1970 Big Block Front Suspension Question

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Oct 19, 2012 | 08:50 AM

Lakecreature

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From: Hewitt New Jersey

1970 Big Block Front Suspension Question

While taking apart my front end of my '70 big block 4 speed, the coil springs were removed for clean-up. On the bottom were cushions or rubber seats. They looked old and looked to have been there originally (according to my mechanic). Called Paragon, Corvette Central, etc., and they don't have these 'seats', and some I talked to went on to say Vettes NEVER had them. Were they originally there from the factory? I am considering re-installing them. Don't want the front to come down any more. Car is slightly a tad (1") high in the back as it is. Were they possibly installed to 'bring up the front end' a while back, perhaps when the car had the Monroe shocks that were on there installed. I'm trying to make this car right, correct shochs, new bushings, bal joints, etc...and am considering just getting a new set of big block springs from Corvette America, and removing the cushions all together.

Any insight.

Thanks,
Dennis

Oct 19, 2012 | 09:04 AM

John 65

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Could be wrong, but I think they were added at one time to help give the nose some height. My 68 big block didnt have them. Break out your AIM and have a look to be sure. They would show up in there if they were originally part of the car, but I dont think so.

Oct 19, 2012 | 09:24 AM

Faster Rat

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My '69 BB did not have them. Are you sure you have the original springs?

Oct 19, 2012 | 11:41 AM

Lakecreature

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From: Hewitt New Jersey

Bb springs

Not sure if they are the original springs or not, but the car does have 60k miles so I have no idea why they would have changed them. I do know that the car was 'hopped up' a bit and had Monroe shocks installed at some point, and maybe the previous owner ordered 'new' springs, and got the ones for a small block(?). A little leary about ordering new springs because today you never know what you're gonna get and where things are made. I will probably go for them though, and start from the right place with no cushions.

Thanks,
Dennis

Oct 19, 2012 | 12:01 PM

blackbeauty74

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From: greenville sc

My 74 BB had those to. I think they were added at some point to raise the front.

Oct 19, 2012 | 12:19 PM

orourke

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From: Skiatook. Oklahoma.

My '70 big block/4 speed did not have them when I rebuilt the front suspension. The spring's had the paper tag's still attached and the ball joint's were riveted to the "A" arm's, so nothing had been changed but the shock's.

Last edited by orourke; Oct 19, 2012 at 12:23 PM.

Oct 19, 2012 | 12:31 PM

Faster Rat

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Don't have any OAL measurement for you, but maybe counting the coils and comparing the spacing in these pictures will help.

Oct 19, 2012 | 09:14 PM

TimAT

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I didn't take any pictures with them out, but here's one going back in. 69 BB, original springs. This was the firast time they'd been out. Blasted them and powdercoated.