Correct reproduction front springs for 63?

[Daniel T.]

[Duke W.]

Re: Correct reproduction front springs for 63?

...can't answer your question, but I have one for you. Why do you think they need to be replaced?

'63 springs are unique to that year and data is in the AMA specs. For '64 GM went with variable rate springs recognized by unequal front coil spacing and variable arch leaves for the rear.

Duke

[Daniel T.]

Re: Correct reproduction front springs for 63?

...can't answer your question, but I have one for you. Why do you think they need to be replaced?

Duke

sometime in the cars history the front end must have been sitting low, I found a couple rubber “between the coil” spacers in right front, 5-6 in left front. (Holy cow) Free length on left front spring is an inch shorter than rf, more than likely overstressed the spring by only having a few working coils with all those bubba mechanic spring helpers, so yeah, it needs springs. Best part is 4 of the spacers were hidden by having them up in the frame but they have been in there a long long time. I bought the car in not running condition over the summer, it runs now, so when I went to do brakes and check the front components I found this surprise.

[Edward J.]

Re: Correct reproduction front springs for 63?

Dan have tried Long Island Corvette?

[Daniel T.]

Re: Correct reproduction front springs for 63?

yes, thanks for the suggestion, they had them listed at one time but they are not available anymore. (that didn't seem like a good sign). Looking more like I'll be stuck with a correct rate but wrong #turns 64 and up spring or using the heavy duty ones, might appear more correct but the spring rate is up around 500# and I can imagine the ride will not be great. The car isn't done to the level where I'd have it judged now, but I'm trying to do things right the first time so when I do have the paint redone etc I'm not having to buy parts twice or start over. thanks!

[Edward J.]

Re: Correct reproduction front springs for 63?

Dan, Moog makes a 6 turn front spring that I have used a couple of times work end ride great.

[Daniel T.]

Re: Correct reproduction front springs for 63?

thanks, I'll give it a look

edit- moog is 475# rate spring, similar to the other HD springs available, but a lot stiffer than the stock base suspension.

[Patrick B.]

Re: Correct reproduction front springs for 63?

Putting F41 front springs on your car kill the handling with way too much understeer unless you put the F41 rear spring on as well. But that makes the car so stiff you will not like to ride in it. Look for reproduction springs with the stock spring rate regardless of their appearance.

[Daniel T.]

Re: Correct reproduction front springs for 63?

Putting F41 front springs on your car kill the handling with way too much understeer unless you put the F41 rear spring on as well. But that makes the car so stiff you will not like to ride in it. Look for reproduction springs with the stock spring rate regardless of their appearance.

thanks, that is looking like the route I will take, thought the same thing on the mismatched rear spring with the heavier front spring and would prefer it to ride decent too, it’s not like I’m going to track or autocross this car. Thanks everyone for the help.

[Duke W.]

Re: Correct reproduction front springs for 63?

yes, thanks for the suggestion, they had them listed at one time but they are not available anymore. (that didn't seem like a good sign). Looking more like I'll be stuck with a correct rate but wrong #turns 64 and up spring or using the heavy duty ones, might appear more correct but the spring rate is up around 500# and I can imagine the ride will not be great. The car isn't done to the level where I'd have it judged now, but I'm trying to do things right the first time so when I do have the paint redone etc I'm not having to buy parts twice or start over. thanks!

The OE '63 front springs are constant 270 pounds/inch. The '64-'67 are variable rate, but average about the same as '63. Correct OE equivalent springs appear to be difficult to source. Certainly '63 springs would have a small market with only 22,000 built.

If you can't find something close to the OE '63 spring, go for the '64-'67 variable rate.

Look at the AMA specs and write down all the information on both springs like wire diameter, number of coils, OD and free length. Buy springs that are the closest match to these OE specs.

Duke