Just wanted to an opinion before I bolt this on. The top is the one I removed from my car (69 V8 engine.) The lower one is the one I just got from Ames. Is there any reason the new one has the extra bends in it?

Hi there,I just check mine since it is brand new it is the same as your new one an mine came from rare parts.did not check new to old,had to give mine up for core or pay extra 100.00.The only thing I can think why is extra clerance.Jim

one is 6 cyl, one is 8 cyl. What did your description on the Ames part say?

5697552 is 6 cyl part, 7806827 is 8 cyl part. '69 is different than '67-'68.

My '69 came with the straight bar. 400 car.

I ordered one for a 8 cyl. There is no label or any other markings on the plastic bag the new one came in. I wonder if they sent me the wrong one??

It looks from here that it is geometrically the same where it matters. Maybe they are selling one size fits all these days.

.......................... It's possible that it might hit the oil pan if its the one that is for the wrong engine size..

Well, Ames strikes again!!
This is the second time in six months that they have shipped me a part that was NOT what it was described to be in their catalog!

This is their response to my call/email about the center link.

Lee,
These center links are different between the 6 & 8 cylinder cars. We sell the the same piece for both because of the extreme price on the 69 V8 center link and that the one we sell will actually work for both. So the "correct" center link is available, just at a much higher price and it also has a core charge.
Thanks,Jamie
Ames Performance

The straight one is for the v8 and curved is 6cyl,had the same problem 20 years ago,thank god car i just picked up has a brand new one.

Hi did you have any luck with the center link for your 69 Firebird? I'm looking for a center link for my 69 Firebird. I see Ames have one listed for a V8 (#FS132K) and one for a 6cyl (#FS132J) the one I have on my car is like the one in the bottom of Mushroomberts' photo (heavy contour - not straight), which sounds like a 6cyl unit. (My car was original V8 (350) maybe someone has put a 6cyl one in some years ago?)

Does the 6cyl unit work in V8?

FYI It is a power steer car and pitman arm is curved (think this is the original pitman arm)


Thanks for your feedback.

Mike,
I've been out of town and haven't gotten to see anything here.
See the PM I sent you.

Previous inner tie rods (69 firebird) and compare with replacement Moog part ES716

Hi Mike,
I haven't had to replace any of my tie rod ends. I'll try to check what is on my car later today, for you. I did check Moog's website and they list a different part number for each side (ES716 is passenger side & ES717 is drivers side.)
Your pic looks like the new one has more bend putting the ball & socket at a different angle.

I replaced my inners and outers a couple of years ago with Moog. Seems to me inner were the same for both sides but the outers were different. No problems with angles.

Hi just to keep everyone in the loop and for others future ref here is the PM between Lee and myself.

Hi Mike.
I just saw your message (I haven't been on here while I was out of town.)
The center link from Ames seems to fit and work just fine. I haven't had a chance to get to an alignment shop yet, so there could be a difference in overall length but looked very close. I think it should work just fine, just has a little different bend to it.
My original was the straighter bar, but my car was in pieces when I got it, so I can't be sure if it was the original or not.
Hope that helps.
Lee

Thanks Lee. I have done a trial assembly and found Ames supplied one of the inner tie rods incorrectly (mis picked) - correct part is on the way.

Regarding tie rods

The inner tie rods have a kink in them. my originals look to have a more subtle kink than the replacement ones. Ames have supplied one to date (other was the incorrect part) that is Moog part ES716 - this seems to be the correct part number when you Google around i.e. it is what summit racing spec, what the Moog site specs' (when you can find the site) can you give me some feedback on the attached pics vs what you have on your car.

ar cant seem to attach or paste images in - I'll see if I can do it in the original article.

Hi Mike,
The tie rod ends on my car look like your originals. (like I said, I have not changed them, they seem to be in good condition.)
I have the front end on my car apart right now doing A-frame bushings so I can't comment on the slight change in geometry on the new ones. I suspect they should fit fine though. Maybe it's another camaro cross-over.