64 Stock Ride Height - Front Springs and Other Things

[Jace H.]

I have several questions as I am trying to restore the stock ride height in my 64 coupe. (By the way this car is in the new 2012 Chevy Silverado HD brochure - check it out! Just had to mention that)

How many coils should a stock 64 front spring have? (Just bought a pair from Eaton Springs and there are 7 coils)

They came painted gloss black so I am assuming that for NCRS judging I need to strip them and leave them natural? Is there a process I should follow to ensure the correct finish?

I also bought their stock rear spring setup and will replace/restore all other suspension components.

Do I really need to replace the crossmember bushings on a 70k mile car?

Any recommendations on replacement shocks?

This is my winter project!

Thanks in advance,
Jace

[Timothy B.]

Re: 64 Stock Ride Height - Front Springs and Other Things

Jace,

The best way to restore the correct ride height is the use the original springs. Do you still have these pieces and why did you decide to change them?

That being said the 64 front coil spring is a progressive rate spring with some coils closer at one end than the other. I don't know off hand the # of coils but I am sure there is information in the archives about this. The original spring has a spec height at a certain load rating, that's how the correct height is established.

The rear leaf spring is common to 1964 through 1972 and probably later year cars and if it's not rusted where the liners ride it is usually servicable along with the rubber cushions at the spring bolt location on the sides. The spring needs to be taken apart to see the rust condition, also good information in the archives.

IMO, if the old parts are not rust pitted you wasted your $$.

[Duke W.]

Re: 64 Stock Ride Height - Front Springs and Other Things

...agree with the above. Sping data is in the AMA specs availalble as a free download from the GM Heritage Web site.

As long as the OE springs are not damaged or severely corroded they should be cleaned up and reinstalled.

Duke

[Alan D.]

Re: 64 Stock Ride Height - Front Springs and Other Things

Here is a Mar64 spring, the finish is a little darker then one would expect. However there's nothing on it except some oil, in the car now and looks lighter. (perhaps oil has gone away)

[Michael H.]

Re: 64 Stock Ride Height - Front Springs and Other Things

Here's a brand new one on the 66 St Louis assembly line. (and yes, it is upside down, according to the instructions)

[Timothy B.]

Re: 64 Stock Ride Height - Front Springs and Other Things

Michael,

That's a nice picture showing the cast finish on the sway bar and the shims on the frame horns.. I always forget the proper spring installation, is it close loops go up in the tower?

[Joe L.]

Re: 64 Stock Ride Height - Front Springs and Other Things

I have several questions as I am trying to restore the stock ride height in my 64 coupe. (By the way this car is in the new 2012 Chevy Silverado HD brochure - check it out! Just had to mention that)

How many coils should a stock 64 front spring have? (Just bought a pair from Eaton Springs and there are 7 coils)

They came painted gloss black so I am assuming that for NCRS judging I need to strip them and leave them natural? Is there a process I should follow to ensure the correct finish?

I also bought their stock rear spring setup and will replace/restore all other suspension components.

Do I really need to replace the crossmember bushings on a 70k mile car?

Any recommendations on replacement shocks?

This is my winter project!

Thanks in advance,
Jace

Jace------


The spring should have 12 coils, just as pictured in the post above. The F-40 spring had 7 coils. You don't want to use that one unless the car was originally so-equipped and you want to keep it that way.

The "gloss black" on the springs may be powder coating. That's a lot more difficult to remove than paint.

Your crossmember cushions may be OK. However, corrosion plays a big part in the failure of these cushions and your car has had 48 years for the corrosion to proceed.

There are no shocks on the market today which are configured like the originals. So, I'd suggest just going with a high quality aftermarket shock like Bilstein, KYB, Koni or Edelbrock.

[Joe L.]

Re: 64 Stock Ride Height - Front Springs and Other Things

Michael,

That's a nice picture showing the cast finish on the sway bar and the shims on the frame horns.. I always forget the proper spring installation, is it close loops go up in the tower?

Timothy-----

Close-spaced coils go UP.

[Michael H.]

Re: 64 Stock Ride Height - Front Springs and Other Things

Timothy-----

Close-spaced coils go UP.

Close spaced coils are SUPPOSED to go up.

It didn't always happen that way though. I watched the front suspension/steering guy (don't remember his name now) on the St Louis frame line install several springs the wrong way. When I asked about it, he just smiled.

[Jace H.]

Re: 64 Stock Ride Height - Front Springs and Other Things

Thanks to all of you for responding. I am rethinking my strategy. I know that the rear spring has been changed but not sure about the front.

Jace