C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

chassis alignment c3

Old Sep 8, 2014 | 07:03 AM
  #1  
WindyG's Avatar
WindyG
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
 
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Default chassis alignment c3

Hello,
I need to align my c3 chassis (toatal body off restauration)
Can anyone of you provide me with the specs and measurements to do this?
grts
Reply
Old Sep 8, 2014 | 07:14 AM
  #2  
MIKE80's Avatar
MIKE80
Drifting
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,968
Likes: 44
From: East TN
Default

You mean something like this.

Reply
Old Sep 8, 2014 | 07:38 PM
  #3  
hereigo's Avatar
hereigo
Instructor
 
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 246
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma City Oklahoma
St. Jude Donor '14
Default

Wow, someone read my mind! I needed this also!!!!!
Reply
Old Sep 8, 2014 | 11:01 PM
  #4  
doorgunner's Avatar
doorgunner
2026 Loser of the Year
Supporting Member
10 Year Member
Veteran: Army
Photogenic
Photoriffic
 
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,582
Likes: 7,021
From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
Default

If you are going to do the alignment (wheel alignment) by yourself for the first time.....I would suggest to try to get "Zero" degrees camber on all four wheels and "Zero" Toe on the front and back so that you have an understanding of the suspension.

Then you can "dial-in" the correct Camber and Toe specifications once the car is ready for road-tests.
Reply
Old Sep 9, 2014 | 07:02 AM
  #5  
Alan 71's Avatar
Alan 71
Team Owner
15 Year Member
Active Streak: 120 Days
Community Influencer
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,235
Likes: 4,326
From: Westminster Maryland
Default

Hi WG,
If you take a close look you'll see that the majority of the dimensions on that drawing are related to the horizontal position and vertical height of the body mounting points to the ground/surface plate, and to each other.
I think this information was used on the production line at the 'jig' where the frame was measured to determine the number of shims needed at each body mount.
I don't really think it has anything to do with 'aligning' the chassis.
Regards,
Alan
Reply
Old Sep 9, 2014 | 07:40 AM
  #6  
Belgian1979vette's Avatar
Belgian1979vette
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,164
Likes: 7
From: Beringen
Default

Originally Posted by Alan 71
Hi WG,
If you take a close look you'll see that the majority of the dimensions on that drawing are related to the horizontal position and vertical height of the body mounting points to the ground/surface plate, and to each other.
I think this information was used on the production line at the 'jig' where the frame was measured to determine the number of shims needed at each body mount.
I don't really think it has anything to do with 'aligning' the chassis.
Regards,
Alan
Correct, but you can 'translate' them to actual dimensions by projecting a laser plane above the frame and jigging it up in the center. The weight of some of the suspension, driveline and engine is going to pull it down in the front an rear some. For that reason, I measured the difference between the number 1-3 , 2-4, 5-7 and 6-8 points, jacked the car up by the front and rear and then jacked up the center section to get the difference back again. Then you can start measuring.
Reply
Old Sep 9, 2014 | 03:38 PM
  #7  
TheSkunkWorks's Avatar
TheSkunkWorks
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Default

Something that might be missed here, as it's not shown to do on the schematic, is the importance of cross-checking measurements diagonally, both overall and by sections (forward/middle/aft). I've found this is very helpful for identifying where any problem parallel to the datum plane might be, as well as to determining whether or not the frame itself or suspension pickup points (such as I've found at my shark's right front/lower CA) are to blame for causing fundamental alignment issues.

And, do speak up if you intend on adding any stiffening welds, gussets, bars or such, as there's another little gremlin you want to make certain to avoid.
Reply
Old Sep 9, 2014 | 04:16 PM
  #8  
Belgian1979vette's Avatar
Belgian1979vette
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,164
Likes: 7
From: Beringen
Default

Originally Posted by TheSkunkWorks
Something that might be missed here, as it's not shown to do on the schematic, is the importance of cross-checking measurements diagonally, both overall and by sections (forward/middle/aft). I've found this is very helpful for identifying where any problem parallel to the datum plane might be, as well as to determining whether or not the frame itself or suspension pickup points (such as I've found at my shark's right front/lower CA) are to blame for causing fundamental alignment issues.

And, do speak up if you intend on adding any stiffening welds, gussets, bars or such, as there's another little gremlin you want to make certain to avoid.
Suspension points are not in that diagram. I later found out that on my front lower control arms one of the brackets was bent. Had to replace it. Mayor PIA.

There are measurements of those pickup points.

I think here :

http://corvette.wikia.com/wiki/Suspension
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To chassis alignment c3

Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-4

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:13 PM.

story-0
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-2
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-5
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-8
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE