C2 1965 Front Ride Height

[Wayne M.]

Re: 3851100 springs; I believe 12 coils is correct, not 10

...... with tags have 3851100 ED, clearly showing 12 coils. The 12-coil springs in Jerry's photo are identical to the original springs on my '66....

Gary, others -- in my 8-year collection of spring pics that were on eBay, I have a good half dozen or so of 3851100 either NOS with tag, or original with weathered tag still intact. They are ALL 12-coils, and (IMO) they are equally spaced turns, not progressively wound [sometimes a close-up shot can distort the optics]. Could post a few if others question.

[Michael F.]

Re: C2 1965 Front Ride Height

I had all kinds of height issues with replacement front springs. I installed Eatons reproduction coils. Ride is now factory height according to the AIM manual.
Eaton has the factory blueprints on most Chevies and all Corvettes.

[Michael F.]

Re: C2 1965 Front Ride Height

Ed -

The original #3851100 springs were variable-rate and progressively-wound, and the end with the closely-spaced coils went up, in the spring pocket in the frame, as noted in the Assembly Manual.

I don't think any of the currently-available replacements are wound that way; all I've seen are constant-rate, with evenly-spaced coils.

Photo of #3851100 springs below.

My Eatons were constant rate. They slipped right into the notch in the pocket. I didn't even need a spring compressor.

[Gary B.]

3851100 springs; progressive? I think so

Gary, others -- in my 8-year collection of spring pics that were on eBay, I have a good half dozen or so of 3851100 either NOS with tag, or original with weathered tag still intact. They are ALL 12-coils, and (IMO) they are equally spaced turns, not progressively wound [sometimes a close-up shot can distort the optics]. Could post a few if others question.

Wayne,

On the original 12-coil springs from my '66 that I removed from the car, I just quickly measured the inter-coil spacing and it is around 0.9" between 6 adjacent coils and then roughly 0.75" between 4 adjacent coils. The coils on the very ends are are closer to their neighbors. I think the 0.9" vs 0.75" inter-coil change means it is progressive, but subtly so.

Gary

[John H.]

Re: 3851100 springs; I believe 12 coils is correct, not 10

John,

In a posting on Sept 3 of 2007 Joe Lucia stated:



On November 10 of 2007 Jerry Fuccillo posted a photo (attached) of the original springs on his '67 base engine car with tags have 3851100 ED, clearly showing 12 coils. The 12-coil springs in Jerry's photo are identical to the original springs on my '66.

Gary

Gary -

The photo I posted was sent to me by someone as the original springs from his '66 car (?). Photo below is a #3851100 from my parts "stash" for my '67.

[Gary B.]

NOS 3851100 coil springs on e-bay

I have searched ebay and see some 3851100 "NOS" springs for sale. All I have seen are with 12 coils, non progressive.

Hinckley posted a photo of the springs as originally configured.

If your springs are not nestled with its ends butting directly the ends of the spring pockets, then your car will sit too high.

There is an e-bay seller who has had numerous auctions in recent months for what he/she describes as NOS 3851100 coils springs. I have nothing to do with that seller, nor can I attest to the accuracy of his/her statements. In any case, he/she has a current auction (item # 120545155075) for these NOS springs and they look correct to me. The auction states they are progressive. Any other opinions based on the auction description and photo?

Gary

[Joe C.]

Re: NOS 3851100 coil springs on e-bay

There is an e-bay seller who has had numerous auctions in recent months for what he/she describes as NOS 3851100 coils springs. I have nothing to do with that seller, nor can I attest to the accuracy of his/her statements. In any case, he/she has a current auction (item # 120545155075) for these NOS springs and they look correct to me. The auction states they are progressive. Any other opinions based on the auction description and photo?

Gary

I looked at a second pair of old springs that I have, from a '66 Corvette. They have 12 coils which appear to be evenly spaced.

I have seen the Lady's auction that you are talking about, as well as the ad of a famous Corvette Dr who is selling these from his "private" stock. Both of these appear to be similar to those with 12 coils pictured in the photo above.

[Gary B.]

NOS springs

Joe,

Unless I'm reading the Dr's catalog incorrectly, his price is $450 for a pair of NOS springs + shipping. The e-bay person has a $200 Buy-It-Now price + shipping.

Gary

[Randy R.]

Re: C2 1965 Front Ride Height

I just removed one of my front springs to check to see if it was installed with the closely spaced coils on top. The coil spacing appears to be about the same on both ends. The spring still had one of the paper labels on it when I started. The car is a May built 67 convertible, L79.

Randy

[Joe C.]

Re: NOS springs

Joe,

Unless I'm reading the Dr's catalog incorrectly, his price is $450 for a pair of NOS springs + shipping. The e-bay person has a $200 Buy-It-Now price + shipping.

Gary

I didn't look at the price.

It costs a lot of money to run a motor home these days, ya know?

Maybe the "Lady" charges $250.00 for shipping?

I only Googled "buy new 3851100 spring" and saw the web ad. A very quick perusal showed two and only two.........................I was more interested in the photos than the prices, but if you say he's asking $450.00, then remember what my bud, WC Fields said about "suckers".