Idler Arm - straight or offset?

[Dave F.]

Is the upper part of the idler arm, where it attaches to the frame, offset or straight for a '68 small block? I wasn't around when Bubba disassembled this, and the AIM and Service Maunuals don't show this clearly enough for me to tell. The aftermarket catalogs show both configurations, and the one that depicts it as an offset style calls it out as a "replacement". If it is offset 9 (and mine is), should there be a sleeve to fill in the gap between frame and arm? My head hurts again.

[Joe L.]

Re: Idler Arm - straight or offset?

Dave-----

The frame bracket section for the idler arm used for ALL 1963-82 Corvettes has ONE offset. A very similar 1963 truck arm uses a bracket with DOUBLE offsets. This arm CANNOT be used on a Corvette. There is no sleeve, whatsoever, used on a Corvette idler arm to fill any "gaps" as there should be no gaps.

[Chuck R.]

Re: My original 68 was offset Dave *NM*

[Dave F.]

Re: Idler Arm - straight or offset?

Joe.

I must be missing something here, as there are two holes in the idler arm, and the bottom one is in the offset (>3/8"), and the mounting point for both holes on the frame is flat. I'll send a photo if you don't mind.

Dave

[Joe L.]

Re: Idler Arm - straight or offset?

Dave-----

Send or post a picture and I'll be able to tell. Basically, the Corvette idler arm frame bracket had ONE offset which is BELOW the portion of the bracket that attaches to the frame. The portion that attaches to the frame is STRAIGHT and FLAT.