Big Block Coil Springs
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,608
Likes: 3
From: TEXAS - you mean there are other states?
Big Block Coil Springs
OK - I hesitated to post this but.....
I re-installed my BB springs and am hitting a few problems.
1. Are these my springs (see pics 4-5 replies down)? I wonder if the powder coater returned my springs to me? I clearly recall before that I had to compress the hell of out the spring to get it to fit - especially with no weight on the car. I compressed slightly and it fit AND I was able to rotate it when it was bvetween the A-Arms. Also - as mentioned in another post, the spring is about 3" short of being long enough to rest near the end of the grooves. I need to take a measurement in total height.
2. AFTER installing one side, I went to remove the spring compression toool and I cannot remove it. The block part of the assembly will not fit out the lower A-Arm hole !!!! dnag - will disassemble and get another style of compression tool. Anyone experience this?
3. I will be going Brodix aluminum heads - what have ya'll done to compensate? Cut or new?
I re-installed my BB springs and am hitting a few problems.
1. Are these my springs (see pics 4-5 replies down)? I wonder if the powder coater returned my springs to me? I clearly recall before that I had to compress the hell of out the spring to get it to fit - especially with no weight on the car. I compressed slightly and it fit AND I was able to rotate it when it was bvetween the A-Arms. Also - as mentioned in another post, the spring is about 3" short of being long enough to rest near the end of the grooves. I need to take a measurement in total height.
2. AFTER installing one side, I went to remove the spring compression toool and I cannot remove it. The block part of the assembly will not fit out the lower A-Arm hole !!!! dnag - will disassemble and get another style of compression tool. Anyone experience this?
3. I will be going Brodix aluminum heads - what have ya'll done to compensate? Cut or new?
Last edited by kaiserbud; Dec 10, 2006 at 01:48 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,327
Likes: 16
From: Fl
Hey ...
If the springs are original then the top coils will be closely winded (1st three I think) and the rest seperated normally.
Also - the damn spring is TALL , must stand 20" ++ or more.
It is a real SOB to compress and I can tell you for absolute sure (I just did this last week), you will not be able to just slide it up and in and rotate it around.
Sounds like the incorrect springs.
Even after you compress the spring, you will still need to jack the lower control arm up to get the upper ball-joint to feed through the spindle.
Hope this helps some.
BTW: Is you car a A/C car?
If not I have a set of 20K mile BB GM springs you are welcome to.
I paid like 40.00 for them, be the same back to ya + shipping.
Let me know..
Bill
If the springs are original then the top coils will be closely winded (1st three I think) and the rest seperated normally.
Also - the damn spring is TALL , must stand 20" ++ or more.
It is a real SOB to compress and I can tell you for absolute sure (I just did this last week), you will not be able to just slide it up and in and rotate it around.
Sounds like the incorrect springs.
Even after you compress the spring, you will still need to jack the lower control arm up to get the upper ball-joint to feed through the spindle.
Hope this helps some.
BTW: Is you car a A/C car?
If not I have a set of 20K mile BB GM springs you are welcome to.
I paid like 40.00 for them, be the same back to ya + shipping.
Let me know..
Bill
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,426
Likes: 1
From: VetteMOD
St. Jude Donor '05-'07
These are the springs out of my 68 427 w/F-41. They came out without a spring compressor. BB springs are shorter than SB. 12 1/2 inches free length 11/16 dia. coils
Last edited by BBShark; Dec 7, 2006 at 09:27 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,608
Likes: 3
From: TEXAS - you mean there are other states?
Good info - mine are 12 1/2" long (although it looks like the pic shows 14ish - they are 12.5"). Now - it looks like the ends of yours are equal (they stop at the same 'clock' position.
See how mine are short from meeting... guessing maybe 12 o'clock and 2 o'clock? Also - you cannot see it in the pic, but the top end has a slightly tighter spiral for the last 3 inches or so, but it is ever so slight.
The pic that shows the installed spring.... The starting point of the upper part of the spring is centered in the hole in the frame. Can you see how the lower part of the spring is 3" or so shy of the hole in the lower control arm? The tape on the control arm signify the end of the coil.
BBShark - Mine also will not stand by themselves. Yours have 7 full rings - mine have 6.8+- (about that short to lower A arm hole)
Smokin' - I removed the long bolt [of the spring compressor tool], but cannot turn the [lower part of the spring compressor sideways to enable me to get it out of the spring tower].
72... - I have A/C and will have to assess and get back with you on the springs - I may have to lower due to Alum Heads
See how mine are short from meeting... guessing maybe 12 o'clock and 2 o'clock? Also - you cannot see it in the pic, but the top end has a slightly tighter spiral for the last 3 inches or so, but it is ever so slight.
The pic that shows the installed spring.... The starting point of the upper part of the spring is centered in the hole in the frame. Can you see how the lower part of the spring is 3" or so shy of the hole in the lower control arm? The tape on the control arm signify the end of the coil.
BBShark - Mine also will not stand by themselves. Yours have 7 full rings - mine have 6.8+- (about that short to lower A arm hole)
Smokin' - I removed the long bolt [of the spring compressor tool], but cannot turn the [lower part of the spring compressor sideways to enable me to get it out of the spring tower].
72... - I have A/C and will have to assess and get back with you on the springs - I may have to lower due to Alum Heads
Last edited by kaiserbud; Dec 15, 2006 at 10:32 PM. Reason: better worded statement to Smokin'
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Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,426
Likes: 1
From: VetteMOD
St. Jude Donor '05-'07
kaiserbud-I took a look at my springs and you are correct. The coil ends are aligned. However, when I look at my car (which is apart), I can see that the hole in the lower A-arm is in the 6 o'clock position and the hole in the upper spring pocket on the cross member is about 4 or 5 o'clock. This is looking down into the engine bay standing next to the car. Seems like your spring ends may stop short of the hole but maybe that will be OK.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,608
Likes: 3
From: TEXAS - you mean there are other states?
I think you are correct in that the lower hole is at 6 o'clock ish and the upper at 4-5. That being the case - then the ends should actually overlap - right?
I contacted the powder coater today - they are real nice - but they said no one else has mentioned receiveing he wrong springs. I told them that may have been like me - not installed them as of yet and therefore just don't know yet that they have the wrong springs.
.... that being said, I think (if I have the wrong springs) that I am going to have to buy new ones.... So - I will also search topis for springs for BB's w/ A/C and alum heads.
72 - wow - what a difference between your springs and moine. Now I do recall that I went with different springs from GM, but as I recall they had 3 styles/??? Stock, sitiffer and then F-41. I do not think I got F-41. And I don't think I went with teh regular springs..
Ah - the things that can go wrong.....
I contacted the powder coater today - they are real nice - but they said no one else has mentioned receiveing he wrong springs. I told them that may have been like me - not installed them as of yet and therefore just don't know yet that they have the wrong springs.
.... that being said, I think (if I have the wrong springs) that I am going to have to buy new ones....
So - I will also search topis for springs for BB's w/ A/C and alum heads.72 - wow - what a difference between your springs and moine. Now I do recall that I went with different springs from GM, but as I recall they had 3 styles/??? Stock, sitiffer and then F-41. I do not think I got F-41. And I don't think I went with teh regular springs..
Ah - the things that can go wrong.....
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,608
Likes: 3
From: TEXAS - you mean there are other states?
...more tidbits.....
the springs I currently have are .8250" w/powder coating - so I am thinking they are 13/16" (.8125"). I am searching the forum to identify these springs and check also into F41 coil information.
Also - WHAT IF someone cut their coils - how would they place them in the spring slots? align the top hole as directed in the AIM? What is the tendancy of a spring - to want to creap up or slide down?
the springs I currently have are .8250" w/powder coating - so I am thinking they are 13/16" (.8125"). I am searching the forum to identify these springs and check also into F41 coil information.
Also - WHAT IF someone cut their coils - how would they place them in the spring slots? align the top hole as directed in the AIM? What is the tendancy of a spring - to want to creap up or slide down?
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,426
Likes: 1
From: VetteMOD
St. Jude Donor '05-'07
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,608
Likes: 3
From: TEXAS - you mean there are other states?
BBShark - OH - I understand now - when you say 'these' springs - you meant your springs are F-41. BTW - the pic you had listed is now gone - can you email it to me and I will post it via my website for clarity of our posts.
Now - your springs (F41) meet end to end and have a full 7 springs. I KNOW I never cut mine. hmmmmm,...... ?
So - if your ends are the same, how does it fit into the spring cradles? which end gets lined up with the holes? I assume that under compression, the ends 'grow' and overlap each other more?
Now - your springs (F41) meet end to end and have a full 7 springs. I KNOW I never cut mine. hmmmmm,...... ?
So - if your ends are the same, how does it fit into the spring cradles? which end gets lined up with the holes? I assume that under compression, the ends 'grow' and overlap each other more?
