C2:67 Front Springs, Refurb or not?

[Gerard F.]

Do you think the 67 S/B front springs in the picture below are worth refurbing and putting back on the car. I had them replaced with grand touring springs about 2 years ago as the shop thought I had a little sag.


The springs measure 16 5/8" and seem to have just a light coat of rust on them. I assume they were just natural finish as all I see is rust. Are these springs shorter then new stock ones, and do they lose their resiliency over time. Is there a way of testing them?

The springs still have the tape tags on them (one is intact).


The green tape has the part number 3851100 followed by ED and repeated on the tape.

If it is worth it to reuse these springs, should I just beadblast, wire brush or do something else.

Having fun,

Jerry Fuccillo
#42179

[Donald T.]

Re: C2:67 Front Springs, Refurb or not?

Jerry,

They look in very nice condition to me, but I don't know about metal fatigue. I can tell you that I have a set of NOS springs (GM 3851100), and they also measure 16 5/8". So they have not compressed over the years, but I don't know how they would compare under load. I think original springs sit a little lower in front than replacements and that may make someone think they are starting to sag.

Don Terry

[Kent K.]

Re: C2:67 Front Springs, Refurb or not?

Jerry,

They appear very much the same as mine did. I bead blasted them, shot them with Coricone, a parafin based clear coating, put the tags on and installed them. My '67 may appear ever so slightly lower in front than stock, but it has its original springs. BTW, our '67s are almost cousins ... same engine, tranny, color and interior ... don't know if yours is A/C.

Regards,
Kent #6201

[Barbara S.]

Re: C2:67 Front Springs, Refurb or not?

Hey Jerry. Yours look just like mine did. I media blasted mine, cleared them and then reintalled them. They look great and so will yours. You can buy the correct green tags too. Why buy new when yours will look great!

Tony

[Joe L.]

Re: C2:67 Front Springs, Refurb or not?

Jerry-----

The GM "convention" used for measuring spring free length changed over the years. So, you will find various specifcations for the GM #3851100. However, using the length measurement protocol that's most intuitive, as you have done, the GM spec for the spring is 16.82". So, you are within less than 1/4" of that. Given the fact that the springs show little corrosion and no damaging corrosion, I would say that the springs are fine for re-use.

[Eugene B.]

Re: C2:67 Front Springs, Refurb or not?

Jerry,
As a cleaning technique, see if there is a rebuilder in your area that has a shot peen cabinet. I used this machine to do all of my front ended (and everything but the trailing arms in the rear). Shot peening leaves a more natural finish than sand blasting, etc.

After shot peening, I had the rebuilder dip them in their industrial rust preventive, applied new stickers, and reinstalled them. You can also use a product like PreLube 6.

I marked mine top and bottom; and left and right, just to be sure that I put them back the way they came out. Be safe when you reinstall.

Good luck with your restoration.

Regards,
Gene

[Bill Stephenson]

Re: C2:67 Front Springs, Refurb or not?

-----Whats the problem, Jerry??? Arent all California cars low-riders??? Thats all us easterners ever seem to see in pics almost anywhere........Bill S

[Gerard F.]

I got gas shocks, too

on a Pennsylvania car. (but now in CA)

Actually Bill,

The reason I changed the suspension in the front was that with new P205/75R15 radials I had a slight tire rub on the front. I eventually found that the rub was more related to a bend in the front bumper brace. Fixed that and no more rub.

Now I'd like to go back to my original springs, and if I can find some, original spec shocks. Do you know where I can find any, or is there a correct substitute?

Cheers,

Jerry Fuccillo
#42179

PS How did you like your buckle tops in the Restorer.

[Bill Stephenson]

Re: I got gas shocks, too

------Oh, Those were mine??? Well,,,They became yours when they left my doorstep, but they looked OK!!! Im glad they were a help to you.........Bill S