My recently acquired and 64 convertile is "higher" off the ground at the front end than my 66 Coupe. Measured from the floor center of the front tire to the bottom edge of the fender well the 64 rides at 27 1/2". This is a small block car. My big block 66 rides at 25 1/2" at the front. Both cars stand at 25 1/2" measured to the bottom edge of the rear fender well. (yes, both tire heights are the same). Does anyone know of some method I might use to lower the front height of the 64 to match the back (without putting in shorter springs)?
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Re: 64 Front End Ride Height
Sure, the old hot rodders trick of cutting a couple of 2x4s the length to hold the frame at the height you want, put them under the front frame, then heat the springs with a torch until the car settles to rest on the 2x4s.
Do I recommend it? No.
It is far too easy to overheat the spring and take the stiffness out of it or weaken one section where it will fail in the future.
You probably have some of the new reproduction springs that are not really correct, as many of the new ones weren't. You could take them to a spring shop and see if they can change the length of them, but probably they are the wrong stiffness and simply won't settle to the stock height.
If the shop can't change the ride height, then you will have to find new springs that will ride at the height you want.
If the ends are not tapered, but square cut, you could cut pieces of the spring until you achieve the ride height you want. However, you will get a change in stiffness.
Good luck. -
Re: 64 Front End Ride Height
I had a couple of ride height issues with my 64 after I rebuilt the front end, both my fault. First, when I reinstalled the springs I didn't have them seated properly in the lower control arms. The end of the spring should be visisble in the hole in the spring seating area of the control arm. Secondly, I tightened the control arm bushings with the engine out of the car. 2 goofs, oh well, live and learnComment
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