Re: '63 Idler Arm Attachment - Chevy or Bubba?

[Douglas C.]

I have an early '63 Convt. with a late Dec. '62 build date.

The idler arm is attached with a reinforcement or bracket behind the nut on the upper bolt as seen in the photo.

This seems to deviate from the AIM (Sect. 9, Sheet 2.0) which only shows a lock washer behind the upper nut. Is this factory correct or was this added by a prior owner?

Thanks for any responses.

--Doug

[Joe R.]

Re: '63 Idler Arm Attachment - Chevy or Bubba?

Doug,

Looks like Bubba has worked on your 63 at some time in it's history. The idler is not correct and was modified in some way to fit or function. Also, there is a pull mark that would spell out that it has been on an frame alignment machine sometime in it's past. The evidence is in the oval hole just to the rear of the idler.

JR

[Paul J.]

Re: '63 Idler Arm Attachment - Chevy or Bubba?

Doug,

Looks like Bubba has worked on your 63 at some time in it's history. The idler is not correct and was modified in some way to fit or function. Also, there is a pull mark that would spell out that it has been on an frame alignment machine sometime in it's past. The evidence is in the oval hole just to the rear of the idler .

JR

Nice catch.

[Joe L.]

Re: '63 Idler Arm Attachment - Chevy or Bubba?

Doug,

Looks like Bubba has worked on your 63 at some time in it's history. The idler is not correct and was modified in some way to fit or function. Also, there is a pull mark that would spell out that it has been on an frame alignment machine sometime in it's past. The evidence is in the oval hole just to the rear of the idler.

JR

JR-------


Just so everyone understands, LOTS and LOTS of Corvettes have been on frame-straightening machines during their lives, with or without the evidence of the distortion seen in this photo.

[Douglas C.]

Re: '63 Idler Arm Attachment - Chevy or Bubba?

Thanks Joe for the response.

Looks like I'll be tracking down the correct bolts for the idler arm.

[Douglas C.]

Re: '63 Idler Arm Attachment - Chevy or Bubba?

I'm not concerned - I'm just glad I was able to save the original frame. The car is an original black/red '63 convt. - so I figured it was worth saving.

[Douglas C.]

Re: '63 Idler Arm Attachment - Chevy or Bubba?

The idler arm pic was from 4 years ago - when I disassembled the chassis, I pretty much took photos of everything.

Here's what the chassis looks like today - still a work in progress. Just trying to get the steering linkage, tie rods, relay rod, etc. back into the car.

[Joe R.]

Re: '63 Idler Arm Attachment - Chevy or Bubba?

Douglas,

Great looking chassis and yes, these old Corvettes are worth saving. Doing a red/red 63 roadster that I pulled from the junk yard where it had been since the 60's.

JR


PS. Just so everyone understands!!!

[Joe L.]

Re: '63 Idler Arm Attachment - Chevy or Bubba?

Thanks Joe for the response.

Looks like I'll be tracking down the correct bolts for the idler arm.

Douglas------


The upper bolt was trimmed hex head of 3/8-24 X 1-1/8". It was a full thread bolt and was black phosphate-finished. It was GM 280M material grade (3 lines). RBW was one of the headmarkings.

The lower bolt was a carriage bolt of 3/8-24 X 4-1/2". It was black phosphate-finished and 280-M material grade. RBW was one of the headmarkings.