe too. That’s a pretty ambitious project and you will need a lot more working space than your average repair needs. If you don’t have a lift or an overhead beam with a block and tackle you will need a good 2 ton (2.5 or 3 ton is better) engine hoist, and a few large pairs of heavy duty jack stands. There is also some woodwork you can use but that will be one of many informational links that will be soon posted.

You present 2 ideas, one to restore, the other to sell. We really need to see the condition of the car you are working with.
The best case, one that makes the most sense is how good all else is besides the body because labor and parts to bring back a true 1971 Corvette can get costly and very time consuming. Please post as many photos of your car as possible inside and out, engine and (undercarriage if possible). We can get a good approximation of value after a good review of your car.

This is my 1971

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just a minor head ache , I took a couple asprin, should be fine in 20 min.
 
Eklers is a popular retailer of stock and custom appearance Corvette body components.
Another thing that good pictures will help - can the fender flares be reversed as well as the front and rear bumpers Without going through all the work a complete body exchange requires?
 
Thanks Grumpy, however as you are well aware, many don’t realize this is just the tip of the iceberg when removing a body off a Corvette. Besides about 3 dozen things to do these old bodies are no longer forgiving to some stress. It’s so easy to crack something, many don’t even mention because they’re doing paint and bodywork anyway.
I plan to outline the “Disconnect” process this morning and hunt down some visual aids.
 
There are a couple of different ways to strengthen a C3 Corvette frame and have the work hidden while the body is off.
Need to be able to bend Chrome Moly Roll cage tubing and TIG weld it in.
 
Body Removal Checklist

Special notes: Prior to removal, pre-soak all rusty nuts and bolts including the body/chassis bolts.
Use zip lock baggies to save small hardware parts and document details on tape stuck on bags - where it came from on car


1. Battery - Disconnect only
2. Steering Column - Disconnect and remove
3. Master Cylinder - Disconnect lines only
4. Clutch Rod pedal - Disconnect wire clip only
5. Back up light plug - Disconnect only
6. Acceleration rod and ground straps - Disconnect only
7. Oil pressure line, big and small block - Disconnect only
8. Engine Wires:
• Temperature sending unit - Disconnect only
• Coil wires + and - - Disconnect only
• Brake warning wire, 1967 only - Disconnect only
• Alternator wires - Disconnect only

9. Distributor Tachometer Drive Unit - Disconnect only
10. A-Frame dust covers - Remove from under A-arm
11. Hood - Remove from car
Headlight assemblies -Remove from car
12. Shifter ball and T-Handle - Remove
13. Side pipe covers or rocker moldings - Remove
14. Front bumpers and braces - Remove
14.5 Radiator and Condensor - Remove
14.7 AC Condensor from bracket and secure to body to avoid opening and having to recharge
15. Starter wires - Disconnect and remove
16. Splash shields, large and small - Remove
17. License plate trim - Remove
18. Rear exhaust panel - if glued on, roll chassis back 18” to 22” to avoid hanging up - Remove
19. Gas tank sending unit wires, remove the over-flow cup and drain tube -
Disconnect and remove
20. Antenna, wire and ground strap - Disconnect and remove
21. Seats - Remove. Seat belt anchors, left, right and center - Disconnect and remove
22. Emergency brake cable - Disconnect
23. Body mount, rear access door covers - Remove
24. Ground strap, left front body mount - Remove
25. Radiator core support bolts, lower only - Remove
25.5 Disconnect heater hoses from engine, secure to body
26. All body mounts - Remove
 
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once again, thank you! most of the new guys need guidance and most of the old guys ,
may have been through the process several times,
but damn few take the time and effort to help teach the younger generation,
(one reason I started this web site):D
I hoped I could help the new guys avoid all the bad info and wasted time and effort required to learn by trial & error.:(
 
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