Gorilla spring
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 10,340
Likes: 664
From: Beverly Hills (Pine Ridge) Florida
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
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
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,145
Army
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
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
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,000
Likes: 659
From: Puget Sound
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
Jim
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7th Gear
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 7
Likes: 1
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?
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?
Safety Car
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,677
Likes: 646
From: Indiana
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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.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,145
Army
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...
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,164
Likes: 4,171
From: Kannapolis NC
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...
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,578
Likes: 334
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.
7th Gear
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 7
Likes: 1
Success, I've had it installed wrong for 35 years since i did a frame off restauratuon..
Safety Car
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,677
Likes: 646
From: Indiana
2025 c3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C1 of the Year Winner - Modified
2023 C1 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C1 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 C1 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2019 C1 of Year Finalist (performance mods)
2018 C1 of Year Finalist