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I have two 1979 Corvettes that need front end alignments. The shops I have asked do not have the software for that old of a car. Does anyone know of a shop here in the Houston area that can align these cars?
Dont they just need the alignment specifications?
Did you ask if you provide the specifications if they can do it?
Why are you just trying to align the front as opposed to rear also?
From: Into the Mystic And yet, despite the look on my face, you're still talking TN
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '25
Originally Posted by Yadkin
They just need the alignment specs. So look them up, decide what you want in the range, then have them do that.
Better yet, find a shop that wants your business to the point that they would suggest what numbers work best.
Van Steel has recommended specs on their website. If the shop says they can't do it then they sure won't have the shims needed for the rear. Find a better shop.
If you look at the factory specs - the allowable tolerances they give are HUGE !!!!!
You want a shop that will hit the numbers you provide to within about +/- 1/8 degree on Camber and maybe +/- 1/2 degree on Caster. Toe should be accurate to a 1/16".
Now - the question becomes what numbers do you want to use. The factory alignment settings are a starting point - and will work OK if you normally just cruise in the car. If you want the car to handle better, and are willing to trade off a bit of tire wear for better handling - you need to make some changes.
Personally - I like at least 1/2 degree of neg camber (tops of tires closer together than the bottoms of the tires) to aid handling. Add in a bit of toe in (just to avoid getting into a toe out situation) - which tends to make the car "wander", and something like 3 degrees of caster to improve high speed stability. YMMV...
If you look at the factory specs - the allowable tolerances they give are HUGE !!!!!
You want a shop that will hit the numbers you provide to within about +/- 1/8 degree on Camber and maybe +/- 1/2 degree on Caster. Toe should be accurate to a 1/16".
Now - the question becomes what numbers do you want to use. The factory alignment settings are a starting point - and will work OK if you normally just cruise in the car. If you want the car to handle better, and are willing to trade off a bit of tire wear for better handling - you need to make some changes.
Personally - I like at least 1/2 degree of neg camber (tops of tires closer together than the bottoms of the tires) to aid handling. Add in a bit of toe in (just to avoid getting into a toe out situation) - which tends to make the car "wander", and something like 3 degrees of caster to improve high speed stability. YMMV...
thats what it says..the others were inspection and warranty
I have two 1979 Corvettes that need front end alignments. The shops I have asked do not have the software for that old of a car. Does anyone know of a shop here in the Houston area that can align these cars?
As other suggested give them.
1. alignment specs to use.
2. Shims for front camber adjustments
3. Shims for rear toe adjustments.
Or the other option is DIY alignment which depends on if you have the time / willingness to learn DIY Alignment.
Wow! That is great information. Thank you all for responding. I had not thought about aligning the rear end too but since I am doing the front I am going to do the back too.
I have rebuilt many engines, carbs, distributors, etc. but have always looked at alignment issues as some kind of voodoo that I was afraid to screw up.
However with the info you all provided I can now tell whoever does the work what the specs are to follow.
Wow! That is great information. Thank you all for responding. I had not thought about aligning the rear end too but since I am doing the front I am going to do the back too.
I have rebuilt many engines, carbs, distributors, etc. but have always looked at alignment issues as some kind of voodoo that I was afraid to screw up.
However with the info you all provided I can now tell whoever does the work what the specs are to follow.
Thanks again.
David
To give you an Idea of the voodoo
My DIY Alignment Method. While I show you how to take measurements and not the actual mechanical changes.
Front:
Toe: adjust the tie rod sleeves (turn)
Camber: add / remove shims from the upper control arms.
Caster: add / remove shims from the upper control arms. (front front vs back side)
Rear:
Camber: adjust strut rod's camber bolt at the rear location, or if you have adjustable strut rod's turn to lengthen or shorten
Toe: Move shims from inner to outer side or outer to inner side of the trailing arm bushings.
You mention Houston, but is your car originally a southern car? Before going to the alignment shop, I strongly suggest that you either make sure the rear "toe shims" aren't frozen in place, from rust, and if so, either remove and clean them before going to the shop, or purchase a new set of stainless steel shims, and install them yourself, just to be sure.
Secondly, when it comes to the alignment settings, keep in mind that those numbers that "interpon'' graciously posted, are from a 40 year old, GM shop manual, written for the old fashioned alignment racks that used a light, prism, and optical lens, that projected the light beam to a chart that hung on the wall of the shop. The "technician" took his "best guesstimate" to place the beam of light on that scale, and called it an alignment. Today, the racks are using lasers and targets, with insanely fine increments to set the wheels. Most alignment racks have software that will go back quite a few model years..
Thanks to everyone for your tips on getting the alignments straightened out on my two 79 L-82s. I found a shop with an old school guy here in town. For $160 each he aligned both the front ends and rear ends of them using the measurements you all supplied. What a vast improvement in handling for both cars. Too bad I have to sell both to fund the restoration of my 67 435 hp but someones will get Corvettes that are properly set up.
Thanks to everyone for your tips on getting the alignments straightened out on my two 79 L-82s. I found a shop with an old school guy here in town. For $160 each he aligned both the front ends and rear ends of them using the measurements you all supplied. What a vast improvement in handling for both cars. Too bad I have to sell both to fund the restoration of my 67 435 hp but someones will get Corvettes that are properly set up.
if he had to add or move/ remove shims in the rear..that was a bargain
front end alignment shop needed
Van Steel has recommended specs on their website. If the shop says they can't do it then they sure won't have the shims needed for the rear. Find a better shop.
