i recently bought a new pittman arm for my 68 bird', the original is curved, and this one is strait. the length is exactly the same as well as the hights (from the mounting spot on the box side to the ball joint side ) is the same as well.will the strait one work?? change it change the steering geometry?? was the curve for clearance?? any fellow ponch-ahollic with any info would be greatly appreceated

I have heard of this before and think it was for clearance , but will defer to someone else to clear it up....I think both work , but there was clearance problem of some kind, therefor one had a curve to it.......but cant remember what it was...

It was clearance for the factory exhaust system. The theory is if it fits - use it.

thanks guy's the theory is kinda what i figured as well, just unsure about geometry issues, i also saw a guy on a first gen camaro site useing a longer idler arm than the pittman arm but that did screw up the geometry( 1 inch differance from the right side to the left on the crosslink) my car will have headers anyway, and if clearance issues arise , i'l torch em to fit . anyone used global west's tubeular controll arms?? i bought them and they fit and look awesome!! ( but my sub frame is at home and the rest at the body shop)

I' was wondering the same thing went I bought mine.
My bird is a 68' with the long branch manifolds.
I put the straight one on and it seems to clear.
Don't get rid of your curved one they can be rebuilt.
That would be a good ebay item. I think

I also have GW upper and lower control arms on my car. But mine is also not on the road yet, so I can't really comment more on them.

If you have log style manifolds the straight pitman will collapse the down pipe to about 1/2 it's original diameter - I know this from experience.

You may not have a problem with RA manifolds or headers.

The curved ones are available through PY and Ames for $100+. Rare Parts is the place that rebuilds them.

John