Correct Coil Spring Finish for 66 - NCRS Discussion Boards

Correct Coil Spring Finish for 66

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  • Christopher A.
    Expired
    • February 13, 2009
    • 167

    Correct Coil Spring Finish for 66

    I have the original springs installed in my car and i painted them with cast blast. They are worn out and the front end bounces around when i accelerate, so i bought new springs, which are supposed to be the correct diameter and number of coils, from Long Island Corvette supply. I am going to install the new springs soon, which are currently bare cast iron, and i was wondering how to put the correct black factory finish on the springs. I believe that GM dipped the springs in some sort of rust inhibitor before installation. Can someone help shed light on this so that i can achieve the correct finish and will not be deducted points.

    Thanks so much!
  • Gene M.
    Extremely Frequent Poster
    • April 1, 1985
    • 4232

    #2
    Re: Correct Coil Spring Finish for 66

    I think you will find that the original springs were bare metal, no finish. Springs sold over the counter may have had a dry film for stowage. Assembly line spring was not coated.

    A light film of rust on the flight judging will be over looked by most knowledgeable judges to appear as delivered.

    Painted springs on a 66 will receive a 20% deduct for incorrect finish for that part of the line item. Be sure to install them right end up. Close coils at top or position notch. Seat them relative to hole per AIM.

    Comment

    • Christopher A.
      Expired
      • February 13, 2009
      • 167

      #3
      Re: Correct Coil Spring Finish for 66

      The newest 66 judging manual states that they should have a black protective finish, which was applied at the factory, so that is why i asked.

      Comment

      • Gene M.
        Extremely Frequent Poster
        • April 1, 1985
        • 4232

        #4
        Re: Correct Coil Spring Finish for 66

        Chris,
        I don't know where the manual got that information from. But I have never pulled apart a spring from any mid year that had any finish on it of any kind nor traces of such even up top in the frame seat.

        Comment

        • Christopher A.
          Expired
          • February 13, 2009
          • 167

          #5
          Re: Correct Coil Spring Finish for 66

          Well, i guess i will wait for others to chime in. I certainly dont want to loose points and i did read info where a former employee that worked on the assembly line stated that the springs were dipped in some sort of protective coating. Perhaps the coating wears off over time. I know i have never seen anything other than rust on original springs that i have removed, but after 40 some odd years of road dirt and the elements, i would assume that whatever protective coating that was present would be long gone.

          Comment

          • Michael H.
            Expired
            • January 29, 2008
            • 7477

            #6
            Re: Correct Coil Spring Finish for 66

            Originally posted by Gene Manno (8571)
            Chris,
            I don't know where the manual got that information from. But I have never pulled apart a spring from any mid year that had any finish on it of any kind nor traces of such even up top in the frame seat.
            I agree. All coil springs for all 63-67's were originally natural, unplated and unpainted.
            All, including production, had a coating of rust preventative that was nearly clear.

            Years later, (80's?) GM service springs were coming in with a black coating.

            Comment

            • Christopher A.
              Expired
              • February 13, 2009
              • 167

              #7
              Re: Correct Coil Spring Finish for 66

              I'm sure you all have read the manual, but here is the quote from page 168 concerning the front springs

              "Front springs are coated with a rust inhibitor and have a black appearance."

              I doubt the deduction will be very much if the person judging the car believes they should be black, so i suppose if the consensus is to go with bare cast iron, then that is what i will do.

              Thanks

              Comment

              • John H.
                Beyond Control Poster
                • December 1, 1997
                • 16513

                #8
                Re: Correct Coil Spring Finish for 66

                Originally posted by Michael Hanson (4067)
                I agree. All coil springs for all 63-67's were originally natural, unplated and unpainted.
                That's correct - only later Service and aftermarket coil springs were painted.

                Comment

                • Michael H.
                  Expired
                  • January 29, 2008
                  • 7477

                  #9
                  Re: Correct Coil Spring Finish for 66

                  Originally posted by Christopher Allison (50068)
                  I'm sure you all have read the manual, but here is the quote from page 168 concerning the front springs

                  "Front springs are coated with a rust inhibitor and have a black appearance."

                  I doubt the deduction will be very much if the person judging the car believes they should be black, so i suppose if the consensus is to go with bare cast iron, then that is what i will do.

                  Thanks
                  Christopher,

                  Here's a picture of a brand new 66 chassis going down the chassis line at the St Louis assembly plant. Maybe print the picture and have it handy at the time of judging?

                  The original blueprint for coil springs calls for a coating to prevent rust. It's a clear coat. Here are the exact instructions from engineering.;

                  "Spray or dip with Lucas rustproof #635 compound or equivalent for rust prevention. (mix 7 parts water with 1 part rustproof compound).
                  ".

                  A similar material/coating can be purchased from CRC under part number SP 350. It's a cosmoline/parafin liquid that will last a LONG time.
                  Last edited by Michael H.; December 2, 2011, 07:43 PM.

                  Comment

                  • Russ S.
                    Extremely Frequent Poster
                    • April 30, 1982
                    • 2162

                    #10
                    Re: Correct Coil Spring Finish for 66

                    Originally posted by Christopher Allison (50068)
                    I have the original springs installed in my car and i painted them with cast blast. They are worn out and the front end bounces around when i accelerate, so i bought new springs, which are supposed to be the correct diameter and number of coils, from Long Island Corvette supply. I am going to install the new springs soon, which are currently bare cast iron, and i was wondering how to put the correct black factory finish on the springs. I believe that GM dipped the springs in some sort of rust inhibitor before installation. Can someone help shed light on this so that i can achieve the correct finish and will not be deducted points.

                    Thanks so much!

                    If your front end bounces around that is bad shocks not bad springs. Bad springs will lower the ride height of the car.

                    Comment

                    • Christopher A.
                      Expired
                      • February 13, 2009
                      • 167

                      #11
                      Re: Correct Coil Spring Finish for 66

                      Thanks again!

                      Great info!

                      Comment

                      • Terry M.
                        Beyond Control Poster
                        • September 30, 1980
                        • 15599

                        #12
                        Re: Correct Coil Spring Finish for 66

                        Originally posted by Michael Hanson (4067)
                        Christopher,

                        Here's a picture of a brand new 66 chassis going down the chassis line at the St Louis assembly plant. Maybe print the picture and have it handy at the time of judging?

                        The original blueprint for coil springs calls for a coating to prevent rust. It's a clear coat. Here are the exact instructions from engineering.;

                        "Spray or dip with Lucas rustproof #635 compound or equivalent for rust prevention. (mix 7 parts water with 1 part rustproof compound).
                        ".

                        A similar material/coating can be purchased from CRC under part number SP 350. It's a cosmoline/parafin liquid that will last a LONG time.
                        Just to be clear, CRC-350 is not a water soluble material. It can be diluted with mineral spirits, should you chose. Applied neat it will take several months to loose the wet look, so allow some time for it to dry before judging. You might want to try it on something Less critical than your Corvette using though.
                        Terry

                        Comment

                        • Wayne M.
                          Expired
                          • March 1, 1980
                          • 6414

                          #13
                          Re: Correct Coil Spring Finish for 66

                          Originally posted by John Hinckley (29964)
                          That's correct - only later Service and aftermarket coil springs were painted.
                          This may be helpful in narrowing the "later service" timeframe.

                          NOS 3888250; BB w/o C60 for C2; GM box has 6-83 date on end flap; UPS shipping sticker shows 8/ 4/83. Shipping/Picking tag [3rd pic] reads:
                          GM Motors Parts Div., Baltimore parts distribution center; 1800 Parkway Dr., Hanover MD. Shipped to: J_K_J Chevrolet, 2000 Chain Bridge, Vienna VA. Can't understand the dates though; Same tag shows date "1278" yet middle pic shows date "06128" ????

                          Where there's rust, it is in the form of a fine powder and comes off with a finger rubbing. I'm intrigued by that crepe paper that is inserted down the center -- could it (have) been impregnated with some anti-rust preservative ?

                          Notice the part # tag attached to one of the coils; typical from the service era -- yellow with a slight greenish tinge (not the dark green with part # and large code letters that would have been on factory original cars).
                          Attached Files
                          Last edited by Wayne M.; December 5, 2011, 04:38 PM.

                          Comment

                          • Chris E.
                            Extremely Frequent Poster
                            • November 3, 2006
                            • 1326

                            #14
                            Re: Correct Coil Spring Finish for 66

                            Chris,

                            I had my new front springs powdercoated Storm Grey. Takes a ONE POINT deduct in Regional Flight judging.

                            So for the one day per year I'm having the car judged, it is a little bit of a hurdle. For the ohter 364 days out of the year, my springs look fantastic.



                            It's a personal choice, I chose to take the point hit and have nice suspension for YEARS to come. I have 800 miles on the car so far and they still look the same way when they came from the powdercoater.
                            Chris Enstrom
                            North Central Chapter Judging Chairman
                            1967 Rally Red convertible, 327/350, 4 speed, Duntov @ Hampton in 2013, Founders @ KC in 2014, family owned since 1973
                            2011 Z06, red/red

                            Comment

                            • Christopher A.
                              Expired
                              • February 13, 2009
                              • 167

                              #15
                              Re: Correct Coil Spring Finish for 66

                              Well, that depends. If the springs are worn out, then the shocks can't do their job effectively because they are taking on too much of the force and load. I installed brand new Delco shocks on the car and there is no difference. Perhaps bounce was the wrong word-it lifts under hard acceleration and dives between shifts, but it does not continue to move. I've had the same problem on two other cars in the past, both of which I had tried new shocks on and new springs resolved the problem. I've already got the springs and I've already tried the shocks, so why not. Ill report back in a couple of weeks with the results.
                              Thanks

                              Comment

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