1966 427 Fender Height with BB Springs - does this look to low?

[Barry J.]

Good evening all! I have just set the body back on my 66 427 425 and it appears that the front sets a little low. Does anyone know the correct front and rear fender height from GM. This photo does not show the goodyear power cushion gold strip (7.75x15) that is on the car but does show the difference from the front and the rear - tire clearance to fender.

Could the old coil springs which i reused creeped lower over the years? It does have the F41 but I don't know if that matters?

Second question is related to the side exhaust insulation. Does anyone have any recommendations on correct replacement vender?

We plan to crank the car this week, stencil frame, install the carper and the seats, bumpers, emblems and finish it up, 10 years coming and we are almost there!

Thanks

[Bill W.]

Re: 1966 427 Fender Height with BB Springs - does this look to low?

I wish my Maroon 65 was that far along . I think your front looks good , The rear is a little high , when it drops the front will raise a little . Put the car on rollers . Loosen the front bolts on your trailing arms . disconnect the lower shock from the mount . Add weight to the rear conv. top compartment . (sand bags , blocks ,etc. ) Add at least 250 or 300 lbs . Let it sit a few days you can bounce it from time to time . Tighten the trailing arm bolts with the weight still in . That should do it . It will also settle when you drive it .

[Michael H.]

Re: 1966 427 Fender Height with BB Springs - does this look to low?

Good evening all! I have just set the body back on my 66 427 425 and it appears that the front sets a little low. Does anyone know the correct front and rear fender height from GM. This photo does not show the goodyear power cushion gold strip (7.75x15) that is on the car but does show the difference from the front and the rear - tire clearance to fender.

Could the old coil springs which i reused creeped lower over the years? It does have the F41 but I don't know if that matters?

Second question is related to the side exhaust insulation. Does anyone have any recommendations on correct replacement vender?

We plan to crank the car this week, stencil frame, install the carper and the seats, bumpers, emblems and finish it up, 10 years coming and we are almost there!

Thanks

Barry

Actually, both front and rear appear to be too high. That's exactly what I would expect to see though since it looks like you still have a LOT of Corvette to assemble.

You won't see anything close to actual ride height until you have installed several hundred more pounds of components. In fact, it usually takes the last 100 pounds or so to get the suspension to come down to actual ride height.

[Barry J.]

Re: 1966 427 Fender Height with BB Springs - does this look to low?

I was thinking the front was already to low but the rear being so high may lead me to this conclusion.

You are right, lots of items to install in the next two weeks!

Would any of the reference manuals state the fender height from the floor to the bottom of the fender just above the tire?

[Michael H.]

Re: 1966 427 Fender Height with BB Springs - does this look to low?

I was thinking the front was already to low but the rear being so high may lead me to this conclusion.

You are right, lots of items to install in the next two weeks!

Would any of the reference manuals state the fender height from the floor to the bottom of the fender just above the tire?

Barry

I don't think there is any reference material listed for that dimension. There are dimensions for suspension ride height though. Look in the AIM or service manual.

[Michael G.]

Re: 1966 427 Fender Height with BB Springs - does this look to low?

Barry

Actually, both front and rear appear to be too high. That's exactly what I would expect to see though since it looks like you still have a LOT of Corvette to assemble.

You won't see anything close to actual ride height until you have installed several hundred more pounds of components. In fact, it usually takes the last 100 pounds or so to get the suspension to come down to actual ride height.

I'm with Mike on his accessment. You do have a ways to go adding components.......even then front and rear springs will settle in.

[Duke W.]

Re: 1966 427 Fender Height with BB Springs - does this look to low?

Barry

I don't think there is any reference material listed for that dimension. There are dimensions for suspension ride height though. Look in the AIM or service manual.

As stated you need to measure the Z and D dimensions as outlined in the CSM and AIM. There is no specification for tire to top of fender distance.

The car needs to be fully assembled and moved around enough after coming off jackstands to allow the suspension to fully settle.

F-41 Z and D are probably different from the base suspension springs.

Duke

[Jim H.]

Re: 1966 427 Fender Height with BB Springs - does this look to low?

Good evening all! I have just set the body back on my 66 427 425 and it appears that the front sets a little low. Does anyone know the correct front and rear fender height from GM. This photo does not show the goodyear power cushion gold strip (7.75x15) that is on the car but does show the difference from the front and the rear - tire clearance to fender.

Could the old coil springs which i reused creeped lower over the years? It does have the F41 but I don't know if that matters?

Second question is related to the side exhaust insulation. Does anyone have any recommendations on correct replacement vender?

We plan to crank the car this week, stencil frame, install the carper and the seats, bumpers, emblems and finish it up, 10 years coming and we are almost there!

Thanks

Barry, FWIW, my '66 427/390 w/new standard spec F41 front and rear suspension sits much lower in front (1.5-2") and a little lower (.5-1") in the rear. My ride height in rear L to R differs about .75" (L lower than R) which made me crazy until my mechanic and I did a check of about a dozen mid-years and found similar discrepancies, although most were in the .25-.5" inch range. I am running an OEM iron intake (rather than your 425 aluminum intake), aluminum radiator and no P/S or A/C. I am running a modern GM/'06 GTO aluminum pare saver spare rather than the full knock off and tire which is about twice the weight and compresses the rear a little more. Pix attached. JCHIMG_3189.jpgIMG_3163.jpg

[Patrick B.]

Re: 1966 427 Fender Height with BB Springs - does this look to low?

I was under the impression that F-41 suspension lowered the car almost an inch but I can find nothing about the F-41 option in the assembly manual.

[Bill M.]

Re: 1966 427 Fender Height with BB Springs - does this look to low?

I was under the impression that F-41 suspension lowered the car almost an inch but I can find nothing about the F-41 option in the assembly manual.

It's in the '66 Chassis Service Manual.
327 or 427 = 2-1/2
427 w. F41 = 1-1/2

also,
327 w. A/C or 427 w. A/C, PS, PB = 2
327 w/ A/C, Hardtop, PS, PB, PG = 1-1/2

[Patrick B.]

Re: 1966 427 Fender Height with BB Springs - does this look to low?

It's in the '66 Chassis Service Manual.
327 or 427 = 2-1/2
427 w. F41 = 1-1/2

also,
327 w. A/C or 427 w. A/C, PS, PB = 2
327 w/ A/C, Hardtop, PS, PB, PG = 1-1/2

You are right. The same info is in the 67 Chassis Service Manual but not the Assembly Manual. It shows that the F-41 suspension lowers the car one inch in the front, and I think the 7 leaf rear spring does the same in the rear..