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  • Thomas N.
    Very Frequent User
    • July 31, 2002
    • 397

    #16
    Re: front springs

    Gary:
    As far as making it out of aluminum, I probably do not see a problem. I can run the calcs. One thing I do is put a nut on the underside of the blocking plate, so that would eliminate the possibility of the threads pulling out of the aluminum block.

    James:
    Sorry, I haven't tried it with the body and engine in place. The threaded rod I recommend comes in 30" long, and you can see in the video, you could cut it down to 24" and still have plenty to grab on from the topside. Or you could keep threading through the lower block until you have just enough sticking up to grab on the top side when you push everything up, instead of cutting the rod. What I would do is if you have your car together that you want to see if it would work on a together car, take a 12" ruler and place it on the top of the shock at about the same angle as the shock rod and see if you have clearance for a nut and getting a wrench onto it. I think trying to swing a wrench would be tough, but if you had like a crows foot or something like that it might work. It might be kind of tough pushing the rod up through the shock hole and then try to reach over the fender to start the nut on top, but if you had a second set of hands, it might work out.

    Ed:
    If people were interested in the block, send me a message, and I'll see about getting some made up. I deal with machine shops on a daily basis and could get these made up. Always glad to try to help out.
    NCRS New England Chapter Chairman 2022, 2024
    N E Regional Chairman 2024
    1967 Corvette Convertible Under Restoration
    1996 Corvette Coupe NCRS Chapter Top Flight 99.5, NCRS National Top Flight 100.0

    Comment

    • Gary B.
      Extremely Frequent Poster
      • February 1, 1997
      • 7018

      #17
      Re: front springs

      Originally posted by Thomas Nowak (10784)
      Gary:
      As far as making it out of aluminum, I probably do not see a problem. I can run the calcs. One thing I do is put a nut on the underside of the blocking plate, so that would eliminate the possibility of the threads pulling out of the aluminum block.
      Yeah, I'd feel better using a grade 8 nut than threading a blocking plate made of aluminum.

      Gary

      Comment

      • Gary B.
        Extremely Frequent Poster
        • February 1, 1997
        • 7018

        #18
        Re: front springs

        Thomas,

        Did you select coarse thread or fine thread for the 5/8" dia rod?

        Gary

        Comment

        • Thomas N.
          Very Frequent User
          • July 31, 2002
          • 397

          #19
          Re: front springs

          Gary:
          I did 5/8"-11 which is coarse thread. The threads have a little more beef to them, and you do not need to turn the wrench as much. Part numbers and sizes are called out in the video description if you are interested.
          NCRS New England Chapter Chairman 2022, 2024
          N E Regional Chairman 2024
          1967 Corvette Convertible Under Restoration
          1996 Corvette Coupe NCRS Chapter Top Flight 99.5, NCRS National Top Flight 100.0

          Comment

          • Gary B.
            Extremely Frequent Poster
            • February 1, 1997
            • 7018

            #20
            Re: front springs

            Originally posted by Thomas Nowak (10784)
            I use a threaded rod through the center. I actually made a YouTube video going through the process, including the drawing for the lower block to mount to the lower shock mounting points. The video is located at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0COGAbOdi0 The nice thing about this approach is if you will not mark up your springs if they are coated at all.
            Thomas,

            I have one last question for you about one step in your video. I noticed you struggling just a bit to bolt the lower A-arm to the frame.Is it always easy to complete that step by hand? Or might it take some help from a jack or a pry bar?

            Oh, one more question. What is the thread spec and bolt length for the two bolts that attach the blocking plate to the lower shock mount holes?

            Gary
            Last edited by Gary B.; April 5, 2020, 12:45 PM.

            Comment

            • Thomas N.
              Very Frequent User
              • July 31, 2002
              • 397

              #21
              Re: front springs

              Gary:
              It is usually easy to do by hand. My problem is I'm not a good videographer, and I'm doing this all myself, and I overtightend it a little and it hung up on the frame reinforcements. If I backed off from the threaded rod a couple of turns it would of dropped right in. And I didn't want the video to run too long. On the other side when I wasn't videoing, and concentrating more on the task at hand it went right in! What you can do is use a tapered pin to help guide it in place, but isn't really necessary.
              NCRS New England Chapter Chairman 2022, 2024
              N E Regional Chairman 2024
              1967 Corvette Convertible Under Restoration
              1996 Corvette Coupe NCRS Chapter Top Flight 99.5, NCRS National Top Flight 100.0

              Comment

              • Gary B.
                Extremely Frequent Poster
                • February 1, 1997
                • 7018

                #22
                Re: front springs

                I know what you means. Sometimes 3 or 4 hands would be super helpful.

                Gary

                Comment

                • Kenneth T.
                  Frequent User
                  • April 27, 2009
                  • 84

                  #23
                  Re: front springs

                  For safety sake, put a chain or strap around the spring and Lower A arm .

                  Comment

                  • Gerald C.
                    Extremely Frequent Poster
                    • June 30, 1987
                    • 1280

                    #24
                    Re: front springs

                    I've used a Grade 8 Steel rod to both remove and install coil springs on my C2's. I also place a steel cable inside the spring "just in case"! I then just tighten the not on the rod and adjust the placement with just a little tension on the spring. Once in place, I tighten the nut so that the lower ball joint is by passed and then hook it up and slowly release the nut. I also use a steel plate at each end for coverage purposes. One final note, I drilled a hole in two hockey pucks so that the control arms do not get scratched. Be carefull!

                    Comment

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