Comparing Two C3 Leaf Springs

[Floyd B.]

The first spring is the one I removed from my '69 427/390 car. It has had obvious work evidenced by the service replacement bolt with tall head and the extra leaf inserted between the bottom most leaf and leaf #2. The scallops on this spring have a larger radius (i.e. more gradual angle). The end of the bottom most leaf is tapered at a 45 degree angle.

IMG_5122.jpg IMG_5127.jpg

The second spring is a unit I purchased from a Corvette salvage yard. This spring had an original bolt with short head binding it together and the liners were very thin with fine ribbing but in decent overall condition until someone trimmed off the "T" shaped edges with a razor knife. The scallops on this spring have a much sharper radius and a "scooped out" contour. The end of the bottom most leaf is tapered at a much longer 80/20 angle.

IMG_5124.jpg IMG_5126.jpg

My question is: Are either of these springs typical of an original 2-1/4" Corvette leaf spring?

Thanx

[Gary B.]

Re: Comparing Two C3 Leaf Springs

Floyd,

The ends of the main leaf and the taper rolled ends of the first spring you show are 100% constant with an original GM spring. The 80/20 cut on the 2nd spring is not typical of GM. The sharp upturn on the non-main leaf on the 2nd spring look exactly like the incorrect ends on the repro spring sold by Eaton. The 2nd spring is a repro.

Gary

[Floyd B.]

Re: Comparing Two C3 Leaf Springs

Thanx Gary,

Rats! Glad I didn't pay much for it.

[Gary B.]

Re: Comparing Two C3 Leaf Springs

Floyd,

America's Finest Corvette has 7-leaf and, just recently, 9-leaf repro C2/C3 springs that I've been told are the most accurate in terms of cosmetics. If you are interested in their 9-leaf spring, be prepared for sticker shock.

Gary

[Floyd B.]

Re: Comparing Two C3 Leaf Springs

Yes. I read that entire thread. I sent AFC an email asking for information and they never responded. That always sets off alarm bells with me. I don't know why businesses do that - they have probably lost any chance of winning me as a customer. An NCRS member in Vancouver has a nice original spring for sale and the liners are even in decent shape. I'll see if we can work out shipping it from Vancouver to Jacksonville.

Thanx for all your help.

[Gary B.]

Re: Comparing Two C3 Leaf Springs

Floyd,

AFC is definitely quirky. Very unlike Paragon or Corvette Central, etc. AFC is owned by two partners and maybe few or no other real employees. I've dealt once with one of the partners, Hal Robinson. He was rather talkative, but very responsive and my item was shipping quickly and I was very pleased with it.

Gary