'54 ride height - NCRS Discussion Boards

'54 ride height

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  • Brian W.
    Very Frequent User
    • September 30, 1990
    • 216

    #16
    Re: '54 ride height

    Rich:
    The rear shackles are above the frame crossmember. The suspension pictures posted have jack stands under the frame and the rear axle was hanging. New picture attached with the car on the ground.
    20231117_112436.jpg

    Comment

    • Leif A.
      Extremely Frequent Poster
      • August 31, 1997
      • 3627

      #17
      Re: '54 ride height

      Originally posted by Jim Lockwood (2750)
      I don't think so, Leif. With the picture rotated to be right side up, you see that the shorter leaves are on the bottom, as they should be:

      [ATTACH=CONFIG]119533[/ATTACH]

      Compare to one of the springs under my '54:

      [ATTACH=CONFIG]119534[/ATTACH]
      OK Jim. Still learning about C1. As you know, the shorter leaves are on TOP of a C2...that was where my concern came in. Thanks for the education. OP states in most recent post that the shackles are correctly oriented, although I still can't see them.
      Leif
      '67 Coupe L79, M21, C60, N14, N40, J50, A31, U69, A01, QB1
      Top Flight 2017 Lone Star Regional

      Comment

      • Jim L.
        Extremely Frequent Poster
        • September 30, 1979
        • 1808

        #18
        Re: '54 ride height

        OK, I'll retract what I just said. However, that spring is dead flat..... like the springs on my '60. So it still lacks the negative arc which is needed for a '53 - '55 to sit at the proper height. See this engineering drawing:

        DSC08172.jpg

        I suspect someone replaced the original springs with springs from a later C1

        Comment

        • John M.
          Very Frequent User
          • April 18, 2017
          • 184

          #19
          Re: '54 ride height

          This is only a guess, but could the springs have been assembled upside down? Sure the short springs are on the bottom as they should be BUT if the arch of the spring were facing up ( not able to hold water) and the other springs also stacked the same way the rear end might just sit correctly. Simply stated "what if" the springs were built with the bends upside down to what they are now. Did you dis assemble the springs before the problem presented itself? Just a WAG.

          Comment

          • Richard M.
            Super Moderator
            • August 31, 1988
            • 11323

            #20
            Re: '54 ride height

            Ok, just seeing everything now I'm back.
            I think Jim may be on to something. The 53 to 55 spring had the negative arc. 8* iirc. Later were positive arc.

            Brian there is a part number under the bottom leaf. It may be covered by the lower shock support though. Take a peek, maybe some soapy water on a rag.

            I seem to see grooves, so not aftermarket, but the band clamps seem non-typical. Maybe they were re-arced at some time.

            One other thing... Are those 7.15 or 6.70 tires?

            For spring part number do a search using my name with "blueprints" in the search string. I posted chassis and spring specs some time ago....

            Never mind here it is.

            Edit... Silly me posted this link in Post#2 already. RaRo... Short term memory loss!
            Last edited by Richard M.; November 18, 2023, 02:51 AM.

            Comment

            • Brian W.
              Very Frequent User
              • September 30, 1990
              • 216

              #21
              Re: '54 ride height

              Rich:
              Tires are 6.70 x15 Bedford tires. Numbers on rear springs as per attached.
              20231117_182753.jpg

              Comment

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

                #22

                Comment

                • Richard M.
                  Super Moderator
                  • August 31, 1988
                  • 11323

                  #23
                  Re: '54 ride height

                  Brian, The 1953 to 1955 spring was originally 3706707.

                  Someone changed them on your car in years past. The 3751438 was a replacement for 1956,1957. The 1953 to 1955 replacement was 3711550.

                  See this Parts Book page for reference...

                  Comment

                  • Dennis C.
                    Very Frequent User
                    • June 30, 2002
                    • 884

                    #24
                    Re: '54 ride height

                    That spring is dated 15th day of 1958.

                    Comment

                    • Brian W.
                      Very Frequent User
                      • September 30, 1990
                      • 216

                      #25
                      Re: '54 ride height

                      Anyone know where I get get a set of 3706707 or 3711550 leaf springs? Still looking for correct ride height. Is there any way I can modify the springs I have to obtain the correct ride height?

                      Comment

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

                        #26

                        Comment

                        • Rod K.
                          Very Frequent User
                          • April 1, 1990
                          • 443

                          #27
                          Re: '54 ride height

                          They can be easily re-arched. Find a suspension shop which works on light to medium duty trucks, suspension and drivelines. Had mine done at such a shop, pretty inexpensive actually. I had the spring disassembled and knew how much I wanted to change the height but I imagine you could take the assembled springs and your desired change and they could disassemble and re-assemble for you.

                          As to the correct height, the chord height dimensions on bare spring assys I have are 3.62 inch for 53-57 and 5.38 inch for 58-62. As Jim L indicated though, I think 53-55 may have been different so check that out first. Chord height is measured on the free spring assy perpendicular to the top of the main leaf at the center of its length to a string line stretched center to center of the main leaf eyes. Also, if you have one, check the Corvette Service Guide or the AIM for your year. I think there is a drawing in the alignment section which gives the design dimension for clearance from the top of the rear axle tube to the bottom of the frame. From that you could determine how much you need to revise your ride height.

                          Hope this helps some. Good luck.
                          Last edited by Rod K.; November 18, 2023, 08:46 PM. Reason: clarification

                          Comment

                          • Leif A.
                            Extremely Frequent Poster
                            • August 31, 1997
                            • 3627

                            #28
                            Re: '54 ride height

                            Originally posted by Brian Waller (18255)
                            Anyone know where I get get a set of 3706707 or 3711550 leaf springs? Still looking for correct ride height. Is there any way I can modify the springs I have to obtain the correct ride height?
                            If total originality is not a concern (and, it doesn't sound like it is) and ride height is the most important, then Eaton Spring can hook you up.

                            Leif
                            '67 Coupe L79, M21, C60, N14, N40, J50, A31, U69, A01, QB1
                            Top Flight 2017 Lone Star Regional

                            Comment

                            • Brian W.
                              Very Frequent User
                              • September 30, 1990
                              • 216

                              #29
                              Re: '54 ride height

                              Thanks for all the help and suggestions, I would prefer to find the right springs and keep it original as the rest of the car is nearly all correct. I'm sure I will be asking more questions in the future. Thanks.
                              Brian

                              Comment

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

                                #30

                                Comment

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