F-41 rear spring dimensions

[Robert N.]

Can someone with an original F-41 7- leaf rear spring help with the following?

- what is the exact length of the topmost leaf?

- is the top leaf scalloped with the same end curl as the other leafs?

I have an original F-41 missing the top leaf and want to get one fabricated

A picture would also be nice ...

I have a 69, I assume the F-41 didn't change from C2 to C3.

[Dick W.]

Re: F-41 rear spring dimensions

I have a couple of used F-41 springs here and they all have a flat top leaf. I will measure it in the morning when I get to the shop. I will try to make a couple of photos too as I am getting ready to put them on Fleabay

[Robert N.]

Re: F-41 rear spring dimensions

Dick,

Had a chance to measure the spring?

Thanks, Robert

[Scott P.]

Re: F-41 rear spring dimensions

Robert, its 11" and the ends have the same treatment as the other leafs ends. Scott

[Dick W.]

Re: F-41 rear spring dimensions

Dick,

Had a chance to measure the spring?

Thanks, Robert

I walked right by it today and did not even think about measuring it. I will do in the A.M.

[Robert N.]

Re: F-41 rear spring dimensions

Scott,

Thanks for the info. Dick mentioned that the top plate was flat, you said the ends are scalloped like the others. Is there more than one configuration? Any pics?

Thanks,
Robert

[Dick W.]

Re: F-41 rear spring dimensions

Just measured what I believe to be an original F-41 and the top leaf is 4 1/4". I have what I believe to be a GM replacement and it is over 7" The steel is noticeably thicker on the original that the replacement, which BTW came across the counter with eight leafs.

[Robert N.]

Re: F-41 rear spring dimensions

The differential body on my 69 is 7.25" wide above the spring.

Doesn't make sense that the top spring leaf is shorter than this.

The next longer spring leaf is 16.5", so 11" sounds reasonable.

Any thoughts?

[Scott P.]

Re: F-41 rear spring dimensions

Robert, the 11" measurment I gave you was trying to measure the leaf on the car and as it turns out

that is incorrect, the top leaf measures 11 5/8 on the bench. Second from top is 16 5/8, third

being 23. I dont know how to post pictures but all the spring leafs had the same end treatment

with the exception being the bottom one of course. My springs were purchaced over the counter in the

70s so may be different than what came on the Corvette but its the same part number. Scott

[Robert N.]

Re: F-41 rear spring dimensions

Thanks Scott,

Your dimensions on the other leafs match mine, so I'll go with 11 5/8".

Where is the part number stamped?

Still curious about Dick's springs, would like to see photos (hint, hint)

Robert

[Gary B.]

Re: F-41 rear spring dimensions

Robert,

Some of the HD Corvette springs over the years had what is really a spacer plate in order to make up some thickness for the difference in stack height between the 7 leaf and 9 leaf springs. So, when you ask about the top year, you need to be clear if you're talking about the space plate, which isn't supposed to bend, or if you're talking about the upper-most leaf of the spring, which is supposed to bend. Joe Lucia and I wrote an article for the Restorer on HD Corvette springs 4 or 5 years ago and that article lists which years had which size of spacer plate. The article did not give dimensions for the actual leaves.

Gary

[Robert N.]

Re: F-41 rear spring dimensions

I have 6 leaves now, the topmost 16 5/8" long. From Scott's info, I am missing a 11 5/8 leaf as the 7th.

For a 69 F-41, was there an additional top plate?

Robert

[Gary B.]

Re: F-41 rear spring dimensions

Robert,

The original 7-leaf spring for 63-74 did not have a spacer plate as part of the spring. If you send me your e-mail address I can send you a PDF of the Restorer article on the HD spring that Joe and I wrote. You should be able to figure out if you're missing something based on the assembled thickness of your current spring, measured near the center bolt.

As an aside, the most recently sold (GM discontinued 2/1999) service replacement HD spring for 63-79 Corvette (GM # 354130) did have a top spacer plate.

My e-mail address garybeaupre@comcast.net.

Gary

[Dick W.]

Re: F-41 rear spring dimensions

Finally made a photo. Bottom spring is what I think to be an over the counter GM service replacement spring. Top is configured correctly on the end of each leaf, but the spring material is somewhat thicker than the bottom.

Now I am confused. Is the top a gymkana spring that was in the Chevrolet Power Book??

[Terry M.]

Re: F-41 rear spring dimensions

We have to ask Dale Crosby. I sold him the 7 leaf spring I had from the 1970s. That is the only part I have ever sold, and I still regret it in so many ways.