C3 front tires hitting fiberglass after restorati

[Mark A Hart]

A problem with my restoration of a 1969 was uncovered when I reunited the body with the chassis. When I turn the wheels to the left, at approximately 20 degrees, the right tire contacts the front portion of the wheel opening. The left tire contacts the back portion of the wheel opening. I believe that all the proper shims (body mount, radiator,...) are in position. I have experimented with shim combinations in the upper A-arms - lots on one side and none on the other. It has power steering. My measurements of the frame confirm my previous opinion (formed when the frame was media blasted)that there is no frame damage.

When I started the restoration, the car drove into the garage. There were flairs on the rear side of the front wheels. I restored these to the original fiberglass design.

The car has new 225/70R Goodyear TA radials. The front end components have been rebuilt. I used the original springs. I also restored the rear leaf spring. The car hasn't moved out of the garage so the suspension hasn't had an opportunity to "seat." Currently, the car is several inches higher than normal.

I pulled the A-arms again and did a mirror image comparison. They look fine.

My hood and doors fit just fine.

Before I take it to a frame and body specialist, is there anything else that I should check?

[Terry F.]

Re: C3 front tires hitting fiberglass after restor

Take it to a frame shop and let them make sure the frame is straight. If they want to pull on the frame, make sure all the body bolts are removed. Make sure the body is centered on the frame and parrallel to the frame rails (I am sure you have checked that already). You can slide it front and back but that doesn't sound like it would fix the problem. Have you had the front end aligned yet. It is possible those tires just won't fit the wheel opening. May have to use a 215/70R. Just my humble thoughts, Terry

[Harmon C.]

Re: C3 front tires hitting fiberglass after restor

Mark
The clearance in the front fender area is very close with the original tires supplied with the car when delivered. Modern tires if they are wider or taller in the transfer cause the problems you are seeing. You reglassed the area and if it grew from the factory spec. is not helping. I would install a set of origial or repo tires of the size original to your 69. I have done many shark frame offs and seen this problem before and it may get better when the vette is driven and the body lowers. I doubt you have a frame problem. Did you drop a rod through the birdcage hole in the sill plate and down through the holes in frame when you put the body on to position it?
Lyle

[Mark A Hart]

Re: C3 front tires hitting fiberglass after restor

Lyle,
The holes in the sill plates (on the left side, the through hole is near the door hindge-end, on the right side, through hole is near the latch-end) are aligned with the corresponding holes in the frame. All of the mounting bolts (#1-#4) were easy to insert. I did try minor adjustments when the body still had a little tension from the chain block lift system but that was in the 1/4 - 1/2 inch lateral movement range.

Even the radiator support holes lined up when I raised the nose section with a gentle push in the upward direction. Originally, it had 5 shims. Now there are a few more.

I will attempt to borrow a mounted reproduction F70-15 and see if this will solve my problem. To get the body lower, I am contemplating driving it around the yard while being careful not not exceed my current limited turning radius (20 degrees) so as to not break the fender.

[Mark A Hart]

Re: C3 front tires hitting fiberglass after restor

The corrected tire model is Goodyear Eagle GT-II 225/70R 15.

I think the body is parrallel to the frame because the holes in the sill plates are aligned. In addition, the space between the sills and the frame are equal on each side. The space is equal at the door hindge and latch area of the sills.

I haven't had the front end professionally aligned. I adjusted the rods until both wheels looked straight when the steering wheel was appropriately positioned. Initially, I put shims in upper A-arm shims until the wheel was OK on a carpenter's level. Since then, I have tried combinations of shims to maximize the wheel clearance.

The doors are not installed. The interior is not in. No bumpers or windshield. The car is a bit lighter than usual. It hasn't left the garage for final painting. I wanted to make sure everything is OK before the lacquer is applied.

[Harmon C.]

Re: C3 front tires hitting fiberglass after restor

Mark
The body to frame mount the way it turned out seems ok to me from what you have done and told me. I hope with tires and a bit lower body to frame the clearace gets better. Keep us posted.

Lyle

[Mark A Hart]

[Yves Thaens]

Re: C3 front tires hitting fiberglass after restor

Hello,

I would like to ask a related question but for a 1979 with optional 255/60 tires. These would normally hit the fender in the rear also, so the factory trimmed the fenders... but can anyone tell me how much ?

Thanks

Yves