Chevy II front end alignment
 

Looking for front end alignment specs for a 66 Chevy II Super Stocker. Any info will be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Re: Chevy II front end alignment
 

Way back in 1981 the National Dragster had an article regarding this very issue . The bottom line was camber should be 0 to1/4 degree positive and caster should be at least 3 degrees positive ( more is better ; try to achieve parallel with tie rods and control arms ).Keep in mind you may have to heat and bend the steering arms for the best result .

Re: Chevy II front end alignment
 

Go to an older experience Aligment guy
I had my 67 nova done recently
The modern alignment people don’t know what to do

Re: Chevy II front end alignment
 

maybe get ahold of Eddie Rezac from Wahoo Nebraska on this site .. he knows all the front end tricks including selling his reconfigured center link for chevy ll .s

Re: Chevy II front end alignment
 

Alright look here's the deal, You've caught me under the influence or I wouldn't even bother.
Try and keep the camber positive. 1/4 positive is fine. For every 10 MPH over 100 MPH you should try and have 1* positive caster. If you're going 130 MPH, then you need 3* positive caster at least.
The modified center link is a good thing. You want to try and get the tie rod assembly to be roughly the same length as the lower a-frame.
I've bent steering knuckles before. Especially on Chevy IIs (not the best thing in the world). If you can lower the tie rod then drill out the steering knuckle for a 1/2" bolt. Put a rod end in the tie rod sleeve. Start putting spacers between the steering knuckle and the rod end (outer tie rod) and start checking for "bump" steer.
It's better if you can do it on an old mechanical machine because you're going to be raising and lowering the front of the car through it's travel.
It's very time consuming but worth it.

Now, back to Jose!

Re: Chevy II front end alignment
 

Okay...Only had one beer with dinner so I hope I'm qualified.
You said S/S so I assume you have replaced the strut rod rubbers with heims. You can pull the lower control arms forward some to get enough caster.The upper arms can be shimmed back too...as long as you've got a fairly small front tire so they don't hit the headers.
As mentioned, ideally you want the tie rod ends to line up with the lower ball joint and inner pivot point, whatever that takes. The camber eccentric should be tacked in place, once set. Let's see..what else? Toe in an 1/8th..Standard stuff there.
Meanwhile, if you can limit the front end travel, go ahead then. The toe in gets really wacky at the top ;-)

Re: Chevy II front end alignment
 

You will have to radius the lower front fender. I cut a pie shape out and push the return edge forward mig weld . I have 3 degrees and run a 27.5 front tire.

G. Walters F/SA 1770

Re: Chevy II front end alignment
 

Caution on modifying the drag link as I had one break “next” to the weld on our bracket car last year turning onto the track to make a pass…..! It had been welded by someone prior to our purchase who obviously didn’t understand proper procedure.

FYI: Recommend Eddie’s stuff as he knows what he doing and it works.

Re: Chevy II front end alignment
 

Jim, that right there will increase the 'pucker factor'...... ;)

Hope to catch up with you soon. -Al

Re: Chevy II front end alignment
 

Eddie Rezac, 402 443 8424. He makes a kit for Chevy IIs. My car had been modified by Jack Argnew way back in the day, lots of wild stuff done to control arms. Global west makes a lot of good parts for early Nova front ends. Tom

Re: Chevy II front end alignment
 

Pictures of Eddie's kit are about as rare as media coverage of the laptop from hell in 2020. ;-)

Re: Chevy II front end alignment
 

Thanks Tom ..for passing Eddie's phone # along. ..last time I saw / spoke to Eddie was at a PRI show years ago. ..great guy

Re: Chevy II front end alignment
 

Tom ..I also had my 65 Chevelle front end worked over at Jack Arnews in Baltimore back in 1979

Re: Chevy II front end alignment
 

As Mark said, Limit the frontend travel, it get wacky quickly at the top of travel.

Re: Chevy II front end alignment
 

I have 2 Chevy2's and one I installed Eddie's kit. Works great and no problems for drag racing. The other one, I reached out to Pete Zawadzki (sp). and his stuff works too. I'm not sure if he is still messing with Chevy2's? He did sell me a kit, but I believe he prefers car in his shop. I'm in NC and I was able to get his components and he is located up north where it's cold. They can be a mess to drive when the front end gets up.

I had long conversations with Eddie and he said the lower the front end stance is generally the better. He is very knowledgeable with these front ends. Good luck.

Ed

Re: Chevy II front end alignment
 

Jack Arnew or Eddie Rezak

Re: Chevy II front end alignment
 

I have a hunter computerized alignment system. It's an older one but still gives accurate readings. I agree with limiting travel on a Chevy II. I always run the car through the whole suspension travel to check and adjust bump steer. Caster is very important to top end stability. 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 degrees is nice but too much also makes it hard to steer. Camber settings are dependent on how much stuff changes as the suspension goes through it's travel. I watch camber change as I check the bump steer and kind of pick a spot in the middle for a setting. Everything can't be perfect for the whole run but I will raise the front a little to simulate going down the track and set the toe at zero because in or out the tire is still scrubbing. I've been doing this for over 30 years and have had pretty good luck. Just my thoughts. Thanks!

Re: Chevy II front end alignment
 

Are you setting alignment with driver weight in the seat?

Re: Chevy II front end alignment
 

Yes. Sorry I forgot to mention that. I always put weight in the seat to simulate the driver.