F40 and F41 Suspension

[Dave B.]

While this is day one for me on this sight I have several old muscle cars and a 2006 Z06. My first classic was a 1970 Corvette convertible and I've several C3's along the way. I love most of the old muscle cars and high performance late models, (I even have an SRT8 so clearly I don't discriminate), but I've never had a mid year Corvette. So, I just purchased a 1965 roadster, and am trying to learn a few things about it.

I can tell you that it does not have the original motor in it as it started out as a small block and now has a 396 bbc in it...and I'm just fine with that as I prefer a bbc. I would like to make a few improvements to it and need some advice. My primary concern is the suspension. It has the original rear suspension in it and I'd like to upgrade it to what a big block would have had. So, my first question is what is the difference between F40 and F41, (besides that the F41 was the successor to F40), suspension? Second, would a 1965 396 C2 have a 7 leaf set up?

Thanks in advance for your help and knowledge.

[Wayne M.]

Re: F40 and F41 Suspension

.... it (my '65) started out as a small block and now has a 396 bbc in it...and I'm just fine with that as I prefer a bbc. I would like to make a few improvements to it and need some advice. My primary concern is the suspension. It has the original rear suspension in it and I'd like to upgrade it to what a big block would have had. So, my first question is what is the difference between F40 and F41, (besides that the F41 was the successor to F40), suspension? Second, would a 1965 396 C2 have a 7 leaf set up? .....

Dave -- firstly, '65 396's didn't have to have the F40 suspension (no F41 for 1965 and no difference from the 1966 F41, AFAIK). Even the standard suspension 396 had a rear sway bar (9/16" diameter, and a larger 7/8" front sway). But if it had F40, yes, a 7-leaf rear spring, different front springs, different front sway bar 15/16" dia., and different shock absorbers on all 4 corners.

[Joe L.]

Re: F40 and F41 Suspension

Dave -- firstly, '65 396's didn't have to have the F40 suspension (no F41 for 1965 and no difference from the 1966 F41, AFAIK). Even the standard suspension 396 had a rear sway bar (9/16" diameter, and a larger 7/8" front sway). But if it had F40, yes, a 7-leaf rear spring, different front springs, different front sway bar 15/16" dia., and different shock absorbers on all 4 corners.

Wayne------


...and different shock mount shafts.

Also, for 1965 the L-78 standard suspension was the same as small block except for the stabilizer bars. With respect to the front springs, that was a mistake that GM corrected for the 1966 model year.

[Dave B.]

Re: F40 and F41 Suspension

Thank you gentleman!

[Daniel K.]

Re: F40 and F41 Suspension

Hi Dave,

Welcome to this discussion board. You will find the best advice possible here. I've attached a couple of pictures of the F-40 suspension from my L-78 coupe. As you will see, the car is not perfect and it is a work in progress and my list of things to do is long. The more I delve into the car, the more I discover its needs but, that the good side and I think there is no down side to owning these cars in terms of sheer enjoyment and "things to keep me busy." Hope this helps with your quest for more information. Post some pictures of your car. We all are interested in what you have and what you are doing with the car.

Dan K.

[Dave B.]

Re: F40 and F41 Suspension

Great picture Daniel, thank you! Will post pictures soon! Great information and people here, what a blessing.