imariver

My 73 L-48 sits high in the front and I would like to lower it just a bit for a better stance. Does anyone have any suggestions for manufactures that specialize in custom springs? The springs in the car now are OEM.

Thanks. . . . .

Alan 71

Hi I,
What do you mean by "OEM springs"?
Are you certain the current springs are properly 'seated' in the upper frame pocket and in the lower a-arm pocket?
Regards,
Alan

doorgunner

Have you considered that aftermarket shorter coil springs will make the car "ride" stiffer/rougher? I cut two coils off the "closely-wound end" and ground the "new end" to fit in the "pocket" correctly....it took about 20 minutes per spring to modify them. The "ride quality" stayed basically the same.

The above is not recommended, but it worked for me.

Kid Vette

I'd cut the coils if all you want to do is lower it.

imariver

The springs are the original springs that came with the car, from the factory. And I'm positive that the springs are sitting in the proper orientation.
The general consensus is to cut the springs, but I'm still curious to see if there are any "Aftermarket" springs out there.
Steve

imariver

So, after cutting two coils off, how much did this lower the front? One, two inches??

car junkie

how about a photo. If everything is stock, are you saying all stock 73's with a 350 look high in front or just yours? Lower than stock cars look nice but if you actually drive the car, every protrusion and curb rise in the road becomes a major concern.

Alan 71

Hi,
The original tire for 73, G70-15, was approximately 27.4" tall.
The typical front ride height dimension, 'P', at the center of the wheel arch was about 27.4".
Might lowering the ride height 2" cause some rubbing problems with the wheels turned?
Regards,
Alan

doorgunner

NOTES: Those are "70" series tires which are "taller" and "fill" the wheel wells much more than 60 series. IF you do not feel comfortable doing this modification, it may be better to buy shorter springs and have a shop install them, but there is no guarantee of the look that you want.

It lowered about 2 inches.....BUT....I had to make sure the spring ends were seated in the upper and lower control arm "pockets" correctly/then I drove the car on different roads for about 15 minutes so the vibration would "settle" the suspension. IF you do not do the two things above, the front of the car will still "sit high" after you remove the jack stands.

(You cannot cut 1/4 or 1/2 or 3/4 of a coil off because the spring will "****" to one side in the pockets/a complete coil must be removed)

Before...............





I originally cut off one coil on each spring/reinstalled/test drove the car/but it still sat too high...so I removed the springs and cut the second coil off each spring (I took a pic of only one spring for reference).......






"Indexing the spring into the upper pocket (ignore the temporary alignment bolt).........





With the doors and hood installed the "gap" is now about 5/8" from the top of the tire to the "lip" of the fender.

After driving the car a few days I lowered the rear of the car.




Alan...good point ..I have had no problems with rubbing tire/fender or frame with 225/70/15 tires. I could see how wider tires would definitely rub the fender when turning into curbed driveways, though.

resdoggie

What is your front tire size? I had 235/60-15 at one time and the car sat "higher".

imariver

Tire size is P225/70R15, From the deck to the apex of the fender well is almost 28-5/8"

Alan 71

Hi I,
Yikes! Is the engine in the car?
I agree that in the photo the car has an 'odd' stance.

Any chance of seeing a photo of the car with the front wheels straight and some light in the area of the wheel well so the top of the tire can be seen?

What sort of work has been done to the front suspension recently or over the years. When the spring was installed were the 'close' coils up?
When the upper a-arm bushing bolts were torqued was the weight of the car on the suspension?

What is the dimension at the rear wheel?
Are you CERTAIN those aren't 225-60-15 tires? I'm just not seeing enough sidewall to make me think 225-70.

???
Regards,
Alan

00Nassau

I am doing a frame-off NCRS restoration on my 70 BB convertible and have the front suspension ready to install the coil springs.

What was the original indexing of the coil spring in the upper pocket from the factory?

Where should the upper end of the spring be in respect to the hole in the upper pocket?

imariver

Positive that tires are 70's and that the springs are in their correct orientation.

Alan 71

Hi 0N,
The end of the coil should be within .38" +- .12" from the stop in the pocket. UPC 3, Sheet A4.
This means you should be able to see the cut end of the spring through the observation hole.
Regards,
Alam

Don Rickles

Simple, throw a Big Block in the bad boy!

ddawson

That's a tough one. You could take one coil off to check but if you want more you have to take the whole damn think apart again.

You said it's 28 5/8 from floor to fender?

I'd come help you but that's a small ride to your place.

00Nassau

Thank you very much Alan.

doorgunner

Like Alan said...."Something is UP with that car. I have 70 series at 28.5 fender lip heigth with 5/8" clearance from tire to lip.

imariver

Thanks to all for your input on this issue, looks like I'm going to have to do some investigating.

BTW is there a part # stamped anywhere on the springs? (if they were the original ones from the factory)