Discussion Forum - Northstar Chevelle Club

jim larson · 2K+ Club

Thinking car sits a little high in the rear, any comments?

dashboard · 2K+ Club

Are both the above pics with the same springs?

jim larson · 2K+ Club

yes, in the photo of the two springs, the left is what I got with the car, the taller one on the right I took out of the 4 dr hardtop I drug home from SD.

Lost in the 60s · President

Put a couple sand bags in the trunk for traction and it will be perfect. I like a little rake on these cars.

jim larson · 2K+ Club

Lost in the 60s wrote:
Put a couple sand bags in the trunk for traction and it will be perfect. I like a little rake on these cars.

That was my thought. Sand bags for traction and when I get stuck in the snow. I would like the car to sit about 1" lower. Would cutting the spring at the top be an option?

Derek69SS · Founding Member

64-66 springs can be cut, as they only pigtailed at the bottom. 67+ are double pigtail, and cannot be cut.

Lost in the 60s · President

The spring is "flattened" at the top so more of it contacts the frame pad to spread the load. When you cut it, you will loose that flattened area and the raw end will eventually fatigue the pad and crack it.

dashboard · 2K+ Club

Have you driven the car yet?

jim larson · 2K+ Club

Lost in the 60s wrote:
The spring is "flattened" at the top so more of it contacts the frame pad to spread the load. When you cut it, you will loose that flattened area and the raw end will eventually fatigue the pad and crack it.

I was wondering about that. It would probably have to be heated and flattened if that is even possible.

more ambition than brains · 1K+ Club

I am guessing the springs were calibrated for the four door hardtop.
The hardtop has more glass, more door hardware and last but not least, more stiffeners to replace the full center pillar with the stubby one.
Partial post is twice as heavy as full post, floor has extra bracing, etc.
Guessing about 250 lbs. difference.

I agree with Mitch, I like the rear Up a Little.
Keep the fuel tank full and haul more beverage!

Karl

jim larson · 2K+ Club

Are you suggesting a keg with a hose running to the front seat. I haven't done that is 55 years.

Derek69SS · Founding Member

Looks a bit too high IMHO, and likely to cause wheelhop.

jim larson · 2K+ Club

more ambition than brains wrote:
I am guessing the springs were calibrated for the four door hardtop.
The hardtop has more glass, more door hardware and last but not least, more stiffeners to replace the full center pillar with the stubby one.
Partial post is twice as heavy as full post, floor has extra bracing, etc.
Guessing about 250 lbs. difference.

I agree with Mitch, I like the rear Up a Little.
Keep the fuel tank full and haul more beverage!

Karl

I put my other springs back in with a 1" spacer. I think the car sits a little low with just the springs only. Here is. A ne w photo. Wheel well opening is now at 24 1/2, it was at 26 with the 4dr hyd spring. And sT at 22 1/2 with just the springs and no spacer. Anyone deal with Kramer Spings in west St. Paul?

-- Edited by jim larson on Wednesday 3rd of May 2017 05:26:10 PM

more ambition than brains · 1K+ Club

Kramer has been around a long time.
We have used them for various needs, always been good experience.

Have you though of getting a pair of Air Lift bags to put inside rear coils?

I bought a set for the Blue elky, as I am adding some weight in smugglers box.

Individual filler stems, just like tires, would work well for elevation and side to side leveling.

Have no idea how they might affect ride, however, I am adding weight.

Just a thought.

Karl

jim larson · 2K+ Club

Domthing like this Karl?

http://www.autoanything.com/suspension-systems/77A2966A2341547.aspx?k_clickid=233d5648-98ed-4307-b353-429b2ffc53c1&adgroupid=9827&k_trackingid=274x284186359855&kpid=2966-2341547&productid=284186359855&kc=ffsku&DZID=PLA_g_1297481_730736107_35013377021_pla_284186359855_2966-2341547_9019495_c&utm_source=g&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=730736107&utm_content=35013377021&utm_productgroup=284186359855&utm_product=2966-2341547&gclid=Cj0KEQjwoqvIBRD6ls6og8qB77YBEiQAcqqHe9dUMNR9YhyswqMhbtTqTTlagLXlVqWAa_G3w4CQ81oaAilF8P8HAQ

Lost in the 60s · President

Yes, but DON'T BUY ANYTHING from those people. They don't stock the parts and once they have your money, they start sending email notifications that it will takes weeks longer to get the part. I went thru this a few weeks back with them and finally was able to get my money back but will NEVER do business with them again.

Jegs and Summit both sell the air bags too and will match Auto Anythings price. Summit did on the gauges I initially ordered from AA.

-- Edited by Lost in the 60s on Thursday 4th of May 2017 06:37:42 PM

more ambition than brains · 1K+ Club

I will snap a picture tomorrow.
I still have the box, somewhere!
Karl

Lost in the 60s · President

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/hss-31750/overview/year/1966/make/chevrolet/model/chevelle

jim larson · 2K+ Club

Lost in the 60s wrote:
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/hss-31750/overview/year/1966/make/chevrolet/model/chevelle

http://www.sdtrucksprings.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=6028

These guys look good, suppose to arrive in 3 days. Free Ship

more ambition than brains · 1K+ Club

Looks like them!

Kinda dusty under there.

Car was torn apart 22 years ago in February, I am very methodical in my efforts!

jim larson · 2K+ Club

Wish there were black. Isn't there a plate that sits on the bottom so the bag doesn't ride on the bolt head and spring clip?

bowtie · Secretary

The look I like best is one where the rear wheel lip is slightly under the wheelwell lip, maybe an inch or less. Make the body level off that. Your picture IMG_0296 looks pretty close from what I can see.

more ambition than brains · 1K+ Club

You suddenly don't like red??????
Bolt is recessed into cup.
Bag is really thick material.
Fill is on top.
Come on up someday, take a closer look.

Karl

jim larson · 2K+ Club

bowtie wrote:
The look I like best is one where the rear wheel lip is slightly under the wheelwell lip, maybe an inch or less. Make the body level off that. Your picture IMG_0296 looks pretty close from what I can see.

With the 4 dr hdt springs installed, the top of the tire and the bottom of the wheel well lip were even, i did not like that. With just the springs that came with the car, way to low. In the IMG-0296 I have 1 1/4" spacers installed, I like that. It's just that it is a pita to installed the spacers, I would like something like the original spring free height with an installed height of where it is now. Thats why I am now considering the airlift bags or different springs.

more ambition than brains · 1K+ Club

Try fresh, correct springs first.
Karl

dashboard · 2K+ Club

Have you tried these folks yet www.springsnthings.com/ Ask for Laura.
There were multiple different combinations of springs for our cars. A 72 Chevelle could have had any one of 38 different springs installed in the factory. I think a lot of venders are selling 'generic' springs, one size fits all.
Springs and things is where the Buick guys go. Karl spot on, you're never going to get it right with 50 year old springs.
Talk with Laura, she'll send you a correct spring set, if you don't like it send them back and she'll replace them with a taller or shorter one. You'll also get a spring with the correct spring rate.
And their prices are very competitive. Good luck.

jim larson · 2K+ Club

Eaton Detroit spring gets high marks. But I will have to check with Laura. Tkanks.