zangx1

HELP!!!
How do you safely install this
spring?

wmf62

do a search for Plasticman and/or gorilla spring and you will find info.
Bill

Plasticman

Here is the info that I had previously wrote (about installing the C1 return spring).

No special tool is required other than a large Crescent Wrench (12" or so). Assemble the spring at the bottom, then assemble it onto upper bracket (the bracket that bolts to the cross shaft), then assemble the bracket to the cross shaft using the bottom bolt only (leave this bolt loose so that the bracket can pivot in relation to the cross shaft). Then attach the Crescent wrench to the top of the bracket (across the upper end of the bracket - about a 1" gap at the Crescent wrench) and pivot the bracket into place and insert the top bolt. Adjust the bracket via the Crescent wrench (in relation to the cross shaft) so that the specified effort is obtained at the pedal, and then tighten the 2 bolts (see the ST-12 for adjustment procedure - you do have the ST-12 don't you?).

Hope this helps,
Plasticman

Frankie the Fink

Here is my lovely artwork on where the wrench goes !

firstgear

1snake

Do like Plasticman said. It is described in the ST-12. People have been cussin' at installing the gorilla spring for years but if they follow the instructions written by Chevrolet over 50 years ago, it takes less than 1 minute to install it. I've seen people make special tools, pullers etc. or wedge washers in it to expand it enough to get it hooked up and I laugh my azz off. If they only knew how to read the service manual.

Jim

Steve59

Just watch your knuckles.....

dcrocker316

thanks plasticman. Dave

1961Corvette

Hi,
we've had our 61 in the family since 1963, and trying to install the gorilla spring, and appears to be a couple inches too short, is this right? Should it have to be extended thta much to connect to the linkage from the frame?

Geralds57

It's not too short if it's factory type spring. In Franks picture, the bracket pivots down on the lower bolt, then attach the spring, then use the crescent wrench to bring it up to the top and line up the bolt hole for the top bolt and tighten everything down.

Frankie the Fink

Make SURE you have the hook at the top and the hairpin clip at the bottom of the spring per the picture - I've actually seen the Bubba'ed in that regard. Rocking the Z-bar as indicated you will come to a 'sweet spot' where the spring almost falls on - then you'll ask yourself what the big deal was...

65GGvert

I used a 3 ft long floor jack handle to do it by myself. I put the handle behind the part of the bar where the spring adaptor plate oval thing goes and under a frame attachment and pushed down the "z" bar and hooked the plate on and released the handle, took about 5 seconds. As Frankie said, once you get over the center, the farther you go, the less tension there is on the spring and it gets easier.

MOXIE62

I've got an old Model A jack that the top will fit right between the 531367 clip and the black arm with the red lines drawn on it. I just jack it up till I could get the top bolt in. Worked well for me. You need to make sure that horse show clip is snug on the frame. Had one to pop off in traffic and never could find it. Don't know why the did not weld that in place.

1961Corvette

Success, I've had it installed wrong for 35 years since i did a frame off restauratuon..

Geralds57

1961Corvette

need to weld up the groove though, as original lever on vehicle and about 7/8 wore through...nice to have a MIG handy