1967 Coil Spring Replacement

[Terry K.]

The coil springs on my 1967 covertible are original and need to be replaced. I am looking for a vendor who can supply a correct replacement to match the OEM spring. Thoughts about the best vendor to supply correct front coil springs will be appreciated.

[Donald T.]

Re: 1967 Coil Spring Replacement

Terry,

Unfortunately, there is no such animal on the market at this time. I don't know of any currently available springs that have the progressive spring rate with the tighter coils at the end. If you want the correct spring then you have to find an NOS set. You didn't specify the application but assuming it is the standard small block spring then it would be GM 3851100. Having said that, there are functional replacements available that will work just fine, but will not duplicate the originals.

Are you sure the springs need to be replaced? Are they heavily corroded? Have you checked the ride height?

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/attachme...34233&uid=9034

[Edward J.]

Re: 1967 Coil Spring Replacement

Terry,I Put On Set Of Coil Springs On A Friends 63 Sm. Block Conv. From Corvette America,the Car Sat Perfectly When Done And I Believe They Had The Tighter Wound Coils At The Top.

[Donald T.]

Re: 1967 Coil Spring Replacement

Terry,I Put On Set Of Coil Springs On A Friends 63 Sm. Block Conv. From Corvette America,the Car Sat Perfectly When Done And I Believe They Had The Tighter Wound Coils At The Top.

The Corvette America springs look like the typical reproduction spring and they make no claim of a progressive spring rate. Unless something new has come out on the market, no one makes a correct front spring that I am aware of.

http://www.corvetteamerica.com/cf/displaylearnmore.cfm?learnmoreid=4619&idlist=83,1248,195,4619,1162,3865,4620&searchdest=%2Fcf%2Flearnmorelist%2Ecfm%3Fsubcategoryid%3D2930%26keyword%3Dspring&subcategoryid=2930&searchname=Keyword%3A%20spring

[Chris E.]

Re: 1967 Coil Spring Replacement

So, how does one pass PV with a non-progressive replacement spring? My understanding is that ride height is the first thing judges check when they're walking up to the car.....

[John H.]

Re: 1967 Coil Spring Replacement

So, how does one pass PV with a non-progressive replacement spring? My understanding is that ride height is the first thing judges check when they're walking up to the car.....

Chris -

The front springs don't have to be variable-rate/progressively-wound in order to produce correct ride height. Constant-rate springs can produce correct ride height if the other spring variables are correct for the application.

[Chris E.]

Re: 1967 Coil Spring Replacement

Chris -

The front springs don't have to be variable-rate/progressively-wound in order to produce correct ride height. Constant-rate springs can produce correct ride height if the other spring variables are correct for the application.

Roger that. Thanks John.

[Michael F.]

Re: 1967 Coil Spring Replacement

Is there a definitive way to tell an original progressive rate spring,notches, etc...?

Is this a progressive spring? The tags do have the correct part #

[John H.]

Re: 1967 Coil Spring Replacement

Is there a definitive way to tell an original progressive rate spring,notches, etc...?

Is this a progressive spring? The tags do have the correct part #

Mike -

Yes, those are variable-rate progressively-wound springs, with the correct 12 coils for #3851100 springs.

[Michael F.]

Re: 1967 Coil Spring Replacement

Thanks John.With that endorsement, I just bought them. I have eaton non progressive units. Ride height is perfect. But I suspect the original springs progressive rate will give a superior ride and be easier on my fiberglass. Am I wrong?

[John H.]

Re: 1967 Coil Spring Replacement

Thanks John.With that endorsement, I just bought them. I have eaton non progressive units. Ride height is perfect. But I suspect the original springs progressive rate will give a superior ride and be easier on my fiberglass. Am I wrong?

You can't tell until they're installed and have settled, but their free-state configuration appears to match that of the originals. Spring load rates are measured with the spring compressed to its design load, so free-state height doesn't mean much. Be sure and let us know how they work out for you.

[Michael F.]

Re: 1967 Coil Spring Replacement

Ya, I took a bit of chance that they could be dead. The seller has a good rep. I am hoping they are fresh and sit right. Not sure when I will install them. When I do, I will be sure and post the outcome here and on the Forum .