Pic of spring gap in '72 car - NCRS Discussion Boards

Pic of spring gap in '72 car

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  • Douglas M.
    Expired
    • February 25, 2011
    • 55

    Pic of spring gap in '72 car

    Here is a pic showing the gap between the spring and differential bolts, all is believed to be original. Is this normal? or is something not stock?

    Thanks,
    Doug

  • Edward J.
    Extremely Frequent Poster
    • September 15, 2008
    • 6940

    #2
    Re: Pic of spring gap in '72 car

    Doug, the gap seems normal, although the how many leafs does the spring have? And do the end of the leafs curve up? it appears that there are not enough leafs from the pic. , The standard suspension had 9 leafs and the F41 had 7 leafs.( which would be rare for 72- ZR1 only)
    New England chapter member, 63 Convert. 327/340- Chapter/Regional/national Top Flight, 72 coupe- chapter and regional Top Flight.

    Comment

    • John H.
      Beyond Control Poster
      • December 1, 1997
      • 16513

      #3
      Re: Pic of spring gap in '72 car

      Doug -

      Are the four bolts 9/16"-12 or 7/16"-14?

      How wide (fore-aft) are the spring leaves?

      Comment

      • Paul O.
        Frequent User
        • August 31, 1990
        • 1716

        #4
        Re: Pic of spring gap in '72 car

        Doug looking at your photo it appears you have a later differential cover as John stated what size are the bolts and the spring width.

        Paul 18046

        Comment

        • Joe L.
          Beyond Control Poster
          • February 1, 1988
          • 43193

          #5
          Re: Pic of spring gap in '72 car

          Originally posted by Douglas Melton (52995)
          Here is a pic showing the gap between the spring and differential bolts, all is believed to be original. Is this normal? or is something not stock?

          Thanks,
          Doug

          Doug-----


          Definitely NOT how it's supposed to be. You have a later cover which is designed for use with springs that are 2-1/2" wide and uses 7/16" bolts rather than the 9/16" bolts originally used for your application. It's very easy to confirm this by checking the casting number on the cover which is easily seen. If it's 464910 then you know you have the later cover.

          The later cover can be used with an original 2-1/4" wide spring as long as you also use the 7/16" bolts (which you already have), the later spring plate GM #457977 (which I would assume was used already), and two GM #459032 spacers. These were definitely not used in your case and that's why you have the space between the bolts and the spring. Unfortunately, these spacers are GM-discontinued but they can be fabricated or one could use 1/8" thick steel plates on either side of the spring.
          In Appreciation of John Hinckley

          Comment

          • Alan S.
            Extremely Frequent Poster
            • July 31, 1989
            • 3415

            #6
            Re: Pic of spring gap in '72 car

            Hi Doug,
            Here's a picture of those bolts on my 71's rear std. suspension.
            The spring, mounting plate, bolts, and cover are the original parts; but the spring liners are reproductions.
            Hopefully you can get an idea from it of how close the bolts typically are to the spring.
            Regards,
            Alan
            Attached Files
            71 Coupe, 350/270, 4 speed
            Mason Dixon Chapter
            Chapter Top Flight October 2011

            Comment

            • Douglas M.
              Expired
              • February 25, 2011
              • 55

              #7
              Re: Pic of spring gap in '72 car

              Originally posted by Alan Struck (15579)
              Hi Doug,
              Here's a picture of those bolts on my 71's rear std. suspension.
              Nice looking spring stack! Maybe someday my rear suspension will be as clean...

              My bolts are definitely 7/16" bolts, not 9/16"

              I will measure leaf width later today. I can easily fab up a spacer.

              Different subject: What would be original finish for my half shafts, and is there a particular paint that would duplicate that look? Same with the spring leafs.

              It appears to be a 9 spring stack, you just can't see the two short top leaves very well, the top one is maybe 8" long, and the second from top just somewhat longer.

              This car is going to be a piece or two at a time, body-on-frame resto, Replace half shaft U joints ASAP, and refinish half shafts before reinstalling. New exhaust system at same time

              Maybe rebuild rear spring in a few months.

              Thanks,
              Doug

              Comment

              • Gary B.
                Extremely Frequent Poster
                • February 1, 1997
                • 6979

                #8
                Pic of spring gap in '72 car

                Originally posted by Douglas Melton (52995)
                It appears to be a 9 spring stack, you just can't see the two short top leaves very well, the top one is maybe 8" long, and the second from top just somewhat longer.
                Doug,

                If the top leaf is only 8" long, then it's not an original Corvette 9-leaf spring. The top leaf on original 9-leaf springs is 13" long, and it should have the taper rolled ends, just like the other leafs (except the main). If your top leaf is 8" long and if does not have the taper rolled ends, i.e., if it's completely flat, it could be a spacer plate that was used with some Corvette 7-leaf HD springs.

                Gary

                Comment

                • Joe L.
                  Beyond Control Poster
                  • February 1, 1988
                  • 43193

                  #9
                  Re: Pic of spring gap in '72 car

                  Originally posted by Douglas Melton (52995)
                  Nice looking spring stack! Maybe someday my rear suspension will be as clean...

                  My bolts are definitely 7/16" bolts, not 9/16"

                  I will measure leaf width later today. I can easily fab up a spacer.

                  Different subject: What would be original finish for my half shafts, and is there a particular paint that would duplicate that look? Same with the spring leafs.

                  It appears to be a 9 spring stack, you just can't see the two short top leaves very well, the top one is maybe 8" long, and the second from top just somewhat longer.

                  This car is going to be a piece or two at a time, body-on-frame resto, Replace half shaft U joints ASAP, and refinish half shafts before reinstalling. New exhaust system at same time

                  Maybe rebuild rear spring in a few months.

                  Thanks,
                  Doug
                  Doug------


                  Half shaft finish was natural steel for both the tube and yoke ends. You can use a good cast iron paint (like VHT high temperature cast iron paint) for a fairly natural appearance on the yoke ends. This will be detectable during judging but I think it's a worthwhile compromise for long term anti-rust durability. There is no paint you can use on the tubes that will look anything like the original finish.
                  In Appreciation of John Hinckley

                  Comment

                  • Douglas M.
                    Expired
                    • February 25, 2011
                    • 55

                    #10
                    Re: Pic of spring gap in '72 car

                    Top leaf/spacer is 10" long, and about 1/8" thick,and flat.

                    Second leaf is 14" long,a nd has curved up ends.

                    Spring width is 2.25"

                    Doug

                    Comment

                    • Terry B.
                      Very Frequent User
                      • August 31, 1999
                      • 607

                      #11
                      Re: Pic of spring gap in '72 car

                      Doug,

                      On your half shafts and drive shaft too for that matter, you could have them bead blasted and then sprayed with clear to prevent corosion. Mine have lasted 5 years with no rust yet. It gives a much more realistic look.
                      Terry Buchanan

                      Webmaster / Secretary - Heart of Ohio Chapter www.ncrs.org/hoo

                      Corvettes Owned:
                      1977 Coupe
                      1968 Convertible 427/390 (L-36) Chapter Top Flight 2007, Regional Top Flight 2010, National Top Flight 2011
                      2003 Electron Blue Coupe
                      2019 Torch Red Grand Sport Coupe

                      Comment

                      • Michael W.
                        Expired
                        • April 1, 1997
                        • 4290

                        #12
                        Re: Pic of spring gap in '72 car

                        Terry-

                        Doug's car is a small block which means that the half shafts were not shot peened. A bead blasting will reasonably replicate the BB look but won't look anything like the extruded tube surface finish of SB shafts.

                        Some guys have had the shafts re-tubed to replicate the appearance but then preserving it becomes an issue.

                        Comment

                        • Gary B.
                          Extremely Frequent Poster
                          • February 1, 1997
                          • 6979

                          #13
                          Pic of spring gap in '72 car

                          Doug,

                          Bead blasting your half shafts will probably remove evidence of the longitudinal seam weld, which some judges will note.

                          Also, back to the spring. I measure leaf #2 to be 15" long on an original mid-year spring.

                          Gary

                          Comment

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