Any recommendations/experiences in rebuilding suspension on '63? Understand original front springs were considered weak. What would I replace them with? How about rear springs? 9 leaf standard is what I assume I will use, but are there better suppliers or manufacturers? Have what seems to be all original components, but am I right in replacing them to get best ride and handling? Doing complete restoration.
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Re: Suspension help
The '63 spring rates are well thought out, and unless yours are severely corroded, reuse them after rebuilding the rear spring with new liners and link cushions.
The best ride and handling is obtained by understanding tires and shocks and selecting such that will achieve your goals, whatever they are.
duke -
Re: Suspension help
Neither front nor rear springs look that bad as far as corrosion. Would I sand blast them and paint or is there more to reconditioning them? Does rebuilding the rear require anything beyond that? Thanks for your help. New to this and just want to do what's right by the car.Comment
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Re: Suspension help
Just replaced the front springs on my 63 and had a hard time coming up with the proper spring (height). Finally was directed to Long Island Corvette. They supplied me with the correct front springs. They are a bit abrupt but very accomodating. Good Luck with your restoration.
BillComment
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Re: Suspension help
I guess my first question should be "How do I know that the springs need replacing?" Measure height?Comment
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Re: Suspension help
It depends on what your objectives are. The front springs did not originally have any kind of anti-corrosion coating. The rear spring had a grey paint, but only one one side of the leaves, the bottom side I believe.
You can check the front springs for free length compared to the AMA specifications, and if they are reasonably in spec and not severely corroded, they should last another 40 years. If the rear leaves are not severely corroded, any rear sag is probably due to ancient, compressed, rock hard spring link cushions, and new ones will restore ride height.
To ensure long term longevity for the front springs, I would clean the surface and apply an anticorrosion coating, however, this will result in a small deduction in Flight judging, but restoring the original "mill scale finish" can be difficult. GM was never concerned that these cars would be highly desireable decades after they were built, and they weren't concerned with springs life since they it's rarely the limiting factor in a car's life.
The rear spring should be disassembled, cleaned, leaves inspected, coated (if desired), reassembled with new liners, and installed with new link cushions.
There is no point in replacing good parts that were originally well engineered, when all they need is a good cleaning, inspection, and cosmetic restoration.
DukeComment
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Re: Suspension help
Thanks for the advice. Where do I get liners and cushions?Comment
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Re: Suspension help
Thanks, just looked them up.Comment
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