Springs taken off 1969

[Keith M.]

Have a set of these springs taken off a 69 by a friend who gave them to me. Contemplating using on my 69 L46 4spd vert.

Could these be original? My research says no.

Service replacement? Maybe.

Bottom line..I need to replace my current springs..see my thread about spring bunching. Contemplating using these..after rust treat and paint.

[Keith M.]

Re: Springs taken off 1969

Forgot to add this pic

[Patrick H.]

Re: Springs taken off 1969

Replacements.

Here's a trick -

Get a glass vase from a local store that is just a bit wider inside than the spring is so that the spring will fit inside. I bought one at Michael's that allows 80% or more of the spring to sit inside the vase with only a tiny bit of clearance.
Now put the spring in the vase, and fill it most of the way with EvapoRust. After an hour, start occasionally removing it from the vase and wiping off the slime that develops.

The spring will look like new after a while, and you'll even see the factory original markings, if any.
I used CRC400 to then coat it and reinstall the spring in the car.

[Joe L.]

Re: Springs taken off 1969

Forgot to add this pic

Keith------


These are definitely not the original springs. This part number did not even exist in 1969. These springs were used in PRODUCTION and once available in SERVICE for most 1975-79 Corvettes. The original springs for your 1969 L-46 application were GM #3931823. These were replaced for SERVICE in November, 1972 by GM #331316. The latter was discontinued without supersession in October, 1997.

Notwithstanding the fact that the 346939 were never specified by GM for your application, I think they ought to work OK for you.

[Keith M.]

Re: Springs taken off 1969

So here is another before pic (pic with 4 springs...ones that are subject of this post are on the outside) and several post-Evaporust pics. I feel I should write a paper on Evaporust. Long story short...cement mixing tub from Lowes...large volume of Evaporust...plug in heater from Amazon...Evaporust works MUCH better at 70 degrees plus to be most effective and am working in my unheated garage. Et voila. Now I still am trying to get input on what to put on these things to avoid future rust. Thoughts?? Clear coat spray is my leading candidate. Just looking for something for a little protection...as they are said to come from factory in the buff.

[Mark E.]

Re: Springs taken off 1969

A mixing tub of Evapo-Rust? How much did that cost? That stuff is expensive.

If and how you finish the springs depends on your intentions. Bare judges best. I don't like the rust look so I used POR15 Cast Iron color. It looks good and has been durable, but won't fool a judge.

I would be interested in others' experiences and recommendations with clear finish.

[Keith M.]

Re: Springs taken off 1969

A mixing tub of Evapo-Rust? How much did that cost? That stuff is expensive.

If and how you finish the springs depends on your intentions. Bare judges best. I don't like the rust look so I used POR15 Cast Iron color. It looks good and has been durable, but won't fool a judge.

I would be interested in others' experiences and recommendations with clear finish.

Actually...TWO tubs of Evaporust...it worked miracles on my seat frames...and radiator core..and garden tools...old car hitch.... I think I have about $400 or so in Evaporust. Home Depot had 5 gal buckets of it for $90 but not anymore. I don't have a media blaster. Plus this method is easy...soak,....rinse...done.

As for finish...my priority is preservation of originality and avoid rust. Don't really care about judging for the sake of judging though it can provide very valuable input. I am the judge that matters most to me with my car. I don't like the rust look either. I also would be interested in others input on how to treat components that came from factory natural to deter future rust...e.g. console brackets. etc.

[Keith M.]

Re: Springs taken off 1969

Forgot to mention radiator core support. I figure my evaporust costs would have been the same or less vs replacing the parts I was able to recover via the evaporust.

[Mark E.]

Re: Springs taken off 1969

Very innovative! Let us know with photos how it all comes together.

[Keith M.]

Re: Springs taken off 1969

Very innovative! Let us know with photos how it all comes together.

That's only half of the story. Working in my unheated garage...and Evaporust need min temps to be most effective...so got a plug in submersible heater on Amazon. Used an old attic stairway insulator I could not give away on Craigslist to keep heat in...along with heavy mil plastic to minimize evaporation. Gotta get some pics together soon. I have a primary and secondary tub. One is beginning to lose its effectiveness. So I manage parts depending on importance...or sometimes as with these springs...start in the more depleted tub and finish in the more fresh one.