The first order of business was removing the body bolts. We presoaked all of them with PB Blaster (any good penetrating oil will do) to help the removal process. While in the air, we got a chance to survey the underside of the body and found places like this rocker panel where new metal will be needed later.The first order of business was removing the body bolts. We presoaked all of them with PB If you're swapping an aftermarket frame/chassis underneath your Bow Tie, there are some things you should know that'll help make the job go easier. If you're having a shop do the install, there are still some things to know so you can understand what the shop's doing (and why) to install your chassis. In our September '10 issue, Fatman Fabrications built a brand new chassis for our '55 hardtop project. Now the time's come for us to install the new rolling skeleton underneath our shoebox's body. Even though the chassis is specifically designed to fit underneath any '55-57 Chevy (each frame has the specific body mounts to match the body application), there are still a few things that have to be tweaked for everything to fit correctly. Our '55's original frame has seen a rough life and more than one custom driveway modification, like this mounting tab for a transmission crossmember, and a front end collision that left the front frame horn bent up.Our '55's original frame has seen a rough life and more than one custom driveway modificat While working on our XS Chevelle convertible project, the crew at Classic Automotive Restoration Specialists (CARS) was nice enough to volunteer some time and lend a hand with installing our Fatman chassis. After several ups and downs with the body on a two-post lift, everything was fitting like a glove and the way was made clear for doing some much needed metal repair work to bring our hardtop's body back to rust-free condition. The central part of the floor was found to be in really good shape despite years of sitting outside exposed to the elements. We'll be covering some specific floor brace and floorpan patching in later articles.The central part of the floor was found to be in really good shape despite years of sittin This particular mount had a new bottom bushing installed at some point over the years. Notice the difference in thickness compared to the upper bushing which is factory original.This particular mount had a new bottom bushing installed at some point over the years. Not Tri-Five Chevys are notorious for shock mounting issues. From the factory the shocks are mounted directly to the body, with the stress of driving over the years eventually tearing the sheetmetal out (circled). The piece of box steel welded to the frame is from someone making a homemade shock mount because of what happened to the original.Tri-Five Chevys are notorious for shock mounting issues. From the factory the shocks are m For removing the body bolts, if you've got an impact gun, use it! Don't strain your arms breaking loose and removing old, rusty bolts.For removing the body bolts, if you've got an impact gun, use it! Don't strain your arms b Some of the body mounts used a bolt through the top with a nut and washer underneath. A couple of the nuts were rusted enough that they rounded off when hit with the impact gun, so Tommy Barber of CARS had to break out the plasma cutter and make some sparks.Some of the body mounts used a bolt through the top with a nut and washer underneath. A co With all the bolts removed and some other miscellaneous hang-ups taken care of (including a long-forgotten battery cable leading to the trunk), the two-post lift was used to pull the body off the frame. First time since the car was built in St. Louis that they have been apart.With all the bolts removed and some other miscellaneous hang-ups taken care of (including 1 | 2 | » | View Full Article By Patrick Hill Enjoyed this Post? Subscribe to our RSS Feed, or use your favorite social media to recommend us to friends and colleagues!
