[hillpc]

Working on my 67 convertible (326 originally, 400/4 spd since I've had it), bodyshop says the front subframe will need a good bit of work to get it straight. It was driveable before, with stacks of shims at the control arms to get the alignment close, front end sheet metal wasn't too horribly out of kilter. It's in the shop now with no front end on it, no motor/tranny, and new fenders, bumpers, deck lid, old hood to go on after paint. Now they're telling me they can give me a straight 68 Camaro subframe for the car. Sounds like a lot of work to install it though, pulling off the steering, suspension, etc, repainting the new frame (I'd already painted the entire underbody, frame, suspension, gutted interior, firewall with POR-15 before I took it to the shop), reinstalling everything. They said I might break even with the labor required to get the old one straight and it'd end up as a better job to install the straight subframe.

But I'm worried there's additional stuff I gotta do. There are a couple of good posts in this forum, and I need to reread those, but the 2 links to details of subframe differences are all dead now:

some of the '67 to '68 subframe differences:
http://www.badgoat.net/subframes.htm

http://home.woh.rr.com/firebird67/subframe.htm

Any advice for me? Know the new locations? I hate to have to dig up a bunch of 68 parts to make this work.

[ultraman]

I believe all you need to change is the steering arm motor mounts and fuel lines, everything else is the same.

[Hammered]

That second link was my old site, but it linked back to the first so the new site doesn't help you.

As long as you use all the '68 steering components, with the exception of the steering arm, you'll be okay. You need to use a Pontiac V8 (curved steering arm). The main difference is the lower a-arm bumper, btw. The other differences are the diameter of the steering link (thicker/stronger for '68) and the tie round ends screw further into the sleeves. You might also want to use the spindle steering arms from your Firebird, but in general I would use the shorter of the two sets.

Go with the straight frame.

[rockertype]

The "frame" is the same. Use the straight one.

[67 455 Bird ragtop]

Originally Posted by rockertype

The "frame" is the same. Use the straight one.

+1

Just remember to use the Firebird motor mountsupports/brackets from your existing subframe.

[hillpc]

Thanks, guys; I'm taking your advice, having the straight frame sandblasted hopefully this week.

[QUOTE=Hammered;3546844] You need to use a Pontiac V8 (curved steering arm).

I wonder how I got away with the straight pitman arm on my steering box; maybe because I have only ever had headers on the car? Years ago I switched the car from a power to manual steering box, but can't remember where I got all the parts and which ones I changed. I have new headers now; I guess I'll find out if they fit with the straight pitman arm.