Ok, I'm still looking forward, planning on a complete overhaul of the front end. I am not going to attempt this myself, a shop owner I've know for 30 yrs or so has agreed to do it for me. What I'm looking for is knowledge, I want to know what to ask for and not sound like I know nothing about the front suspension,

aside from all the bushings and parts that need to be replaced, I need to know if I need new coil springs and what shocks to buy. I also need to understand clearences and how the car will sit when done.

We have 14" x 7 rally 2's, at the current time we have slightly smaller tires on the front that lowers the front end a little.

i kinda need to be told what shocks to get. the coil springs are puzzling to me, how do I know if I should replace? or is it just a know fact that after 48 yrs They're shot?
any advice on this subject would be great.

Thanks Bill V

Not to say your springs are shot but if they are original it probably wouldn't hurt to replace them since you're going to all the trouble. Pontiac motors are fairly heavy so they tend to wear springs pretty good.
Shocks-KYB gas adjust shocks are pretty stiff. I've read where they supposedly add 40 lbs of spring rate. They might do well in conjunction with stock springs though.

Bob, thanks for your reply. since starting this post I had speak a half hour with the guy who is going to do the work, someone I trust completely. I asked him about the springs, he asked how it was stored all these yrs, Blocks??? I told him never ever blocks. His reply was the springs may be alittle off then, should replace. Add that to your comments Bob and thats now a done deal, I will replace springs with a set of stock springs.

I've been reading up on your KYB shocks as you suggested. Tons of reviews and most are very good, I just happened to open the Ames catolog and they suggested the same shocks for drivers opposed to the org looking ones they sell too.

Thanks Bob, the journey continues

Bill V

remember, on a v8 in 1969 the new centerlink is the really hard part to find. I had mine rebuilt by Rare Parts. looks like new with new joints in it.

OK Cole, thats exactly what I'm talking about, I have no idea what a centre link is or how rare it might be.

Thanks bill v

i will search it when I leave firstgen

I went with the QA1 coil overs and stock control arms. Replaced all the bushing and ball joints. I use for my car for cruising and I really like the ability to set the ride height. Also converted front drum brakes to disc.

The 1969 V 8 centerlink is a one year part not remanufactured or interchanged with other models. It has wearable joints in it, thus it wears out. Rare parts is the only place I found to rebuild these. My guess is most people can't find a replacement center link and leave the old one with the resulting loose steering. The Camaro centerlink is completely different and won't work.

How much does rare get to " rebuild" them? I would think all it is is maybe sand blast, paint, press two ball joints and drop it in a box. Probably take one guy an hour.

https://secure.amesperf.com/qilan/Detail_Web?part_num=FS132K&order_number_e=NDM1MDI5NA%3D%3D%0A&web_access=Y

Ames part number
fs132k

As Merve pointed out, the 6-cyl version center link is the same except for the bends being a little different. It will work just fine.

One word of advise when it comes to replacing the springs as I went through 3 changes the past year! As I'm sure you know the springs will set the stance/ride height in front. It depends heavily on what your rear springs are doing...worn or raised rear end. If you get stock replacement coil springs and your rear springs are stock...AND you like the stock ride height you're good. If you're like me and have the rear slightly higher than stock and run 15" wheels you might want to add a spacer under your coil springs or get Eatons 1" taller that stock. Just my 2cents.

An hour.....lol
I've personally rebuilt 100's over the past 25 years
And anyone who has done this themselves knows.
If you want it done right and looking original it takes much longer. Just the sand blasting takes over an hour then add on correct primer/painting time is just not dipping in a barrel of black paint.
You get what you pay for.

Well you would know better than I then chief, since I have never done one, but i wonder just how much time a production shop is going to spend rebuilding a part with two ball joints. Not that long I wouldn't think. After all they are in it to make money...bottom line.

True an average repair shop won't go through all the details to the control arms and just bang it out fast as they can take your money.
For anyone who is going to do this themselves a good power washer will help clean most of the 50 years of crud off the subframe and control arm's before disassembly.

well, that centre link is a problem as thought above. The guy doing the work thought he might be able to get one through his channels but found that you guys were right. I had left him a catalogue from Ames just in case, he called and had to order one as Ames said 2 week delivery. I will keep the org. and rebuild if needed.

thanks bill v