Roothawg's hypothetical ? of the day...

[Roothawg]

As you guys know, one of the projects that took a back seat to the Fly was my Fleetline.

I have got the bug to get back on it so I have started collecting parts etc. Here's the dilemma.
I had a running driving car and basically it's down for a motor,tranny and rear end change plus paint and a few other custom items, grill etc.

Now I was looking at the post where Rocket88 posted pics of his fastback all the way down to the frame. I normally do all my cars this way but I wasn't gonna do it. I was gonna take the easy way out. Long story short the car is down to just the body bolts and removing the column and it could be off the frame and accessible.

Would you tackle removing a body this size or just leave it grungy underneath?

It would be faster to leave it but if I am this close...... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

[Elrusto]

Ah hell,just put it together and drive man!! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[40StudeDude]

What're you planning to do with it...show it or drive it...if simply drive...don't go to the trouble...if you want a super car show queen...finish the job...
However...I've NEVER gone to that much trouble...on any of my cars...when the car sets way too low, no one can see the underside of it anyway! I build my cars for highway miles...and they're gonna get dirty doing that!!!
R-

[Roothawg]

That's what I wanna do but the Devil on my shoulder tells me to strip it....

[Tinbender]

I can't stop from going to far. Sometimes it sucks. Seems I never get my own stuff done.

[roadstar]

Do you ever want to drive it again?

[40StudeDude]

Devil or angel...hmmmm, think that was the name of a song way back when...who do you listen to the most Root?
And do you have the time to do it that way?
R-

[Roothawg]

I wanna drive it for a daily but it is always easier to keep a clean ainted car up, or at least that what I keep telling myself.

Yeah, it will be low as well. Just hard to stop ya know. Not much on patina.......

[Unkl Ian]

Life is short.
Too short to be waxing the bottom of a car where nobody will ever see.

[chromedRAT]

question is what needs done under there. i have floor rust to fix, new brake and fuel line to run, not to mention the new coil rear end i put in the 50 pontiac. for me, it made alot of sense to get my first car done as right as i could, so i did it. then again i have an ohio car, graged sicne 74, but still an ohio car. if yours is solid, might not be a big deal. plus, my frame looks nice sitting bare in john deere green while i'm working on it.

[40StudeDude]

[ QUOTE ]
I wanna drive it for a daily but it is always easier to keep a clean painted car up,

[/ QUOTE ]

Yep, won't that be fun for the first six months of Oklahoma rain storms...ohhh, forgot...that's all summer long down there! And then there's those occasional ice storms and sometimes snow!!! What? Snow? Yeah, winter's remember? And Root's laying on his back in his garage wiping down his painted frame...and the slush and water is dripping in his eyes...gaaaaaaggggggg, arrrrrgh, oh yeah, OK City's streets are soooooooo clean there won't be any dirt or grime accumulating..."why'd I do this?"

Yeah...WHY???
R-

[JimC]

Root, here is my answer!

[JimC]

Getting the frame and underneath side of the body cleaned, painted, makes for more eficient cleaning and repairs, if needed.
If you drive it, it will ned maintenance.
Clean is easier to work on.

[lulabelle]

The stuff I found when I took the body off on my 51 was scary!Make it right!

[hatch]

If it is that close to removal, I'd say remove it. If you have to do any frame service....ball joints, tie rod ends, control arm bushings, exhaust, wiring, hard line, brake lines, etc, it's much easier on the old body(human) with the car body off. Just my uninformed, inexperienced, biased, bigoted, know nothing,loud mouth, snot nosed adult, dipshit opinion.

[Tman]

Do it right, pull the body. If you really bust ass, you can have the frame and underside cleaned/painted in one weekend. I prefer the look of a black satin single stage enamel. You will than yourself later on.

[jay]

Root, you have been sniffing to much of the racing fuel for the fly. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif put that bad boy together and drive it.Like my uncle always tells me keep the shiny side up and the rubber on the ground. you cant see whats underneath if its low enough.

[chopolds]

Pull the body. It just makes it ten times easier doing what you have to do on any old car to make it really road worthy!
Think about it...repairing chassis rust, running brake and fuel lines, front end rebuild, rear end work, maybe C'ing the rear, repairing body mounts, floor pans, etc. All much easier when the body is off.
And then give it a quick POR-15 on the chassis and floor pans, hit the floors with some good rubberized undercoat, or even Bedliner, and you have a car that's ready for anything the road will give it. Not 'showbiz' looking, either. I DRIVE my cars, and this makes them safe, protected, and easy to clean if you need to go under to do a major fix. A quick wash at the car wash, or with a home power washer, and you're ready to wrench, without getting filthy (not that that's a bad thing!)

[tommy]

Set your goal and stick to it!
Do you want a driver or do you want a show car that you don't want to drive when the weather is looking bad? The "While I'm at it" syndrome can turn a decent driver into a perpetual garage project.

Perfectionists don't drive. It's never good enough.

A power washer and a wire brush can do wonders on the underside. Semi-flat black on the frame and suspension with a freash coat of under coat on the sheet metal looks great and is useable.

If you want to drive be very careful. A quick project can spiral into a major project quick-sand pit. Then you have 2 major projects. Is that what YOU want? I think we all go through this. I learned my lesson. One major project at a time.

[JimC]

Root, there is a shop in Carthage, Mo. that powdrcoats frames for around $175.00
That is what is going to happen to the frame on the "Coopy Doopy Doo{(TM)!
(AKA the Roothawg or Die Coupe)
It is going to be a driver as in "Second car"
I had the frame of the 62 sandblasted by a local tank and tower repair facility.
Took it to the abut 10:00 am., had primer on it by 3:00 pm..
Black paint by 6:00 pm(Mzn! I love the "dry time").
Jim

[RC]

JimC, whose front cross member and A arms do you have on that frame?

[Rocket88]

Root, I have to admit that pulling the body was not part of my original plan.
My original plan was a motor tranny swap, bag it, clean it up a bit and drive it. I pulled the motor and tranny and the nose off the car. Did the bag installation front and rear and rebuilt the front suspension. So there it sat the frame was shiny black from the firewall forward all ready to go. I was laying under it one day trying to clean up the bottom side of the floor and the frame. I realized that no matter what, it wasn't going to look as good as the front. It was only another 12 bolts and the body cam off the frame, the tank was already out so I could get it boiled out.
In hind sight I'm glad I did it. It's been alot easier working on it when you don't have to lie on your back.
Besides, you've seen my dad's car. Everyone knows him, he's had old cars his whole life. What I do will reflect on him, I feel a certain pressure to do the job right!

[raven]

Root,
I took the body off my Fleetline and did all of the above mentioned stuff (except c'ing the frame and bags).
Do all the stuff chopolds explained and you will have a great daily driver that will last a long time without the need for repairs.
do it and you'll be glad you did in the long run.

JimC, do you have the name and phone number of the powder-coating place in Carthage?
r

[Roothawg]

Hey Rocket, you ever get any pics of the doors on your bro's car?

[Roothawg]

IF I decide to pull the body off.
What's the easiest way to do it.? I don't have an A Frame....yet. I may build one for this purpose.

[Rocket88]

Was gunna try to get over there this weekend. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

[Donzie]

[ QUOTE ]
....Just my uninformed, inexperienced, biased, bigoted, know nothing,loud mouth, snot nosed adult, dipshit opinion.


[/ QUOTE ]
I respect a man who knows himself. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Personally, I'd say leave it. If a guy's got his head under my car, he deserves to get run over. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Roothawg]

Another thing to throw into the mix is that I have another project waiting in the wings. I would rather see it on the road personally.

[G V Gordon]

Root, Around here we use camper jacks. I have seen it done a couple ways. One with a wooden trestle built to go through the car or two, the way I did it on my 50 Buick fastback was a set of jacks with longer angle iron welded to the jack under the rockers and a chain through the car just to keep them from slipping out. Had the body off the Buick several times by myself. Check with Twisted Okie about possibly borrowing his jacks. I have seen them used pretty cheap.

[Smokin Joe]

[ QUOTE ]
IF I decide to pull the body off.
What's the easiest way to do it.?

[/ QUOTE ]
About 6 friends and a couple cases of GOOD beer should do it.

Take a real good look at the frame and floorpan rust. Does it NEED to come apart? For a driver, I'd only take it apart that far if it made fixing things easier. I would however completely go thru all the suspension, brakes, lines, wiring etc. Easier to do that now than a year from now in East Podunk on a rainy Sunday night.

[JimC]

Raven, I do not have the name or number, but have talked to folks that have had it done.

Gary Maddox, who will do the blasting on my frame knows the shop and I can get the name from Gary.

I will be in Eau Claire, Wisc. this weekend, but if you will remind me on Sunday evening of Monday, I will get the name and number for you.
WZ Junk may know if he comes by here.

JIm

[JimC]

Roothawg, about taking the body off the frame?
Do not use a chain through the windows and around the top. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Jim

What I did on the 62 is work and takes a little time. But it is cheap.

I had the doors, rear deck lid and front clip off the car. I left the back glass and windshield in for some strength.

I placed a 4x4 the width of the body between the frame and against the floor pan. I used a floor jack to taise one end a little. I, then blocked that end and went to the other end and did the same. I raised a little at a time on each end to keep the body twisting to a minimum or not all at all If i could help it.

When I had the body lifted enough to get the frame from underneath the car, I used condrete blocks and longer 4x4 (between the body and frame) to hold the body.

I took the rear wheels off the and placed the floor jack under the center section in line with the center of the body and let it down as close to the floor as I could get it with out it dragging. This allows the rear arch of the frame move just under the body.

I used the front wheels in a hand over hand maneuver to roll the chassis from under the body, and of course, to aid in steering. The floor jack under the rear follows, nicely.

Al in all, it took me about an hour and a half and one six pack.(well maybe a little longer) http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Did I mention I took a break from all that hard wurk?
Jim

[Roothawg]

I may build a set of Camper styled jacks like GV mentioned. I used to have set but I got rid of em. I have a couple of winches I can use. This would be better than building an A frame even if I don't pull the body off of this one.

[Roothawg]

[ QUOTE ]
Was gunna try to get over there this weekend. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Cool, how bout some more pics of your frame up close. I am still contemplating this. Sorry guys if I am wearing on you..

Did ya bag both frt and rear? Curious about tranny tunnel clearances too.

[Rocket88]

Bagged front and rear, had to raise the tunnel under the back seat by 3/4".
Look here for a few pics.
http://photo.starblvd.net/rocket88?st=album&pg=0

[Roothawg]

Great pics 88.....I KNOW I don't wanna go that far.

Thanks

[Rocket88]

Now you know why I did it though. That Olds chassis is open all the way. Plus with that big X member in the center, it was really tough to get in there and give it a good cleaning.
Your Fleetline will be much easier. That top hat style frame and no major cross members, cleaning it and the floor pan will be a whole lot easier. Just get in there with a wire wheel on the end of your angle grinder!
Happy grinding!! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[HOTRODPRIMER]

Ya might as well pull the body,,I wasn't going to pull the body on the Ranch-Wagon,,,,but it just made it easier to do the frame work standing up instead of laying on my back. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif HRP

[48dreams]

Let me know what you need i may have some parts for your 48 to make it runAs you guys know, one of the projects that took a back seat to the Fly was my Fleetline.

I have got the bug to get back on it so I have started collecting parts etc. Here's the dilemma.
I had a running driving car and basically it's down for a motor,tranny and rear end change plus paint and a few other custom items, grill etc.

Now I was looking at the post where Rocket88 posted pics of his fastback all the way down to the frame. I normally do all my cars this way but I wasn't gonna do it. I was gonna take the easy way out. Long story short the car is down to just the body bolts and removing the column and it could be off the frame and accessible.

Would you tackle removing a body this size or just leave it grungy underneath?

It would be faster to leave it but if I am this close...... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

[Terry]

Root,
I would have always said that if your that far go ahead and pull the body off. BUT that was before I built Slick, I had the idea to just build a Shop truck and no worries about mud, scratches, etc. And thats what I did. Now after 7500 miles since July I know I made the right choice.

Coming home from Ohio we drove in rain, then the rear seal started leaking, then we made trips up to Bob's (I have NEVER seen so many bugs in one radiator!), Then I filled the driveway with the trailer and had to start parking in the back, which means driving down the alley. On and on it goes

I go by the car wash spray what I can reach under there and hit the road again. True freedom! I tell you if your really going to drive it, try it once and you'll like it dirty.

[VonXulu]

How is this question hypothetical? Just pull the body off the friggin' frame already Ha! You will be glad you did later anyhow.

[dragrcr50]

Yo,Root........ do you want to make a way kool keeper out of it or is it worth a frame off for resale? or are you just anal.???

Pull the body off and have the chassis ready in no more than 2 weeks and get it back together dont just keep looking for stuff to do while its off, or it'l take forever.

by the way I bought a 49 fastback in tuttle today for resale, pretty complete... be seein ya .............sw

[choprods]

Old post huh????:D

I'd say this- it can be cleaned all over under ther with the body bolted on....only under the bolts/washers, would be left -and they are usually still black paint under there when removed on most....It will be fine!