My '67 327 roadster has always had a bit of a problem being aligned properly (front end) and I am wondering how typical that is and what if anything I can do about it. The problem is on the right upper A-arm rear bolt location where it has just about as many shims as will fit the standard bolt length, and the front bolt has only two. The left a-arm has just 1 or two shims at each bolt. I have heard of the opposite problem, where all shims are removed yet the a-arm still needs to move outward. My frame is rust free, and if it has been damaged it isn't noticeable. Should I get longer bolts? Have others experienced this problem?
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Re: A-arm shim quantity - what is typical?
Tim----
You better have a qualified "frame man" inspect your frame. You absolutely should not need longer bolts to correct this problem. That would be just a band-aid. Plus, these are special bolts and I don't think that longer ones are available. I know that they're not available from GM and never have been.In Appreciation of John Hinckley -
Re: A-arm shim quantity - what is typical?
Tim: carefully inspect the pass side frame where it takes its dogleg turn inboard in about the vicinity of the battery box on a non-c-60 c-2. that's usually where frame bending occurs on a mild to moderate collision. check from wrinkles that aren't present at same area on the drivers side frame dog leg kick area. Even if you can't identify a bent area, i'd do as joe suggests and have the frame checkd on a good frame machine. good luck, mikeComment
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Re: A-arm shim quantity - what is typical?
Thanks guys. Having never gone looking for a "frame man" before, is there a special type of machine that they use to check dimensions? Are these machines able to straighten things out if that is the problem? Does the body have to come off the frame for them to do something about it?Comment
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Re: A-arm shim quantity - what is typical?
Tim, I am assuming your problem is too much negative camber (top of tire out further than the bottom). I had the problem on my 72 where the control arm bolt locations were too close and had too much positive camber. I believe the measurement between the two bolting surfaces(assuming the 67 and 72 frames are alomst identical) should be close to 26 3/8 in. If you do have to send your frame to a frame shop, may I suggest Bill Grace at Grace-Way Machine in Burson, CA. He specializes in Corvette frames. I sent mine there and I could nt be more happy with the results and the service after the repair. Bill was happy to answer any questions I had. He is the only one I know of that has a frame jig designed for Corvettes. Below is a link to his web page. I live in Arkansas and was not cheap to send it out to California, but in my opinion it was well worth the price.
Scott
www.gracewaymachine.comComment
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Re: A-arm shim quantity - what is typical?
Tim,
My frame straightening experiences were with a metal body-on-frame car. The shop I found is both an alignment and frame straightening shop. They also straighten unit-body vehicles that have been crashed/bent. They were recommended to me by folks in the automotive business. I have the advantage of living in a large urban area, so a variety of services are available.
They were able to pull the frame straight with the body still bolted to the frame, but in the case of a fiberglass body I would be inclined to loosen the body mounts to prevent stressing the fiberglass and chancing cracking of the paint. I should add that they are not gentle when they pull the frame straight and dents and gouges in the frame members are not uncommon. If this aggressive treatment is an issue, it may be necessary to find a shop which specializes in Corvettes as others have recommended.TerryComment
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Re: A-arm shim quantity - what is typical?
Tim
It sounds like the right front hit a curb at one time,you don't need a frame machine to measure this damage ,just to pull it out,the spec of 26 3/8" is correct for the 67 frame from inside a-frame mounting edge to edge,you will find the right rear is in or less then 26 3/8 to other side.To measure this you need a tram bar, like a piece of 3/4" box tubing and next size smaller to slip inside to telescope then drill a hole to slide a length of steel rod thru each end forming a "U" to reach around the engine to measure between the a-frame mounting points.Look at the spring hole opening,see if its round or deformed.
With a tape measure and helper cross measure the frame to check for diamound.
Right frame rail may be pushed back in respect to left rail,This is more serious
My tram is a series of tube sizes that all assembled will measure a car from end to end by myself.
I have cut the welds and repositioned this mount on a corvette,finded it was just misplaced and on a new Buick Riviera and a few Isuzu P/U.
This repair can be done by any frame shop,at the Chevy dealer we used a mobil machine that just reached thru the a-frame flaps.
E-mail me if you need more frame specs or diagram to make a tram gauge
Frank
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