Lifting the Z question.

[phrogs]

Originally Posted by Blue Flame Restorations

Windshields are "float" installed, meaning that they are set in Butyl. As the car flexes, the windshield butyl acts as a pillow or sorts.

Think of your house window in a fixed frame vs a window set in frame of silicone. The windshield also has a laminate between the panes.

A cracked windshield from jacking the car on only one point would be an anomoly.

YUP!!




I have owned C4 corvettes (many of them) since 1995 and have always jacked them up a corner at a time, on the frame then set them down on jackstands.

Done it every way imaginable and never once have I damaged a car.

Had them one on jacks for 9 months straight when I was in Iraq.

nope never broke a window!

[vilant]

I thought the cracking the windshield occured when you didn't have the top in, as it is a structural component of the car.



Very nice lifting techniques, Dyno (especially the wood ramp, cheap and easy). Does that pipe scratch up any parts or do you stick a block of wood between the pipe and the car?

[Paul Workman]

Originally Posted by Blue Flame Restorations

Windshields are "float" installed, meaning that they are set in Butyl. As the car flexes, the windshield butyl acts as a pillow or sorts.

Think of your house window in a fixed frame vs a window set in frame of silicone. The windshield also has a laminate between the panes.

A cracked windshield from jacking the car on only one point would be an anomoly.

JMO, one of my pet peeves w/the Discount Tire is their policy(?) Of opening the doors and popping the hood prior to lifting a (Vette). Seems to me that would maximize frame flexing and "cracking the 'fiberglass' " thus exaserbating the "risk" instead of minimizing it.

I dunno. I wonder sometimes if the potential for (cracking) is overblown. Course first time I crack something I may have a new opinion.

Thoughts?

P.

[Blue Flame Restorations]

Paul, I think you're right. Just lore of old. I've had shops tell me about cracking a Vette when they didn't pop the doors open and loosen the T-tops. Of course, this was way back in 78 when I bought my 69.

[HAWAIIZR-1]

Great lifting tips Cliff! About the rear, I bought this gadget about 10 years ago but used it only once I think: http://www.corvettegadgetman.com/products3.html

Your pipe idea looks like a good lower cost option and I might build a set of the wooden ramps; thanks for sharing.

Craig

[HAWAIIZR-1]

Originally Posted by Dynomite

You are very welcome...I was getting worried about you

The pipe seems to be safer as it is captured between the leaf spring bolts, exhaust and tire cover. If you jack has a circular cupped plate approximately 5 inches in diameter (most 3 ton floor jacks have a cupped plate that the pipe sits in perfectly).

That makes sense to me.

[RICKYRJ1]

Originally Posted by Dynomite

No wood on top of pipe.....for me.....I will touch it up if I see anything with can of black spray paint
The area is almost too small to place a piece of wood on top of the pipe.

Just get a rag, fold it over a couple of times (to make it thicker/softer) and lay it on the top of the lifting pipe. You'll never have to worry about scratches. I do it al the time with my car, I even have a piece of 2x4 wrapped in a microfiber I use when lifting at the front cross member

[scottfab]

Originally Posted by Dynomite

Does your hood not match up to the side fender ?
I know it's not down all the way but wow.

[Scrrem]

Originally Posted by Dynomite

Yes.....4 inch outside diameter and 3/8 inch wall thickness.
5 inches long section of what is normally called Extra Strong Pipe.
You can use thinner wall pipe if you want but I Like the weight.

Any Steel place that sells steel of any kind should carry 4 inch outside diameter pipe.

You can get the 2x12 (2x10 is lighter) lumber at any lumber yard and they will cut it in 36 inch, 24 inch, 18 inch lengths for you as you like. Screw the three sections of ramp together using deck screws.

Is the jacking point being used in the rear the fiberglass spring or the aluminum mount that hold the spring?

[Z51JEFF]

I made a few aluminum pads and attatcthed some polyethylene plastic to that.Anything that comes in contact with the car is hard plastic.[IMG][/IMG]