61 rear spring height measurement

[Jerry G.]

I have my rear springs apart and cleaned. Is there any measurement I can make while they are apart to determine if they will need to be rearched? Better now than after they are installed in the car.

[Edward L.]

Re: 61 rear spring height measurement

I have my rear springs apart and cleaned. Is there any measurement I can make while they are apart to determine if they will need to be rearched? Better now than after they are installed in the car.

Jerry:

I too needed this information and a friend of mine just provided it not more than an hour ago. The info came from a Restorer magazine issued in 1979.

These measurements apply only to the long spring:

The measurement from the center of the eye to the center of the opposite eye should be 51". From the center of this measurement to the spring should be 3 5/8".

Ed

[Steven B.]

Re: 61 rear spring height measurement

Jerry:

I too needed this information and a friend of mine just provided it not more than an hour ago. The info came from a Restorer magazine issued in 1979.

These measurements apply only to the long spring:

The measurement from the center of the eye to the center of the opposite eye should be 51". From the center of this measurement to the spring should be 3 5/8".

Ed

Do these measurements hold for all '53-'62 standard suspension cars?

[Edward L.]

Re: 61 rear spring height measurement

Do these measurements hold for all '53-'62 standard suspension cars?

The measurements I gave are for standard 53-62 four leaf springs.

[Steven B.]

Re: 61 rear spring height measurement

Thanks Ed!

[Jerry G.]

Re: 61 rear spring height measurement

I did the measurement and I got something different. Going from center of mounting bolt to center of mounting bolt I get 49 1/2 inch. I do get 51 inches if I measure outside to outside. For the arch I get 5 3/4 inch measured from the floor to the bottom of the center of the arch. If I subtract the distance from the center of the mounting eyes on the end I get 5.0 inches. The spring are four leaf with standard part number but they are on a big brake car. I don't think that would have anything to do with these measurements. Anybody have any ideas whats up?

[Edward L.]

Re: 61 rear spring height measurement

The measurements I gave are for standard 53-62 four leaf springs.

These measurements can be found in the Restorer, 1979 Vol. 6 #1

[Bill M.]

Re: 61 rear spring height measurement

I did the measurement and I got something different. Going from center of mounting bolt to center of mounting bolt I get 49 1/2 inch. I do get 51 inches if I measure outside to outside. For the arch I get 5 3/4 inch measured from the floor to the bottom of the center of the arch. If I subtract the distance from the center of the mounting eyes on the end I get 5.0 inches. The spring are four leaf with standard part number but they are on a big brake car. I don't think that would have anything to do with these measurements. Anybody have any ideas whats up?

The eye-to-eye measurement isn't important. It will get longer as the spring gets flatter. Looks like your springs are about 1-3/8 higher than the spec. I would consider doing a trial measurement of the springs before you install the anti-splay clips. Just bolt them together and install them. If the car sits too high, have them shortened. When you're happy with the stance of the car, install the clips.

[Jerry G.]

Re: 61 rear spring height measurement

These are all original springs. So I'm assuming physical shortening won't be need. Sounds like i should follow your advice and bolt them together and see where I'm at.