Getting the body off.

[pink_floyd]

Started at the front, radiator out then undo the exhaust manifold bolts. big problem, I have managed to undo 2 bolts on each side with a lot of effort. Is it posible to remove the body with the exhaust manifolds on the engine?. Any suggestions for releasing the bolts, they are damed tight.

[That Daddy]

Andy W is bound to be along soon, this stuff will be fresh in hes head,i think he had problems leaving manifolds on from memory and removed them,watch this space,good luck with the lift.

[v8sag]

If you do a search there's been a few bodies off,yes you will have to take the manifold's off,get rid of the slave cylinder line too,gives you a bit more room to get those nasty bolts off.

[andy-w]

Definately not!!!!

We tried this when we lifted my body off...If you look just below the manifold the body comes in a bit to accommodate the battery.
You cant lift the body and go back a bit either as you start to hit all sorts of parts on the rear of the chassis.

Easiest way is to get one of the people who is helping you to lift the body off to crawl under the car and undo the bolts on the manifold (Cheers Paul ).

Next time i do this i will definately take the engine out first. Makes thinngs so much easier.

If you need any help/pointers drop me an email.

Cheers and good luck!!!!!!

[pink_floyd]

I had wondered about taking the engine and gearbox out. Then I could at least get to the manifold bolts easy. I had to use an 18 inch bar to undo the front manifold bolts, using a spanner I got no where. Is there any goog way of freeing these bolts?

[jester7]

I ve taken the chassis out of my Griff by supporting the body at each end and lowering the chassis down with jacks. I took the engine and gearbox out first and stripped the front suspension down (just cause i thought it was an easier way of doing things) just remember to keep the doors shut as the body does flex a bit!!!

[v8sag]

jester7 said:

I ve taken the chassis out of my Griff by supporting the body at each end and lowering the chassis down with jacks. I took the engine and gearbox out first and stripped the front suspension down (just cause i thought it was an easier way of doing things) just remember to keep the doors shut as the body does flex a bit!!!

You can take the doors off(if needed)hovever leave the hood up to keep it taught,saying that I lifted the body on and of more than a tart's knickers with no support with not to much flexing,you just have to make sure you eliminate twist if the windscreen is still in as it's more liable to cracking.
I reckon leaving the engine in is alot easier if you can control the lifting, just my opinion.(it handy having a gantry crane though

[andy-w]

pink_floyd said:

I had wondered about taking the engine and gearbox out. Then I could at least get to the manifold bolts easy. I had to use an 18 inch bar to undo the front manifold bolts, using a spanner I got no where. Is there any goog way of freeing these bolts?

If i am ever fortunate enough to do this again i would definately take the engine out first.
I had the doors off and the roof was off as well and there was not too much flexing...but then there were about 8 of us lifting the body. You dont need this many people but it did make things a bit easier.
With the engine left in you have got to get the body over that as well.

How far are you going with this?
I have taken every part off the chassis and am going for the full shotblast/zinc spray/powder coat treatment.

[pink_floyd]

I will be taking everything off the chasis so that I can get the outriggers replaced and any thing else that needs replacing. Not sure how far to go with the chasis as far as shot blasting etc is concerned, I will decide when I can get a good look at it.
How easy is it to remove the engine and gearbox as one lump, with body on of coures.?? Or is it better to split them, I do intend replacing the clutch as the car has done nearly 50,000 miles and whilst its all apart its so easy to replace it and then it will probably do me.`

[marks3drtaz]

Having just got my griff on the road following a body off leave as much on the car as poss, just take off the starter and exhaust as this will enable easy access to the manifold bolts from underneath. Having the chassis, and, engine gearbox, etc as one will make stripdown very quick. I had my chassis ready for blasting within an afternoon and once you see your car like this it is remarkably simple to work on.

Mark