correct ride height
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
correct ride height
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
Tom
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,721
Likes: 3,707
From: Central Arkansas
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.
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.
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
correct ride height
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
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
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 38,897
Likes: 1,926
From: Washington Michigan
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.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 26,118
Likes: 1,874
From: Greenville, Indiana
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
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
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.
Last edited by MikeM; Jun 20, 2010 at 01:24 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 7,246
Likes: 21
From: Going too fast over the hill. Iowa
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.......
1966 AIM A152 lists 8-9 inches as shipped.
PS - let the flames begin.......
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,474
Likes: 16
From: Houston Texas
St. Jude Donor '10-'12-'13
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.
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.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 26,118
Likes: 1,874
From: Greenville, Indiana
The front end would probably come up 3-4 inches with the engine removed. That's just a guess.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,474
Likes: 16
From: Houston Texas
St. Jude Donor '10-'12-'13
Racer
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 288
Likes: 16
From: Northeast TN
I was told they were not to be tightened until the motor was installed, is this not correct?
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 38,897
Likes: 1,926
From: Washington Michigan
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 26,118
Likes: 1,874
From: Greenville, Indiana
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 7,246
Likes: 21
From: Going too fast over the hill. Iowa
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.
