72 with a/c coil spring replacement

[Russ S.]

Re: 72 with a/c coil spring replacement

This spacer was available thru GM parts. I purchased a set back in the late 70s.

This is an update to the original post. I finally removed the springs today and was very surprised to discover they were actually 15 1/2 inches in height, with an addition 1 inch spacer below. There's no telling what spring "Bubba" installed in this car but it definitely wasn't the correct one. I've decided to try the springs from Zip. They advertise them as exact reproductions of the 331316 spring that replaced the 3931823 original spring for a small block, no a/c car. Although they say they are exact reproductions, the spring rate is 430 lbs. which is substantially heavier than the 1823 spring. This spring appears to be the closest to original equipment that's currently available.

Attached are a couple of photos of the old spring and spacer.

Mike

[Michael B.]

Re: 72 with a/c coil spring replacement

Joe and Ed,

I had no idea GM made even spring spacers. Did they ever install these spacers at the factory, or would they have been installed at a later date?

Here's a couple photos of the car prior to disassembly. It's the base engine car in the foreground on one picture, and to the right in the other.

Any opinions on ride height?

Mike

[Edward J.]

Re: 72 with a/c coil spring replacement

The couple sits perfectly (with rally wheels). the one with turbine caps is low. If the factory put them I would think the AIM would should this part.

[Edward J.]

Re: 72 with a/c coil spring replacement

Mike here is a pic of my 72 hope it helps

[Richard M.]

Re: 72 with a/c coil spring replacement

Rich-------

Yes, I went back and checked my "secondary" inventory list and found that I did have the springs. The hard part was digging them out. I almost wished I didn't have them; tote bins full of coil springs are HEAVY. However, there are a few 1964-74 Corvette coil springs that I do not have NOS examples of (yet).

Joe, Heavy is so true. Glad you had them to compare. I'm certain it's helping Mike make a "good" decision.

Rich

[Patrick H.]

Re: 72 with a/c coil spring replacement

The couple sits perfectly (with rally wheels). the one with turbine caps is low.

I'll disagree. I think that the rally wheel car sits a bit high, the other one just right.
Mike, there are pics of my car in my link that might help.

Patrick

[Joe L.]

Re: 72 with a/c coil spring replacement

Joe and Ed,

I had no idea GM made even spring spacers. Did they ever install these spacers at the factory, or would they have been installed at a later date?

Here's a couple photos of the car prior to disassembly. It's the base engine car in the foreground on one picture, and to the right in the other.

Any opinions on ride height?

Mike

Mike------

I don't know if the spacers were ever installed at the factory but yours make me very suspicious that they were. For some reason, yours just "feel like" factory-installed to me. However, spacers were sometimes added by dealers if customers complained about low ride height. Primarily, this affected later C2 with big block, but it might have been applied to others, too.

The specification for your car is as follows:

measurement from the apex of the front wheel well opening to the ground-------27-3/4"

The above is measured with stock F-70-15 tires and at curb weight (all fluids filled to capacity)

[Joe L.]

Re: 72 with a/c coil spring replacement

The couple sits perfectly (with rally wheels). the one with turbine caps is low. If the factory put them I would think the AIM would should this part.

Edward------


The problem is that the AIM does not show anything regarding the coil spring installation for cars equipped with C-60.

[Michael B.]

Re: 72 with a/c coil spring replacement

Perhaps putting those springs back in without the spacers is the way to go. I'm wondering if perhaps a former owner may put those spacers in to accommodate larger tires?

Mike b.

[Michael B.]

Re: 72 with a/c coil spring replacement

Thanks Joe. I sure wish I had measured the height of the wheel wells before starting this project. Now I won't know until it's all back together.

Mike B.

[Michael B.]

Re: 72 with a/c coil spring replacement

Joe,

Would you think it's possible the factory would have used the 3931823 non a/c spring with a spacer if they were running low on the 1824 spring? I guess there's no way to know if these spacers are factory or not since it's been apart at least once before.

Mike

[Joe L.]

Re: 72 with a/c coil spring replacement

Joe,

Would you think it's possible the factory would have used the 3931823 non a/c spring with a spacer if they were running low on the 1824 spring? I guess there's no way to know if these spacers are factory or not since it's been apart at least once before.

Mike

Mike------


I believe the 3931823 spring has 9 coils. Yours has 10 coils.

How do you know it's been apart before?

[Michael B.]

Re: 72 with a/c coil spring replacement

Joe,

The lower ball joints have been replaced.

Mike

[Edward J.]

Re: 72 with a/c coil spring replacement

Mike does your car have the original spring in the rear ? this will be another part of the car that you'll likely clean and re-paint and new liner's ,This you may want to be addressed as both front and rear you'll want to be level. , if you find out its a original spring than rear will likely be ok. Pats and my car sit about he same. looking a pictures sometime can be deceiving, I think the front of the turbine wheel car seems to be nose diving a bit. but A measurement will tell. at my last regional the judges made a comment about the stance was nice on my 72.

[Michael B.]

Re: 72 with a/c coil spring replacement

Ed,

My car did still have it's original rear spring and I've already done the resto on it. Hopefully, my chassis will be sandblasted and painted by the end of the month and I can start putting this thing back together.

Mike B.