We talk about Axle offset on 1960s GMs and Fix an axle issue on a 1968 Camaro
Episode 489
Autorestomod
Elephant in the room:
a lot of '60s GM cars had the axle offset in the chassis, often by as much as ½ inch! Average is ¼ inch.
From Coil Spring Cars to Leaf Sprung. And it was like that from at least the mid-60s to early ‘70s.
Why? Dunno. Driveline vibration? Design oversight?
So make sure when you are buying aftermarket wheels you check axle offset.
All 6-cylinder cars 1967, 1968, 1969 came with monol-eaf rear springs.
All 1967 models used mono-leaf design rear springs.
For 1968, only certain models with the 10 and 12-bolt rear end received multi-leaf springs. This included all SS models, the Z28, and the L30/M20 275 Horse 327 backed by the Muncie M20 4-speed. All other 1968 models used mono-leaf springs.
In 1969, all models with 12-bolt axles received multi-leaf springs and all models with 350ci engines (10- or 12-bolt) received multi-leaf springs. Vehicles with 307 and 327 engines received mono-leaf springs.
Generally, Z28's used 4-leaf springs and the other multi-leaf spring applications used 5-leaf springs. Spring selection was a function of weight and options - and this was fine-tuned in 1969. SS, LM1, L65, and COPO cars with 4-leaf springs are possible according to factory documentation and they have been observed on original SS, LM1, and L65 cars. Factory documentation indicates that all 68-69 Z28's should have 4-leaf springs. One Z28 (a 69) has been found with apparently original 5-leaf springs. The 5-leaf spring usage on a Z28 should not be considered normal and was probably a dealer installed option
(Cam) Measure chassis to axle.
(Jeff/Cam) Discuss correct spring perches and shock mounts for multi leaf applications
Discuss mono perches vs. multi leaf perches (Best practice)