Putting the front end back together this week with all new MOOG parts, Hotchkis 1" lowering springs, disc brake upgrade, etc. Using old end linkage as a guide to put new together as close to the old end linkage was as possible. Should I use the old rusted shims on upper A arms or go with no shims at all and let the alignment shop put in new ones? Frame is clean and freshly painted. (68 Chevelle Malibu)

I would put the old ones back in
but ask them if they will replace them when they do the alignment

I wouldn't bother putting them in. Probably be just as far off with none as with the old ones since you've replaced so many components. At least that was my theory when I did mine. First time it left the driveway was to go to the alignment shop.

only reason I put the shims in is so when the go to spread the shaft back away from the frame they have more clearence to get a bar in there and don't mar up the paint job so bad if you painted the frame and shaft
otherwise as finally says
it really doesn't matter

Originally posted by Tom's 68 conv:
only reason I put the shims in is so when the go to spread the shaft back away from the frame they have more clearence to get a bar in there and don't mar up the paint job so bad if you painted the frame and shaft
otherwise as finally says
it really doesn't matter That's a good point, never looked at that way. I'll will say the place that did mine does a lot of old cars and they did scratch up the frame. But they understand classics, owner has 3.
Edit: Meant did not scratch frame.