I need help in identifying a pair of straight axle rear springs that I just picked up. They are 5 leal and dated 1958 , also the part number is 3751438 which is stamped on the leaf. Can anyone help identify these ? Rich #2276
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Re: 58 Springs ?
Rich-----
The GM #3751438 springs SERVICE 53-62 Corvette applications without heavy duty suspension. They may not have been the original production line spring for early C1s, but were the original production line spring for, at least, the last 5 model years of C1 production. I will check later for original applicability when I can get at my references.
Also, these springs should have 4 leaves and they should be 2" wide. End eyelet-to eylet center distance should be 51". The center bolt is offset 1-1/2" from spring center.In Appreciation of John Hinckley -
Re: 58 Springs ?
Hey Rich:
If the leafs are grooved, with 1438 part numbers you should see a Julian date like for instance 246 E 8 meaning the 246th day of 1958. The E means Corvette usage. These springs have been helped with an extra leaf which probably won't be grooved. The original springs were four leaf. (unless you had the RPO 684 brake option and then spring pt. # would be different.)
Have them re-arched and then heat treated! You may want to re-anneal them before arching. Get rid of the extra leaf of course.
Varooom!Comment
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1438 Springs 1953 to 1962
Same part number and spring from 1953 to 1962. A VERY weak and crumby design. It is very easy to "S" shape them when launching the car for groceries. The grooved design is what weakens the leafs.
Varooom!Comment
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Re: 58 Springs ?
Dale, The leafs are grooved and dated 250E8 , the center bolt is offset 1 1/2" as Joe pointed out and eye to eye appears to be 50" as it's hard to be exact because the front hangers and eye pins are still attached. Thanks for the help.Comment
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Re: 58 Springs ?
Dale you and Joe are right again. I just looked at them again and the extra (5th) leaf is a cut down main leaf (grooved) which someone added. They must be a comfy ride . RichComment
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Saving Springs.....heresy.......
The springs on my '57 are original, and the Traction Masters (also added very early in its life) protect them from the "S" treatment, and make the car much more fun to drive - solid, clean, shudder-free launches every time whether you nail it or not.Comment
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Re: Saving Springs.....heresy.......
That's exactly why I left the Traction Masters on my 62 when I bought it 25 years ago. Besides they still look nifty ! RichComment
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Re: 58 Springs ?/'62 Rear Suspension
Why would a '62 need Traction Masters? Doesn't the torque arm do the same thing?
Earlier C1s did not have the torque arm, which allowed the rear axle to hop under extreme acceleration. But I thought the torque arm solved that problem. Please clarify my thinking.Comment
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Re: 58 Springs ?/'62 Rear Suspension
It's just additional help in keeping the axle housing properly located . The strut rods did improve rear wheel hop quite a bit but you can still damage the spring with a hard launch. RichComment
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Chris - Traction Masters
Chris, Because Traction Master bars mount *below* the springs and its rod bracket is welded to the front spring eye brace, the front portion of the spring can not allow the pumpkin to rotate upward. The Corvette bars mount on bracket and a pivot above the axle. Unfortunately, the axle can still pivot, the pumpkin wanting to stand upright during a hard launch. The axle desire to pivot is due to the shackles on the back of the spring. The shackles move forward upon demand of the pumpkin desiring to rotate due to the tire traction with the road. On a drawing board if you draw out the spring, rear axle and the spring points (sideview) that can not move and those that can, you will understand why Traction Masters really work. The Corvette bars do assist in heavy braking (as do Traction Masters). I, like Snake 488 and several others would "not leave home without them." NCRS can deduct me for T/M or for sagging springs either way it's a deduct! Plus, Traction Masters look like your Corvette isn't afraid to light em up once in a while! The traction of radial tires is a lot better than bias tires! In the old days, bias tires helped (somewhat) to save the springs! Regards,Comment
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Re: Chris - Traction Masters
Aha! Now I get it. Thanks for your reply.
Are Traction Masters bolt on? Or, is welding involved? Are they available at the usual hot rod sources?Comment
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Re: Chris - Traction Masters
Chris, Traction Master have a plate that must be welded to the front spring eye bracket. Nothing else requires welding. The kit contains 4 longer spring "U" bolts. eight spacers (four per side), and a plate that is spaced below the spring plate (the plate the original "U" bolts clamped to). The T/M plate looks a lot like the original spring plate without the shock mount, and contains a mounting boss for the rod. This rod runs to the welded bracket on the front spring eye. The rod takes all the force. Traction Master kits were available in the '60's, probably hard to find now. Good luck! Regards,Comment
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