spreader bar
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,256
Likes: 316
From: Western NY
spreader bar
Hi guys, first time posting here, I have a 66. I am looking to fabricate up a front end spreader bar, something I have heard many C3 drivers have used. The UCA bolts are too short on mine to accommodate a bar bracket. My understanding is that those bolts have a splined area just off the head that press fits into the arm so I had hoped to find longer versions of those bolts. Someone had mentioned that C3 units have longer bolts than Midyears. If so does anyone have a part number or source?
Thanks in advance.
Thanks in advance.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,742
Likes: 1,384
C2Dude
Is this what you are looking for? if so, per corvette central they are 2.25" long ..... so you can compare to yours.
https://www.corvettecentral.com/c3-6...6catalogs%3dc3
but it looks like they're only 1/8" longer than the C2s.
https://www.corvettecentral.com/c2-6...%2barm%2bbolts
Is this what you are looking for? if so, per corvette central they are 2.25" long ..... so you can compare to yours.
https://www.corvettecentral.com/c3-6...6catalogs%3dc3
but it looks like they're only 1/8" longer than the C2s.
https://www.corvettecentral.com/c2-6...%2barm%2bbolts
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,256
Likes: 316
From: Western NY
Thanks for the responses. They are essentially bolts but with a short section of spline just under the hex head so the bolt does not spin while tightening the nut. Yes I did just see the CC studs but I will need more than 1/8" of additional length. If I knew the technical name of these bolts I could search with that. Any splined bolts I have found have round flat heads so still searching for hex.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,742
Likes: 1,384
I found a comment (lost it already) that they used to use wheel studs for a Camaro(?)......as leadfoot4 mentioned. That Corvette Central gives you the bolt size so all you have to do is find some wheel studs that are in the length you wish.
check this out: https://www.summitracing.com/search/...ize/7-16-in-20
check this out: https://www.summitracing.com/search/...ize/7-16-in-20
Last edited by carriljc; Jun 12, 2023 at 03:03 PM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,256
Likes: 316
From: Western NY
That may very well be an option although should, during an alignment, the splines strip out in the UCA, there is no part of the head on wheel studs that you could try to grab, Thats why using a grade 8 bolt is less than optimum, it is not easy to get a tool on the hex head that's on the OE bolts but you would have a chance. That plan "B" would be unavailable with a wheel stud. May be that that type of OE style bolt is unavailable in 7/16 x 2 1/2" but the search goes on, thanks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,742
Likes: 1,384
these were in that summit link I posted: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/msr-8050
not sure what you're saying about splines stripping....worse comes to worse you can always weld a dadgum on there.
not sure what you're saying about splines stripping....worse comes to worse you can always weld a dadgum on there.
That may very well be an option although should, during an alignment, the splines strip out in the UCA, there is no part of the head on wheel studs that you could try to grab, Thats why using a grade 8 bolt is less than optimum, it is not easy to get a tool on the hex head that's on the OE bolts but you would have a chance. That plan "B" would be unavailable with a wheel stud. May be that that type of OE style bolt is unavailable in 7/16 x 2 1/2" but the search goes on, thanks.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 11,183
Likes: 3,335
From: North of Toronto - Ontario
I'm kind of surprised there's so little thread left on your bolts. Are there a wack of alignment shims in there already or something?
VanSteel will sell both c2 and c3 bolts. Give them a call and they can tell you if there's a difference in length or anything other than fine/coarse threads. They also sell spreader bars so they should be able to help you get it figured out
M
VanSteel will sell both c2 and c3 bolts. Give them a call and they can tell you if there's a difference in length or anything other than fine/coarse threads. They also sell spreader bars so they should be able to help you get it figured out
M
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,256
Likes: 316
From: Western NY
Thanks again for all the responses. Yes the front bolt on the passenger's side UCA has only a couple of threads showing, pretty good shim stack in there. I worked with a good guy at our local shop that has an alignment rack, mine is set up using the well publicized "sport alignment" which is essentially -1* camber all the way around, total 1/16 toe and as much caster as a Midyear will give you. Have to check what we got but it was only 3-4* at most. I have discovered the wonderful world of autocrossing and although she ran the course remarkably well with the minor suspension tweaking I have already made, the spreader bar concept made geometrical sense to me and looks to be a fairly easy fabrication job...if I can get the bolts.
The comment on striping the splines comes from a couple of C2 guys that have spun those bolts in the past. Their press fitted in the arms and I guess over time and or abuse they can fail there bond. Tach welding the heads in had not crossed my mind but is an excellent suggestion. i will reach out to Van Steel and check their bolt offerings.
The comment on striping the splines comes from a couple of C2 guys that have spun those bolts in the past. Their press fitted in the arms and I guess over time and or abuse they can fail there bond. Tach welding the heads in had not crossed my mind but is an excellent suggestion. i will reach out to Van Steel and check their bolt offerings.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,742
Likes: 1,384
C2Dude
Geez... I typed that wrong. Of course tack-welding would work, and since you're autocrossing you do what you have to do....what I meant to type is that you could "weld a nut on the backside of the wheel stud" such that you can use a wrench and/or socket to hold it. Might even try that before tack-welding.
Geez... I typed that wrong. Of course tack-welding would work, and since you're autocrossing you do what you have to do....what I meant to type is that you could "weld a nut on the backside of the wheel stud" such that you can use a wrench and/or socket to hold it. Might even try that before tack-welding.
Thanks again for all the responses. Yes the front bolt on the passenger's side UCA has only a couple of threads showing, pretty good shim stack in there. I worked with a good guy at our local shop that has an alignment rack, mine is set up using the well publicized "sport alignment" which is essentially -1* camber all the way around, total 1/16 toe and as much caster as a Midyear will give you. Have to check what we got but it was only 3-4* at most. I have discovered the wonderful world of autocrossing and although she ran the course remarkably well with the minor suspension tweaking I have already made, the spreader bar concept made geometrical sense to me and looks to be a fairly easy fabrication job...if I can get the bolts.
The comment on striping the splines comes from a couple of C2 guys that have spun those bolts in the past. Their press fitted in the arms and I guess over time and or abuse they can fail there bond. Tach welding the heads in had not crossed my mind but is an excellent suggestion. i will reach out to Van Steel and check their bolt offerings.
The comment on striping the splines comes from a couple of C2 guys that have spun those bolts in the past. Their press fitted in the arms and I guess over time and or abuse they can fail there bond. Tach welding the heads in had not crossed my mind but is an excellent suggestion. i will reach out to Van Steel and check their bolt offerings.