F40/F41 Springs

[Rick A.]

Are the springs listed in the Vette catalogues close to the specifications of the "original" F40/41 applications? Some of the catalogues adrvertise a "Grand Touring" spring or something along those lines - would these be similar? Reason I ask, doing 1963 resto and I know the springs that are currently on the car are not the originals, so was thinking of replacing them. TIA Rick

[Joe R.]

Re: F40/F41 Springs

Rick,

Have noticed that nobody is posting to your question. Well here goes. There is no aftermarket spring that even comes close to the 1963 springs (front or rear). The naked truth is the 1963 standard springs were replaced in 1964 with another spring set and carried on throughout the mid year models. The F41 or ZO-6 front spring were 3832518 and were used throughout the mid year models. The rear spring F41 or ZO-6 was the 3828811 and was only used on the 1963 model.
All these part numbers were discontinued long ago by GM.

If you are looking for stock springs to finish your restoration the only place would be to go to swap meets.

Best wishes on your search,

JR

[Joe L.]

Re: F40/F41 Springs

Rick and JR----

The F-40/41 front springs, GM #3832518, were used in PRODUCTION from 1963 through 1973 for cars with HD suspension. They were not unique to 1963. The GM #3832518 was, incidentally, the very last front spring to be available in SERVICE from GM for ANY 53-82 Corvette application. However, it was discontinued a few years ago. Personally, I don't think that any of the "reproduction" springs are the same as the originals with respect to either exact configuration OR rate.

For 1963, the standard suspension front and rear springs were unique, although these may also have been used on very early 1964 models, too. The 63 springs, front and rear, were single stage springs----the front had equal coil spacing and the rear had 9 leaves, all curved. However, the F-40 suspension springs were not really unique to 63. As described above, the front springs were used in PRODUCTION for all F-40/F-41/FE-7 applications through 1973. The rear spring, GM #3828811, was used in PRODUCTION for all 1963-72 Corvettes with F-40/41. The F-40/41 springs, front and rear, were also single stage springs like the 63 standard suspension springs but unlike most other 64-72 springs which were 2 stage (progressive rate) type springs.

I don't think that there is a reproduction spring on the market which exactly duplicates the GM #3828811, either. The closest is the reproduction offered by Eaton Detroit Spring. While the 3828811 was used for a lot more years than 1963, it was never used on many cars. So, finding a used example, particularly a good, serviceable used example, will not be easy.

[Scott C Pfuehler]

Re: F40/F41 Springs

Rick, give Coil Spring Specualties at 785-437-2025 a call, they can and will make any coil spring you wish. You need the part number of the springs you want. I have purchaced several special springs from them and the product was excellent. Scott

[Rick A.]

Re: F40/F41 Springs -Thanks Scott! *NM*

[Rick A.]

Re: F40/F41 Springs

Scott, Joe, et al,

Our own Geoffrey Coenen (Doc Rebuild) just happened to have an NOS set of coil springs for me - talk about beuatiful!!!!!!!

[Danny Pantuso]

Re: F40/F41 Springs

Rick, Should of call your GM Dealer, they have 63 coil springs.