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66 chevelle front springs

4K views 6 replies 3 participants last post by  toecutter 
#1 ·
hi all!

probly this summer I will tackle the floorpans on my 66 chevelle as I allready aquired the floor pans and braces AND! a millermatic 180 to help with the task. :D

but for now I'm gonna do some front end work and I was wondering, can I stuff tweents the a frames, BB coil springs?

I have a SB in it right now but sometime in the ..... well not near future. I will be dropping a BB in it.

will BB springs on this current set up screw things up some? will they fit? or are there any mods involved?

I kinna would like a Raised look to the front as I think 66 chevelles look pretty awesome with a raised front end, but I would hate to be up against a host of problems cos of it.

thanks for any info in advance.
 
#2 ·
Should be no problem
It will raise the front some, and perhaps stiffen the ride up front.

Should have no problems with this at all--couldn't hurt to at least replace the lower control arm bushings and ball joint, since you will have the springs out anyway. The top arms seem to wear quicker than the lowers----but they are much easier to work on than the lowers with the springs in place.

Bryan
 
#3 ·
thanks bryan!

yeah I'm getting ball joints (all) A- frame bushings and all the links, and some new BB springs :thumbup: gonna throw in some decent shocks as well (but not too decent) as I just want a nice solid feel up front, nothing racer related. heck I could'nt afford all them exotic metal type parts that are out there now a days. I'm a truck driver and gotta keep my CDL clean :mad:

thanks for the help again dude :cool:
 
#4 ·
Exactly as Bryan59ec said, they will fit fine, they are a tad taller and I think the wire is a few thou thicker.
They will raise it up a bit over stock with the small block and ride a bit stiffer but not bone jarring bad.

When you do get the big block installed make sure you run it back to the alignment shop as the camber will most likely change with the added weight.
 
#5 ·
Absolutly chopt 48!!

I even thought of Running it to a shop after I did the springs and other parts swap.

I gotta tell ya tho, all these front end aligment shops Around here are fitted to do new era style type front ends. I went to an STS and they told me the specs on their machine did not go back that far. so they had no way of knowing degrees of camber or caster, tow in tow out and so forth. I at least thank them guys for their honesty.
I said to my self, well if STS can't do it, Pep boys is sure as S#@% out of the question :mad:

any ideas on a good front end franchise?

thanks chopt48 :thumbup:
 
#6 ·
If ya got power steering

caster----as much as possible
camber--0----------I would go more than -1/2 to more than +1/2
toe----1/8 total


Pretty generic

Dont have my book handy----but this will be a great place to start either way.

Also----try to drive around a bit before the alignment---the springs will settle in.

If you replace the shims exactly as they were b-4 dissassembly, and do not disturb the tie rod ends. alignment will be okay for awhile while the springs settle-----once you change the tierods--pitman--idler or centerlink-----
All bets are off, and you will need to get it done right away.
 
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