'65 396 Front Springs

[James W.]

Need a good source for front coil springs for a 1965 Corvette equipped with a 396/425 engine. The currently installed springs make the car sit way too low over the front fenders. I need so info from other members as to who they used a vendor for the right springs.

Thanks,

James West
Omaha, NE.

[Joe L.]

Re: '65 396 Front Springs

James------

I can't recommend a spring source. I can tell you, though, that Eaton Detroit Spring is the GM-licensed reproduction source for just about all discontinued GM springs. I expect that their products are about as good as any out there.

Keep one other thing in mind: 1965 Corvettes with L-78 and standard suspension used the same front springs as 1965 Corvettes with small block, GM #3851100. These cars did have a rake. As a result of owner complaints, GM replaced some of the springs with higher rate springs first used in PRODUCTION for 1966. However, there was no recall; if you complained about it you might have gotten a replacement (after the replacements became available in SERVICE).

The long-and-the short of it is that I would say that a 1965 Corvette with L-78 wouldn't be as originally delivered without the rake. I can tell you for absolute certain that the cars had such a rake, although it was subtle and not severe. My distinct recollection of the impression I got at my first sight of a brand new 1965 Corvette with L-78 was the subtle rake.