C2 F-40 Suspension with L-78

[Mark S. Lovejoy]

Was F-40 an option or mandatory with the L-78 engine?

The '65 L-78 roadster we are restoring has a nine leaf rear spring and 7/8" dia front stablizer bar which are 'standard' components. The JG mentions standard suspension for big blocks but shows F-40 for L-84 and L-78, hence my confusion.

The copy of the AIM we have is missing the F-40 section. Anyone have those sheets? Maybe we could get a copy?

Thanks,

Mark

[James W.]

Re: C2 F-40 Suspension with L-78

Mark,

We are also restoring an L-78 equipped 1965 roadster also and it has the standard suspension. The F40 suspesion was not mandatory on L-78 equipped cars but was an option only for the L-78 and L-84 equipped cars, not on lower hp equipped cars.

Best Regards,

James West
Omaha, NE.

[Wayne M.]

Re: C2 F-40 Suspension with L-78

Mark -- My 396 also has just the regular suspension. Notice on UPC 1 Option Index page (just after UPC 14 C10 (protect-o-plate page) that F40 is shown with an asterisk, which (at the bottom right of the page) [says] "Denotes option indexed only".

Also, 2nd page of AIM (Introduction) states that only options varying in assembly from regular production are illustrated; all others are listed in the option index only.

In fact, the regular suspension L78, with its 15/16" dia. front sway bar (only avail. w/big blocks starting in Feb 1965) is one more indicator (if unmolested) of a factory 396 that no longer has it's original motor.

[Mark S. Lovejoy]

Re: C2 F-40 Suspension with L-78

James,

Thanks for the info. Our car is a April 13th build, yours?

Would you have a early '65 696 alternator?

Thanks,

Mark
Central Connecticut

[Mark S. Lovejoy]

Re: C2 F-40 Suspension with L-78

Wayne,

Thanks for the response. If I understand correctly the 7/8" dia front sway bar is not correct for the L-78?

Thanks,

Mark

[Duke W.]

Re: C2 F-40 Suspension with L-78

It's never been clear to me if F-40 was available with L-78, but if the JG says it was, then I assume that orginal F-40/L-78 combinations have been observed. The base L-78 suspension was specifically calibrated with a 7/8" front bar (3/4" on base SBs) , 9/16" rear bar, the same rear spring as base on 327s, and longer front springs of similar variable rate as base 327s to maintain ride height with the extra weight. This same setup was also base for '66-'67 BBs.

F-41 became available ONLY with L-72 in '66 and was mandatory with L-88 beginning in '67. It consisted of the same components as F-40 - front and rear springs (550/305 lb/inch, which about double the average rate of the base variable rate springs), 15/16" front bar, shocks, and lower rear shock mounts, which were substituted for base BB components and the 9/16" rear remained, so either base or F-41 has a 9/16" rear bar.

Duke

[Bill W.]

Re: C2 F-40 Suspension with L-78

standard 65 was 3/4,standard L78 is 7/8, F40 was 15/16..not many F40s out there....Bill

[Wayne M.]

Should'a said 7/8" bar -- Duke has it right *NM*