1970 service replacement rear spring?

[D S.]

Re: 1970 service replacement rear spring?

If it's in as good shape as the guy says it does not need to be re-arched. New liners, painting is all that is needed. It may have been removed from a '69 but do you know for sure that it is original or just another replacement?
Jeff

Good point. What are sure-fire tell-tale signs to look for? Markings, part numbers, what?

[D S.]

Re: 1970 service replacement rear spring?

Here are three photos of the '69 rear spring that I may be getting. The owner was concerned it might be a service replacement because he said the plastic shims or liners were in very nice shape. Anyone know how to tell the difference between originals and service replacements?

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: 1970 service replacement rear spring?

In order to tell if it is an aftermarket replacement or original we need o see a picture from above of the ends of the leaves. Replacements have a tapered but straight outer edge whereas originals have a "scalloped" edge. I don't know if I'm explaining it right but I will "know it if I see it". Does this mean I am qualified to be a Supreme Court Justice?
Jeff

[D S.]

Re: 1970 service replacement rear spring?

In order to tell if it is an aftermarket replacement or original we need o see a picture from above of the ends of the leaves. Replacements have a tapered but straight outer edge whereas originals have a "scalloped" edge. I don't know if I'm explaining it right but I will "know it if I see it". Does this mean I am qualified to be a Supreme Court Justice?
Jeff

You know how us "purists" are, Judge. I will ask the guy to photograph it from the top. I want to know for sure before I go to cleaning it up and installing it.

[Michael G.]

Re: 1970 service replacement rear spring?

You know how us "purists" are, Judge. I will ask the guy to photograph it from the top. I want to know for sure before I go to cleaning it up and installing it.

A top shot is ok but a good shot of the ends of the leafs would aid in making the call on originality.

[D S.]

Re: 1970 service replacement rear spring?

A top shot is ok but a good shot of the ends of the leafs would aid in making the call on originality.

I went through the TDB archives and all I saw were distance photos of '69-'72 springs but I noticed they appeared to have a slight upward curl on the ends whether mounted on the car or just sitting on the floor. The one on my car sure doesn't. When I think of scallops I think of the perimeter edges of pie crusts but I am sure not that pronounced.
Thanks for the suggestion.

[Gary B.]

Re: 1970 service replacement rear spring?

I went through the TDB archives and all I saw were distance photos of '69-'72 springs but I noticed they appeared to have a slight upward curl on the ends whether mounted on the car or just sitting on the floor. The one on my car sure doesn't. When I think of scallops I think of the perimeter edges of pie crusts but I am sure not that pronounced.
Thanks for the suggestion.

Scott,

I'm pretty certain there are some photos in the archives showing the taper rolled ends on original springs. It's best to look at both a top and side view to confirm originality. And any 63-79 or so spring will do. You don't need to restrict yourself to 69-72. Also, imagining a pie crust doesn't help.

There is a sketch from the side of a repro and an original in one of the articles on leaf springs that I wrote for the Restorer about 7 or 8 years ago. Can't remember the year or issue off the top of my head.

Gary

[Paul O.]

Re: 1970 service replacement rear spring?

Scott

From what I see in those photos it appears to be an original type rear spring.

1. The top 3 leafs are straight with no curved up ends

2. The liners also appear correct.

3. The bottom leaf end has the correct appearance.

4. Just need a better close up photo looking from the top and side of the middle 5 leafs at their ends as everyone else has pointed out.

Paul 18046

[Terry M.]

Re: 1970 service replacement rear spring?

To add to Paul's comments, I really like the finish on that spring and if it found its way to my car I wouldn't touch it. I don't care what you do to it you will never make it original again.

[D S.]

Re: 1970 service replacement rear spring?

To add to Paul's comments, I really like the finish on that spring and if it found its way to my car I wouldn't touch it. I don't care what you do to it you will never make it original again.

I emailed Grant that if I got the spring I would clean it up and install it. But if I did that it would make the rest of the undercarriage jealous. By the way, I bought two pairs of those 1970 headlight washer check valves.

[Gary B.]

Re: 1970 service replacement rear spring?

Scott

From what I see in those photos it appears to be an original type rear spring.

1. The top 3 leafs are straight with no curved up ends
...

Paul 18046

Paul,

I'm not certain what you mean by "no curved up ends". All leaves, except the main leaf, should have the same taper rolled ends.

Gary

[Paul O.]

Re: 1970 service replacement rear spring?

Gary

What I am saying is that the 5 middle leafs have a much more pronounced up ward curve then the top 3 shorter leafs. The top 3 have variations of the curve from none to very slight but not as great as the middle 5 leafs. Also if it were an F41 spring then I would expect the all 6 leafs to be curved up except for the bottom one.

I also agree with Terry leave the spring alone just install the bushing cups and install the spring. Do not forget that the bushing cup is flared over to lock it in the spring.

Paul 18046

[Jim T.]

Re: 1970 service replacement rear spring?

Paul, I wouldn't know that as the spring might have been replaced before I bought it. Or I had it re-arched around 2005 maybe. Would clamps be installed after re-arching? I know that my mechanic and I talked about the rear spring about six years ago and he strongly advised against Fiberglas springs but can't recall what we did. Here is a photo that I hope will help.

What does your mechanic not like about composite/fiberglass springs? I installed one on my 1970 350/300 turbo 400 coupe about 22-23 years ago. Rear does not bottom out as experienced with the original steel spring when the 70 is loaded for a road trip. Does not squat and pull up the front end when power is applied. Liked it enough to install the same on my 68 327/350 4-speed about 12 years ago. Some 1981 Corvettes were the first to come from the factory with the composite/fiberglass rear spring.

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: 1970 service replacement rear spring?

Here are 2 photos of an original spring, on the left in both, next to an Eaton spring.
Jeff