69 el Camino. Adding weight for balance..

[pitts64]

I have a 69 el Camino SS396. It has a 454 th-400 10 bolt.

I updated the front and rear suspension with SC&C Stage III with Howe .9 and .5 tall ball joints, Lee 14:1 30 pound. Stock front springs, 4 Bilstine shocks, BMR 2" lowering springs on the rear along with Spohn Delsphere adjustable rear control arms. It sits level and slightly over all lower.

I notice that when I load up the passenger side floor behind the seat with tools or a passenger, it tracks nice and straight with less correction. With no extra weight, it slightly favors the right. It has a more confident feel with the added weight.

I wonder what could be causing this..

[tmcmillan5]

Hey Nice looking car you have there.

Sorry I can't answer you on the weight issue but if I may comment further:
I have a 68 convertible with a lot of the suspension mods you mention Vari shock coilovers on 4 corners, SC&C stuff up front with all UMI stuff in the rear. With 18" wheels I sit at 25" at the wheel opening all around and factory front sway bar up front, no rear. I love the way it handles.
Much like your car I added a higher HP engine (2007 LS2) with a 4L70 trans mated to my old posi 10 bolt.
Witch brings me to my point. Much like you I spent a bunch to get this car where I really enjoyed driving it all on the back of that 10 bolt. I was worried an axle would come loose and destroy my new quarter panels and paint job. So I did a bit of homework and ended up buying a Strange S60 w/an S-trac w/helical gears @ 3.54 ratio complete w/ wilwood disc brake and a new 3" drive shaft from PEM on ebay.

The guy from Strange said I should not feel any difference from my old 10 bolt but I would beg to differ, You can feel the power transfer through both rear wheels and the feel through turns is amazing.

Anyway it was your 10 bolt that caught my eye and your nice looking car of course.

[pitts64]

Thank you. Very nice set up you have.. Yes those axels worry me too...

BTW I feel silly but very relieved! The issue with my car was the tire pressure was down on the front right tire LOL.. This is my first Chevy in a few decades. I have to remember they are built very well and unlike my other cars, issues are usually very simple fixes that get fixed the first time !!

I really love this el Camino! I just retired and have a real nice car to hang out with. I love how nimble it handles in big city traffic.

[pitts64]

It turns out I do need to add some weight to the passenger (right) side.

I went to the annual Beaver Pennsylvania. car cruise yesterday. It's a annual event. They close down the main street and only oldspecial cars are allowed to drive the main street. They play fiftes, sixties and seventies Country, Rock N Roll, Soul & R&B They play Porkey Chedwick, Terry Lee, Mad Man Mike music, the show is / wamazing!

[Mr Nick]

How much weight are you thinking of adding?

Might want to consider finding a competent alignment shop, check the alignment with just you in the driver seat. Then add a hefty mechanic in the passenger seat and see how the alignment looks. They may be able to identify and fix the issue without you needing to add weight.

[pitts64]

Thats what I did except I used my grandson who weighs about 210.. We went to the annual Beaver Pa car cruise. Its a 30 mile one way drive up and back. The car handled and rode like brand new, actually, much better then brand new..

I'm looking for some steel 12" x 16" x 1/2" thick. I'll hammer it so it fits the floor behind the passenger seat like a glove. I might open up the access panel in the bed but my buddy did such a nice job on the bed I hate to open it up, I have to find out if he tacked it closed.