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Does anyone know the maximum horsepower rating for the Small Block mid-year chassis vintage 1965? Also, years ago many of the B-Production racers upgraded the relay rod, idler arm, tie rods, ball joints, half & drive shafts to what I recall they were special HD big block parts. Does anyone (Joe Lucia & clones) know the part numbers and availability in the GM arsenal, the aftermarket, or the open market? Off topic- a friend took me for a "ride" in his 50th Anniversary C-5. This car would eat an L88 for lunch in every way. How can Chevy sell this car for $55K and make money????????????
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Re: Chassis Engineering
Tom-----
For all practical purposes, small block and big block 1965 Corvette chassis (and, even, all Corvette chassis through 1974) were the same. There were few differences between small block and big block chassis. Basically, the differences were lower rear shock mounts, half shafts, stub (yoke) axles, and rear stabilizer bar for big blocks. From 1966 onward, the front springs were also different between big block and small block. That's it. I don't know for certain, but I expect that no PRODUCTION Corvette C2/C3 chassis was designed, as manufactured, to support much more than 500 hp.
As far as the "HD" parts that you mentioned, Chevrolet never sold in SERVICE or used in PRODUCTION, any "heavy duty and/or big block" ball joints, idler arm, tie rods, relay rod, or driveshaft. For these items, the big block and small block parts were all the same. Big blocks did use slightly different half-shafts. They were shot-peened but were otherwise the same as the small block half-shafts. From 1966 to 1976, these were the only half shafts available in SERVICE for ALL 63-74 Corvettes and were known as GM #3872908.
For "HD" SERVICE requirement for 63-68 Corvettes, the 69+ style relay rods could be used, though. These rods are 7/8" OD and are stronger than the 63-68 3/4" OD rods.In Appreciation of John Hinckley -
Re: Chassis Engineering
Joe- I knew I could count on you! Congrats on your retirement. Are you still going to prolificly contribute to the Forum? Certainly hope so.Comment
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Re: Chassis Engineering
Joe - how did the lower shock mounts differ between the BB and SB cars...I didn't realize there were differences here. Can they be visually differentiated? Thx!...CraigComment
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Re: Chassis Engineering
Craig-----
Yes, they are different. However, I should have said that the shock mount shafts were different between standard suspension cars and F-40/F-41 equipped cars, not between small blocks and big blocks.
The non-F-40/F-41 shafts were GM #3820929 and 3820930. These numbers are seen debossed on the as-forged portion of the shafts.
The F-40/F-41 shafts were GM #3829265 and 3829266. On all PRODUCTION shafts, these numbers are seen debossed on the as-forged section of the shafts.
In the mid-70s the "HD" shafts became the only SERVICE shafts available for 63+ Corvettes. Also, they may have become the PRODUCTION shaft for all Corvettes, too, at this time. I don't recall that, for sure, at the moment.
The configuration of the non-HD and the HD shafts is different, although the shafts are functionally interchangeable. The best way to see the difference is to compare them side-by-side. It's hard to describe. About 5 or 6 years ago, the debossed part numbers disappeared from the GM SERVICE shafts and were replaced by laser-printed part numbers.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: Chassis Engineering - Spindle Question
I have a couple questions regarding front spindles. I'm not sure how or if this applies to C2 front suspensions, but my understanding is the front spindles changed in '69 to a stronger design compared to the '68 spindles. Someone once told me if a person was wanting to run one of these Vettes with road race slicks, it was a good idea to switch to the later spindles due to the additional strength. Do the '69+ spindles have larger wheel bearings? Are the '68 front brake rotors a one year only design? Is this an area of concern for somebody that may be considering running a C2 in competition with modern tires?
RogerComment
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Re: Chassis Engineering - Spindle Question
Roger-----
Yes, the front spindle design did change sevral times over the C2/C3 years. 1963-68 used the "small" spindle shaft and bearings. Also, over the 63-68 period there were 2 other changes in the spindle. First, the 63-64 spindles were configured for use with with drum brakes. The 65-68 were configured for use with disc brakes. Second, the 63-67 spindles were configured for use with 7/16" bolts to attach the steering arm whereas the 68-only spindles were configured for 1/2" steering arm bolts.
In 1969 the spindles changed again. The 1/2" steering arm bolt attachment configuration remained the same. However, the big change was to the "large" spindle shaft and bearings. The 1969 front spindle then remained unchanged through the end of C3 production in 1982.
The 1969-82 front spindles are, without a doubt, the strongest and most "heavy duty" of all the C2/C3 front spindles. They can be retrofitted to 65-68 Corvettes if other parts are also changed.
The 1968 Corvette front rotor/hub assemblies were not unique to 1968; the same rotor/hub assemblies were used for all 65-68 Corvettes. However, as I described above, the front spindles for 1968 Corvettes WERE unique to that year.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: Thanks & Congrats On Retirement! *NM*
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Re: Chassis Engineering
Joe - as always, thx for the details! I will have to check my cars to see which ones I have, glad they are functionally equivalent. I will copy/save your post for reference.....CraigComment
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