Lifting the body

[MonkeykingZX]

I've had a quick google and there are a few sources on doing this, however, I was just wondering whether anyone had a definitive guide to lifting the body off and if there are any tips/tricks that people have discovered over the years to make this process easier/smoother?

[Wedg1e]

Don't forget to disconnect everything...?
Bit hard to be specific as it depends what facilities/ how much space you have, what's your toolkit like, how many mates does it take etc.etc.
At it's simplest it's a case of jacking each end up in turn and disconnecting everthing you can reach.
Remove/ cut all bolts securing the shell, decide how to get hold of the shell and away you go.
Some folk have done it in a single garage, hoisting the shell straight up to allow work on the chassis; some used a gang of mates and left the shell on the lawn, personally I'd be using my electric hoists and rolling the chassis out from under...

[Grady]

What about bracing the doors? I think that is also important. Grady

[Hamish400]

I have a list of thing to disconnect etc. and the sequence I used when lifting the body off my 400SE some years ago. I will forward it to you when I get home later in the week.
Rgds
Hamish

[MonkeykingZX]

@Wedg1e: Lots of tools and an 18ft x 20ft garage, so lots of space aswell! I've organised a fair few people, I've seen six for lifting and a spotter before. Do we know how much the fibreglass shell weighs on average?

@Grady: Thanks will bare that in mind.

@Hamish400: That would be very much appreciated mate.

[Hamish400]

The story of the body removal/chassis renewal on my 400SE was posted by Duncan Simey on The SEAC Pages.

Link - http://www.theseacpages.co.uk/bodyoff.html.

You will have a few differences eg. separate door sills (they are part of the body on a 400SE).
There may be other differences.
However, the article should give you guidance for checks of things to disconnect.

The things I would do differently next time:-
1. Paint underside of body a light colour.
2. Powder coat suspension parts (rather than Hammerite)
3. Take more photos (or be more organised in photo taking) at different stages - especially photos showing routing of cables etc around the engine bay. This helps with reassembly aspects such as "does this wire go over (or under) that hose or bracket or bit?"

Hope all goes well for you.
Rgds
Hamish