67 L79 spring confusion

[Tony DiGiorgio]

Hello all,.
We took a set of springs (no tags on them) off of my friends 67 L79, He ordered new springs from a supplier and their configuration is much different. In his documentation from past owner, apparently owner had springs replaced on car in 91. Link to photos shows springs side by side. Can any help advice be given on this? Tall spring came off car, short spring was sent by supplier (well known repor parts house)
Thansk for your help in advance
Tony

[Michael H.]

Re: 67 L79 spring confusion

Tony,

The short spring looks like an F41 HD spring instead of the correct standard spring that an L79 car would have. Wonder if the supplier sent the incorrect springs?

[Rob A.]

Re: 67 L79 spring confusion

I wasn't able to see the pics you referred to, but....often times suppliers will offer a spring that may be shorter in length with fewer coils, but supposively results in the same ride height once installed. I bought a set of "exact blueprint" reproduction springs from Long Island(pretty expensive). The over-all length and # of coils was correct, but after installation they did not provide the correct, original ride height. The car was lower than stock, and as a result almost no shims were required to set the correct camber.

[Michael H.]

Re: 67 L79 spring confusion

Rob,

The spring on the left looks like it has about 7 active coils (F41/HD?) and the spring on the right looks like about 12. The spring on the right also appears to be progressive wound but the short spring does not. Theres about 5" difference in total height. I'll see if I can repost his pic.

[Rob A.]

Re: 67 L79 spring confusion

Tony,

Most suppliers, if you ask, will tell you if the springs they are sending you are physically configured like original, (# of coils and length prior to installation), or whether they will provide the correct ride height but not look the same.

[Rob A.]

Re: 67 L79 spring confusion

Tony,

Call the supplier that sent you the springs and ask him if they are supposed to be physically the same as original, or different, but provide the correct height to the front end.

[Michael H.]

Re: 67 L79 spring confusion

Rob,

I'll try to repost Tony's pic. You'll see what I mean about "not even close". I'm pretty sure they sent him an F41 spring instead of the correct SB springs.

[Michael H.]

Tony's Spring Pic *NM*

[John H.]

Re: 67 L79 spring confusion

Neither one is configured like the original #3851100 spring, which was a variable-rate spring with progressive coil spacing; since GM discontinued it, front springs are a real crapshoot When someone finds a spring source that can supply springs that provide correct ride height (and don't have buckboard load rates), I hope they post the vendor and the part number.

[Patrick H.]

Re: 67 L79 spring confusion

Yes, but I think it will be a while, and the instructions will be in Spanish.

I think you know of what I speak.

PH

[Dick W.]

Re: 67 L79 spring confusion

Michael, I do not believe that the spring is an F41. The coil spacing appears to be too far apart for one. The one's that I have seen have a real tight spacing.

[Michael H.]

Re: 67 L79 spring confusion

I think you are correct Dick. I saw the coil count (7) which is the correct number for the F41 spring and assumed that's what it was. Hard to tell exactly what these springs are.