69 firebird wheel alignment - Camber

[ModernMuseum]

I'm having some issues getting my front driver's side wheel alignment. I'm currently sitting at about +2 degrees of camber and need to add at least another 1/4 of shims, but the stock upper A-arm is hitting the power steering pulley. I already installed a different pump with a smaller pulley from turnone. As a side note, I'm running 2" ridetech lowered springs. What is my next step here? Will one of those offset alignment arms help with this? If so, is there a particular brand/model that works best?

210635

[ModernMuseum]

Also, I neglected to mention that I have these ball joints:

Upper:
https://ridetech.com/product/1967-1969-camaro-streetgrip-taller-ball-joints-each/?mc_cid=bb7414343e&mc_eid=cee84f0c81

Lower:
https://www.holley.com/products/suspension_and_chassis/ball_joints/ball_joints/parts/101-10013

[dhutton]

SPC upper arms might be a solution.

[ModernMuseum]

SPC upper arms might be a solution.

Thanks. I might have to look into that.

I actually think I got it dialed in pretty close over the weekend (plus 4-ish caster on both sides and about -.5 camber). However, I drove it around a bit, put in about 5 gallons of gas and came home and it looks like I'm back at +1 degree of camber for some reason. Maybe the additional weight added to the rear is driving up the front of the car, or maybe it just needs a few miles to settle into place? I did manage to get the upper arm about 1/4" away from the belt on the driver's side, so I'm safe for now but we'll see after I add another 1/16" shim.

This whole process has added to my level of distrust for reputable alignment shops. I know they have their digital measurements, but the car was driving just as good or better than it has ever driven after I did everything myself.

[ModernMuseum]

Ok, so I'm bumping this one again. The best I can get is about +0.5degrees of camber. I don't know if it's this or my best-I-can-do home alignment job but she's not driving the greatest. I think I'm going to have to go ahead and order/install some of the Global West offset shafts to get more negative camber and flange up the alignment. Does this make sense?

https://www.globalwest.net/702.html

211662

[Lonnies Performance]

No... the offset shafts allow more adjustment, but you have a clearance issue, not an adjustment issue.

You need a smaller diameter upper control arm for more engine clearance.
If you run out of stud for the shims, then you need the offset shaft.

This smaller bushing like these from Summit will give you more clearance.
211663

[mmosley]

However, I drove it around a bit, put in about 5 gallons of gas and came home and it looks like I'm back at +1 degree of camber for some.

Is your subframe mounted solid? Is something else loose? Lower control arm bushings good? Doesn’t get much easier than aligning these old Chevrolets. I never cared for the shaft w/ the shims; prefer something a little more solidly mounted. The suggestion of going to the SPC is not a bad idea. The shaft is mounted without shims and you adjust the arms. So addresses your clearance issue and gives you the adjustability. Their lower arms give you a 1” drop and a little more castor dialed in. They have multiple options including accommodations for coil overs.

[red67camaro]

+1 to the idea of the SPC arms. I put them on my Camaro several years ago. I tried them first with the stock lower arms, but adjusting in a lot of caster put the wheels too close to the rear of the fender wells. The SPC lowers cured that problem. Also available for the lowers are spring pocket shims so you can adjust the ride height.

[mmosley]

Is your subframe mounted solid? Is something else loose? Lower control arm bushings good? Doesn’t get much easier than aligning these old Chevrolets. I never cared for the shaft w/ the shims; prefer something a little more solidly mounted. The suggestion of going to the SPC is not a bad idea. The shaft is mounted without shims and you adjust the arms. So addresses your clearance issue and gives you the adjustability. Their lower arms give you a 1” drop and a little more castor dialed in. They have multiple options including accommodations for coil overs.

Still bothers me that the camber changed when you drove the car; see if you can figure out what causes that before you throw money at the issue.

[ModernMuseum]

Thanks for the replies guys. Just now getting back around to looking at them - been a hell of a week.

I guess I can try and see why the camber might have changed. I'm just using a cheap (but seems well constructed enough) ebay-type camber gauge. It's not exact but I think it's accurate enough to get it roughly dialed in.

I guess if I do have to take the whole thing apart again, I'll just replace the uppers and lowers. It sucks because I spent a ton of time reconditioning the stockers with nice ball joints and everything, which wasn't exactly cheap.

[Joe_Rocket]

Did you consider or already do the Guldstrand mod in combination with the tall upper ball joint? It would drop the upper arm mounting position and might help with your belt clearance.

[btmatt]

also 1st Gen Camaro BBC Frame Stands will offset the engine 3/4" to passenger side

[cdrod]

I would go with some SPC upper arms and tall ball joints from Howe or ProForged. Taller balljoints raise the upper pick-up points of the ball joint for better camber curve in suspension travel - see link below.

Rodney



https://www.spcalignment.com/component/spc/?task=part_description&pid=97120®ion=USA&make=Chevrolet&model=Camaro&year=1969 - 1969&from=USAFrom&to=USATo


https://howeracing.com/collections/howe-precision-ball-joints/Upper-Ball-Joints

[Elbert]

+1 to the idea of the SPC arms. I put them on my Camaro several years ago. I tried them first with the stock lower arms, but adjusting in a lot of caster put the wheels too close to the rear of the fender wells. The SPC lowers cured that problem. Also available for the lowers are spring pocket shims so you can adjust the ride height.

Okay, I will tip a friend about SPC arms. His incoming Camaro project got some camber issues and the rear wheels are very close to the fender wells. The tires are due as well so he ordered a set from 4Wheelonline and it's good time to do the height adjustment.