I was wondering what the correct ride height is for a 68. I had some say at cruise nights this past summer that my car looked a bit high (I tend to agree but don't know what's correct). I currently have 215/70R15's on her, which puts the outer diameter of each tire at 26.8". As you can see in my signature pic, the back (to me) looks a bit high.

Here's another pic from the side:



What would cause that besides incorrect coil springs? How about incorrect shocks?

Looks close to me.....someone (I think Vikki) posted those specs this summer I think....

The rear is a bit high. Do you have a spare tire, jack, full tank of gas and normal accoutrements in the trunk?

If you replaced the leaf springs, did you leave the nuts and bolts loose until the car was down on all fours?

Shocks would be a contributing factor in one of two situations. 1. If they were air shocks and pressurized fairly high or 2. If they were the wrong length and were holding up the rear at full compression. 2 is unlikely, you can test by stepping into the trunk and bouncing, see if the rear goes down as well as up.

Have an observer look at or photograph the car from the same angle with you in the trunk and see if the stance is corrected.

From the factory, the tail is very slightly lower than the nose. Yours is a little tail-high, and a little high all around.

I don't know if this helps any but in my magazines, for a 67, I found that the Sprint has 7" ground clearance, 400 vert ground 5.4" , another says Sprint is 6.2" ground, 400 hardtop 7.1" ground and all say height is 51.5". Consumer Reports says height 52" loaded, ground clearance 5.8" no load, 3.8" max load for a 67 with 326 v8.

Thanks all.

I suspect the clearance data was the same for 68 and is a good reference nonetheless.

I have the correct space saver tire, jack and accessories in the trunk - no more or less than what should be there. I also don't have air shocks but I think the problem is the shocks (the response when I hit a bump or pothole supports this). I will give it the bounce test on the weekend and let you know.

Thanks,

It always seems to work out for me that when I can't quite get a floor jack under it anymore, it's about the right height(in the front anyway). As far as the back, I like a car that has rockers paralel to the ground. JMHO.

I think the specs are in the PSM.

I tried the bounce test as Vikki suggested. The car did go up and down but with very little play and it stopped moving when I did.

I also measured the height from the bottom of the rocker panel molding at the point just behind the LH front wheel and just before the LH back wheel. At the front, the space was 10 5/8" from the ground to the bottom of the molding, and the back was 10 7/8", again from the ground to the bottom of the rocker molding. The 1/4" difference is tolerable.

Anyone willing to capture the same measurements and share them with me?

Thanks,

I saw the specs somewhere too...unfortunately my manuals are boxed while the house is on the market....I could measure mine if you want, I did measure it last year and it was very close...

Thanks Dave. Would greatly appreciate it if you could share the same measurements. Also, what size are your tires?

Mark,

If you scroll through the pics on my photobucket, you will see a nice side shot of my '68 at the marina. I think it sits about how the original 'birds sat. (saggy butt syndrome)

There are also some shots of my '67 with new leaf springs. I ordered Healy springs to 'original' specs, but my car sits a bit high like yours. I am hoping it will settle back down a bit by next summer. The ride and suspension however, is far suppierior to my '68 with the original springs.

I can't measure my '68 for you because it is all torn down for the winter. I'm having the engine/trans rebuilt.

All-in-all I think your car sits tastefully well!

The specs are in the Pontiac Service Manual. The Firebird sat much lower than most people realize, and most restored Birds today sit up WAY too high. But...it's all personal preference. I think the reason the old Musclecars have "risen" over the years is because of the use of incorrect aftermarket springs. In most contemporary books and magazines, most Birds sit way too high. I like to use original road tests and factory photos as a reference, as well as old TV commercials, TV shows, etc.

Pontiac Service Manual

Measure from the bottom of rocker panel, where the door gap is:

Front rocker panel to ground - 7.0"
Rear rocker panel to ground - 6.2"

Yes, the rear end sat lower than the front when they were new, that was the style back then, but I prefer a level stance.

Thanks all. It's looking like the consensus is that, though not factory correct (3.5" off - wow!), my ride height isn't bad. Cool magazine pics and I always thought it looked odd to have the back lower, like there were cinder blocks in the trunk!

Okay my fronts are 26-1/2" (avg as one side is 1/4 out) on P205/70R14's

Rear is 27-1/2" (avg as one side is 1/4 out) on P245/60R14's.

Seems my drivers side is about 1/4" lower (must be wear n tear from my solo driving LOL)

Measurement is taken to the high point on the wheelwell (to the lip on the chrome trim)

At the rockers thats almost 9"F and almost 10" rear for mine. I like the stance, and as it is now the few times I have had 4 people squeezed in ya sure don't want to hit bumps. and that's with new suspension!

Perhaps the rubber is a bit higher that was stock...

Thanks David. I'll measure from those points and let you know.

'69 spec out at 8.6 front, 8.2 rear. All models* for reference only curb load conditions full fuel tank spec tire pressure standard springs.

When I saw this ad, I thought of this thread. Check out this rear stance!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1967-Pont...=item2557860c09

At one time I had measured mine and found it to be very close to spec heights. I kinda like the saggy Bird butt that our cars are supposed to have...

Yep...compared to David's measurements, even with the bit of added height gained by mine being on 15" rims, I'm still about 1.5" higher.

Wow, there's enough space in those wells to smuggle a family of four over the border.

I'm going to try swapping out the rear shocks to see if that will help. What are the best shocks to install to get the correct ride height in the rear?

Has anyone bought shocks from Espo.com?

I have the Edelbrock IAS shocks all around and am quite happy with them...

Before buying new shocks, simply unbolt your old ones at the bottom, swing them clear, jounce the rear a few times, and check the stance.

Standard oil or gas shocks do NOT lift the car if they are the correct part, properly installed, with proper mounting hardware.

Good advice...thanks!