I recently purchased a 68 Coupe. I currently have a 68 Conv. I want to pull the subframe out from under the coupe. I have never done this before and need some guidance on removal and installation.
Do I pull the fenders off indivually or pull the front clip off etc.
Thanks for any advice!!!

I never done this myself, but from what I understand it is wise to strip the front off the car, and then unbolt the subframe. Getting it off is the easy part. Putting it back to gether is the tricky part. You must make sure the subframe is square when you bolt it back on.

PULL THE FENDERS OFF INDIVIDUALLY.

Ive tried to take the front end off as one peice and its not worth the headaches. You run too much of a rist of bending/warping/scratching the panels.

If you leave the wheels on the subframe you can just unbolt the frame and wheel the whole assembly out.

------------------
68 Camaro email: Jvolk81@aol.com

I just did this a couple months ago, and yes you have to take the fenders off one at a time. I separated the inner and outer fenders while they were bolted to the car, and if I were to do it again, I would have left the inner and outer fenders together when I removed them. I also disassembled everything while the 4 subframe bolts were still bolted to the body (that way you can get it as light as possible). Cut a 2x8 just the right length that will fit between the frame rails behind the crossmember, support it with jackstands, and unbolt the rest. Good luck!

Art Rasmussen had posted a while ago that it was not necessary to remove the front sheetmetal. You might try a search. Of course, the motor needs to be out, etc! But, he said they did it all the time in doing subframe upgrades.

When I painted my subframe I removed it and re-installed it without taking of any front end sheetmetal (except hood).

------------------
68/Z28,35O LT1
RICHMOND 5 SP,

I removed mine this last year.
Don't remove the fenders.

Put the car up on four jack stands, use the heavy duty tall jack stands for better working room, not the cheapie short ones.

Cut a piece of 4X4 wood to fit between the inside of the frame rails going across the car.

Jack up the front end a bit by placing a floor jack under the crossmember of the subframe. Keep the jack pad to the rearmost side of the center crossmember for proper balance when removing.

Place the 4x4 under the center of the car about where the shifter hole is going across the car. Put the front pair of jack stands under the 4x4 and lower the car down on the 4x4.

Keep the jack under the subframe and keep some pressure up on it. Remove the emergency brake cable, brake lines, undo the fuel line clips, and ground wires attached to the subframe. Remove the front bumper braces from the subframe.

Undo the steering shaft, undo the 6 subframe mounting bolts.
Lower the subframe while guiding the front frame horns clear of the lower valance panel.
You will have to roll the jack rearward a bit to clear. When jack is lowered enough roll the subframe out from under.

I did it this way without any help. With the jack stands between the frame rails there is nothing in the way for removing the bolts and rolling the subframe out with the jack.

Re-install is the reverse of this, but use the alignment holes next to the center pair of subframe bolts.
David


------------------
Check my web page for First Gen Camaro suspension info:
David's Motorsports page (http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/David_Pozzi/)
First Gen Suspension Page (http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/David_Pozzi/first_gen_suspension.htm)
67 RS 327
69 Camaro Vintage Racer
65 Lola T-70 Can Am Vintage Racer

[This message has been edited by davidpozzi (edited 01-29-2001).]

David, could this be done with the engine/trans still attached if the car was raised enough? Just a theoretical question.
I'm thinking of the easiest way to "center" the subframe in my 69.
Joe

------------------
69 SS396 Clone, B&M TH400, 12 Bolt Posi, Blue w/White Z28 Stripes
Badboatdude@CS.com

The choice is really yours. do you want the fenders off seperatly in order to paint them or do body work. Do you need the extra access to the engine for clean-up or repair.
I have pulled the front clips off in one piece many times. It takes two to three people, but if you are careful you won't bend a thing. Of course you have to take out the bolts attaching the core support and also the ones at the doors attaching the fenders but it can be done with a little finess. I do suggest taking the front clip(sheetmetal) off before pulling the subframe, but you can easily leave the engine/tran installed.

Joe,
You mean pull the subframe with engine and trans installed?
It could be done, that is the way it was done at the factory.
But you would have to get the body VERY high. And proper support would be critical.
I wouldn't try it.
David

------------------
Check my web page for First Gen Camaro suspension info:
David's Motorsports page (http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/David_Pozzi/)
First Gen Suspension Page (http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/David_Pozzi/first_gen_suspension.htm)
67 RS 327
69 Camaro Vintage Racer
65 Lola T-70 Can Am Vintage Racer

Just my $.02 but I pulled the sub frame off with all sheet metal in place. Watch out on the brake and fuel lines! When sliding it out it is very front heavy (at least without a motor.) What I did to keep it from tipping over is I places the rear on top of it at the back subframe mounts and used some big tie wraps to lash it together. I now have a 4 wheel front end I can move around and steer with the steering box. A little crazy looking but it works and I can get it out of the way when I need to.

------------------
1969 Camaro 350 & 1969 Impala SS 427/ 4-speed (restored)

I did mine last weekend
I pulled the entire front clip off,in one piece because i'm gonna repaint and change color so everything will be stripped and jambed anyhoo I used 2 floor jacks, one under the front sub an danother under the trans, the whole kit and kaboodle (sp) came out as one unit and was pretty slick

my .02


I was able to do all this alone and it took about 5 hrs (air tools)