Hi there
I did all this on my '78 Spit about 6 months ago - this is what I
remember.
It is *imperative* that the door apertures are properly braced
(especially if the floor is rotten) to avoid the floor pan bending in
the middle. Leaving the doors on is a fairly good way to brace the
aperture, but doors are fairly heavy things. I got some 1" angle
section steel and made up a pair of braces that fitted between the
lock striker and the top hinge point. Did lots of measuring even
before the doors came off to make sure I wasn't bracing a gap that had
already shrunk/grown. You can get multipurpose door braces that have
a screw bit in the middle so that the total length can be adjusted
once fitted across the gap.
Once this had been done I invited 2 mates around after work on false
pretenses. The 3 of us took the strain (one on each door brace and
the other gripping the remains of the rear valance). On the count of
1,2,3 we lifted. The complete back end of the car came up! So I
disconnected the hand brake cable and we tried again. Same thing. I
was convinced all the body tub fixing bolts were out - but no.
Triumph hides 2 of them under a mastic sheet behind the front seats
(nearby the differential inspection cover). There have to be dug out
of the 20 year old goo with a chisel.
So 3 young(ish) chaps lifted the tub without doors - with the doors on
I think 4 would be needed for comfortable lifting.
Finally the tub was off. The floor area is fairly flat and can be
rested on the ground quite safely. I was really supprised to see how
good my chassis had been preserved - very little tin worm. I hope you
can say the same thing.
Since then I have been slowly stripping down the suspension and
welding on new bonnet hinge boxes. With a bit of luck I'll be sending
it all off to the sand blasting man soon to give it a good clean up.
Let us all know how it goes
Pat
Subject: Ready to pull the body off
Author: jak0pab@jak10.med.navy.mil at INTERNET-PO
Date: 27/07/98 06:38
Hello All,
In my frame off restoration I am now ready to pull off the tub (body) from
the frame. I was looking for any advice on the best way to prevent damage
to either the car or myself. The floor pans are gone and the rockers are
still there, but hurting. Should I leave the doors on to help provide
rigidity. thanks for any and all help.
Patrick Bowen
'79 Spit
|