Frame off restoration

[Rags63]

I have started a restoration on a 63 that has been passed down I originally pulled the body to weld in a new rear crossmember. One thing led to another and now in the process of a full restoration. Things i have done so far. Striped the frame down painted it. All new suspension bushing front and rear new hardware rebuilt rear end 

My plan is to run new break/fuel lines finish up the steering tuner disk breaks front and rear new exhaust.

Looking for some advice on things to do before putting the body on. Also what should I use for rubber between the body and frame? Any advice is greatly appreciated thank you here are some photos of the progress 

[grant mills]

It is great to see the start of a restoration with fresh and newly painted parts ready for installation.  I also have a question that I posted elsewhere but still don't have an answer for.  Would you be able to tell me the height of the arc of rear leaf springs? That is, with the spring ends sitting on the ground, curve up, what is the distance from the center (connection point to frame) to the ground?  I would like to replace the current "flat" springs on my 1984, and there is a spring manufacturer close enough that will build them to specs..all of which I have except for the uninstalled height of the leaf spring. I know that EatonDetroitSpring has them, but It would be double the cost of a local manufacturer after Canadian $ exchange and shipping.

[64StudebakerAvanti]

On an Avanti, the body to frame shims are steel. The only rubber ones are just over each muffler on either side of the X member. There should be 4 rubber shims. I am guessing that was to keep the floor pan away from the hot exhaust.

 

I had the body on a rotisserie.  I cleaned off the old undercoat and resprayed it with 3M rubberized undercoat.undercoating.

 

[64StudebakerAvanti]

I forgot about the rubber shim in the middle of the rear cross member just over the differential.

[1963r2]

I think you use steel washers on steel and rubber washers on fiberglass.

Pb

[64StudebakerAvanti]

There are steel shims at the cowl, rear towers, and tubular cross member under the spare tire well (fiberglass to frame) as well as at the outrigger points for the hog troughs and radiator support.

The 4 rubber shims on either side of the X member and the rubber shim over the shock mounts are not bolted to the frame.

There are also two rubber seals under the seat belt frame mounting points.

I just reused the shims that I removed with the exception of the seals under the seat belt mounting points. They are rubber doughnut shaped and attached to a metal plate. I made new ones from a sheet of self adhesive rubber. The rubber goes on the body side.

Attaching a Pic of X member before blasting and painting frame.

 

Edited Sunday at 03:57 PM by 64StudebakerAvanti

[Zedman]

Doing a Frame-off rebuild is a challenge, but boy oh boy, the satisfaction is so rewarding. .  Not to mention the ease of buildup because you can get at everything because it's right in front of you. The feedback you are getting is dead accurate but I'll post some photos for your benefit.

The following comments and photos relate to my 1981 Avanti II

• The 1/8" approx rubber 'tyre sidewall material' live up on the Crossmemeber above the Rear Axle as shown in the picture.  These were not bolted- rather just taped on. I think these were an anti chafe measure
• There are two Rubber Doughnuts (water splash mitigation?) interposed between the upper X Frame rails and the body where the Seat Belt bolts go through
• At the 'A" pillar/Toeboard  there are a stack of large 1/4" thick shims- the top one of these is longer to offer more contact with the fibreglass and is not shown that way in one photo, but is in a closeup..
• At each Body mounting along the Frame there is a stack of 1/8" STEEL Shims 1 1/2" x 2" (and some thinner ones for fine adjustment)
• There is a STEEL shim at the rearmost tubular steel crossmember pad- mine only had one of 1/8" and it measured approx 1/12" x 3"
• And just in case you don't have one, (add one !) there is a Battery box Reinforcement bar up front and on the left top Frame

The photos here should show all of these details...

 

Edited 1 hour ago by Zedman