Topic: ride height
in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling
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Austin, TX - USA
Joined: 3/27/2006
Posts: 104
Vette(s): 73 coupe bought new in 1973 with only luggage rack, AM/FM radio, HD battery & Maplight as options. L48, 4 speed, Paint Med Met Blue 922 interior Dark saddle 418 special order. Repurchased 4/1/06 after 24 years.
Thanks for the info Joel. I have the origional GM shop manual with the same specs as you noted. In addition to the J-7.91"and K-7.89" The specs call for approximately (I don't have the manual here at work) 27.9" floor to highest point in fender arch both front and rear. So if your frame is level (J and K) equal, than I don't understand how the fender arch in rear could be higher than the fender arch in front. Are you running the same tires front and rear? If so your 1 inch differential between tire top and fender archs sounds out of spec to me (not a big deal, but mine is 2 inches out). I could take out .5" to 1" with longer bolts and get closer to spec keeping the frame close to level, so that is probably what I will do. Could you measure from floor to fender arch and let me know what numbers you get? I get 27.75"in front, and 30"in rear. My tires are 225 70 R15, and I am currently running them at 25PSI. Book calls for 20psi. If I deflate them, It would probably lower the frame less than .5" I will do that and remeasure everything, just for the sake of accuracy.
Is that brake tool to hold the pistons in available at auto part stores, or do I have to order one online?
Thanks, John
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20225
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
I get 27 1/2" floor to arch on da front
28 1/2" on da rear. I do have 225-70R15s on it @20psi.
I will agree that it sounds goofy to have the different fender arch measurements, given that the frame is level, but, the body mounts have probably squished(highly technical term!) down over the years, and the front of the car bodywork, which has very little to support it, may have sagged a bit. The only thing holding the front of the body, from the firewall forward, is the radiator core support.
I'll upload a pic from the side, and you can take a look at how mine sits. It does have a little rakish look, but I know the frame is level, so any "rake" comes from design, and old age!
Click on image
The brake clips will only be available at a Corvette supplier, as far as I know.Adams' Apple 2006-10-05 08:27:41
28 1/2" on da rear. I do have 225-70R15s on it @20psi.
I will agree that it sounds goofy to have the different fender arch measurements, given that the frame is level, but, the body mounts have probably squished(highly technical term!) down over the years, and the front of the car bodywork, which has very little to support it, may have sagged a bit. The only thing holding the front of the body, from the firewall forward, is the radiator core support.

I'll upload a pic from the side, and you can take a look at how mine sits. It does have a little rakish look, but I know the frame is level, so any "rake" comes from design, and old age!



The brake clips will only be available at a Corvette supplier, as far as I know.
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Joined: 9/8/2005
Posts: 241
Vette(s): 1980 with a Banks Twin Turbo
1969 Convert Big Block
1996 Grand Sport Convert
in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling
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