Can anyone tell me the correct ride height, as measured from the ground to the top of the wheel well arch, for a 67 big block C2 convertible? Looking for both front and rear measurements. Thanks and regards.

Tom

Readers will post what there measurements are for comparison, but there are too many variables such as body to frame shimming, body assembly tolerances and tire size for them to be of much use. The factory service manual has the factory ride heigth tolerances and diagrams of how to measure them. It's a comparison of difference between lower ball joint heigth and lower control arm pivot bolt centers from memory and without looking it back up.

If you post your tire size you might at least get a few comparisons based on like tire dimensions. That will get you 40% of the way there but it's not going to be close enough to tell you much.

DansYellow66,

Thanks for the quick response. Understand your discussion on ride height variables. Any chance you can quote me the factory ride height tolerances from the service manual. I don't have the manual.

Another related question. Should the height to the top of the wheel wells be the same for the front and the rear, all other variables taken into account.

Thanks again and regards

GM never published ground-to-fender lip ride height dimensions for '65-up Corvettes; the enhanced charts below (thanks, Buns) show how to measure the front and rear ride heights, independent of tire diameter. These charts are in the '67 Assembly Manual, which you should have, along with the '67 Chassis Service Manual.

The answer to this question is the same as the first. Depends. There's enough leeway in the spec to make a definite difference front/rear. Maybe as much as two inches.

My '63 SB convertible measures 26 1/2" at the front wheel character line and 27 1/2" at the rear. Standard springs, 205/75 tires. That gives it about a one inch forward rake and I believe that is typical of SM cars with standard springs. F-41 springs and/or BB will alter the height.

Still, I believe a slight forward rake was/is typical if the factory springs are still under the car.

Body height is (GM Restoration Guide spec) 8 inches at the bottom of the rocker panels. (12.5 from the body crease for sidepipes

1966 AIM A152 lists 8-9 inches as shipped.

PS - let the flames begin.......

Mine measures the same. Eaton non progressive rate springs. Gave me 26 1/2 in front and 27 1/2 in rear with 27 inch diameter tires.

My 65 coupe is 26" front and 26" rear on 205/75R15.
My 67 roadster is 25,5" front and 26" rear on 215/70R15.

Thanks everyone for you responses. Most helpful.

Regards

How much does the motor being out affect ride height? Mine is out right now as it's had a complete chassis rebuild and the drivers fender is at least 1.5" higher off the wheel.

I hope when your front end was rebuilt, they tightened all the upper/lower shafts and sway bar with the front end at ride height.

The front end would probably come up 3-4 inches with the engine removed. That's just a guess.

Quite a bit. Kinda like having 3-4 linebackers sitting on your front end.

I was told they were not to be tightened until the motor was installed, is this not correct?

Yes, that's correct - they shouldn't be torqued until the car is complete and at normal ride height. In the plant, we used compression fixtures on the Frame Line to put the suspension at normal ride height while all of those attachments were torqued.

On a related note, is there are difference between the ride height of the standard suspension and the F40/F41? I don't see anything in the AIM about a difference but some other sources suggest that there is.

See post #5.

I don't think so. There are at least 4 different factory front spring rates/heights to cope with big blocks, A-C and racing/stiff suspension, and 2 rates at the rear that left the factory at the same height.