Shop manual for 1960

[Richard R.]

I was reading the threads about rear end alignment and toe in and camber (whatever all that stuff is) this morning. After getting thoroughly confused I decided I better get a good shop manual. I'm doing a frame off of a 1960, and obviously I need to read up before I work on the frame. Can anyone recommend a good shop manual for my car (and where to get it)?

Thanks Richard

[John M.]

Re: Shop manual for 1960

Richard, there are several manuals which you shouldn't be without, first and foremost is the Assembly Instruction Manual which is a reprint of the manual that was used at the factory to build the car. Next in line is the service manual which explains the proper sequence to disassemble and service various components. If you want to keep the car original to NCRS standards then the judging manual for your 60 is a necessity as is the chassis restoration guide. There are also several shop manuals which address specific areas of the car which are not covered in depth in the service manual such as engine and transmission manuals and chassis manuals. All of the manuals are available from either NCRS or a number of parts suppliers such as corvette central, ZIP, or Mary Jo Rohner. Now to the good news, all your confusion about rearend alignment is a non issue on your 60 as your car was built with a solid axle, after 63 corvettes had a tendency to break the rear axle into three pieces and they had to put all sort of strut rods on the rear end to pull it back into shape. I never could understand why the didn't put a stronger rearend in later models to prevent breaking, but owners of these models call it Independent rear suspension and claim some benefit to this arrangement.