Removing Griff Body

[wygre8]

Ladies/Gents

Encourage or condemn me, but I am determined to remove the body from my Griff, mainly for full chassis treatment/restoration. I also want to remove the exhaust manaifolds, change the cam etc. All this should be easier while the body is off.
Has anyone out their produced an idiots guide to body removal or point me in the correct direction? I am an engineer, have rebuilt the odd engine and classic restoration, so a little practical knowledge and my double garage helps.
Any assistance or advice is gratefully received.

Thank You
George

[e-mail]

[chassis 33]

Have a look on the Chimaera forum, there have been a couple of thread on this subject recently. Seeing as the cars a near identical underneath I'd imagine the process would be pretty similar.

I found on my Chim that the exhaust manifolds fouled the body so they need to be removed before taking the body off...possibly...if its the same as on the Chim!!!

Regards
Iain

[wedg1e]

George: you could always WRITE the idiot's guide...

[rev-erend]

I expect someone like Steve Heath can tell you exact details
but I'm sure if you going round the car you can work it out.

It should be pretty similar for any TVR.

[wygre8]

Gents

Thank you for the responses, some interesting threads on the Chim site, so I hope my enquiries come up with some useful info.

Cheers
George

[shpub]

If you are planning to take the engine out to work on (not necessary for a cam change BTW) do so before removing the body, as it will save a lot of agro.

Keep the doors shut when removing and storing to stop the body flexing.
Take out everything you can reduce weight - seats etc.
When lifting off, the body needs to be raised at the back and moved forward slightly.
Get loads of friends to do this. The body is heavier than you think.
Leave the wheels etc on so that the chassis can be rolled away from under neath.
Remove/disconnect everything and label and/or photograph. If it is attached to the chassis, disconnect it. That includes break pipes, cooling system, handbrake cables, gear linkages, steering and so on.
Don't bother with stainless as 99% of the bolts should be hi tensile.

be prepared for extra bolts etc sopping the body coming off. Just beacuse someone says there are X bolts doesn't mean that there are. It is usually X+1!

e.g. Cerbera has around 42 bolts to remove, found 46 in practice....

[Ballistic Banana]

George, I would love to do a page with your experiences/pics on thegriffithpages.com

Heres a pic from the site of a body off shamefully I cant remember who I got it off now but it was thropugh PH so hopefully he may be able to help.. Think it was a mainlaind Europe owner?

BB

[richard olsson]

It was me who sent the picture to Simon. I live in Sweden, where we have long winters to "small" jobs like this. To lift the body like I have done, You must remove the manifolds, seatbelts, handbrake cable, radiator hoses and, two bolts at the radiator, two on top of transmisson tunnel, four behind the tank and I think it was about 12 under the floor carpet. Don´t forget to loosen the brake, fuel and clutch pipes from the chassis.
Good luck
Richard


>> Edited by richard olsson on Saturday 19th November 16:33

[Ballistic Banana]

Cheers Richard have added a short piece and some Great Pictures Here


BB

[wygre8]

Many thanks to Richard & BB. A picture tells a story much better than just words and gratefully received.

Thank You
GR