torque?? rear spring clamp plate
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,417
Likes: 336
From: Texas
torque?? rear spring clamp plate
hey guys,i had some new magnaflows installed on the 79 L82 yesterday and the we noticed i had a bolt break off in the rear housing that holds the rear spring. the 4 bolts on the clamp plate, was able to get the piece of bolt out of the housing and installed 4 new grade 8 bolts. Does any one know the correct torque for these bolts. i have diffferent values in 2 of the books i have, one says 33 ftlbs. one says, 45, and ive read on the search option 70 ftlbs? or maybe i dont know what they;re calling the plate. (spring retainer) i dont want to break the tabs off the rear cover. thanks. 
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,851
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Here, this will help you. From the 79 assembly manual. Also, just a note: You do know not to torque the bolts down until you have the car sitting on the rear wheels. If you don't you will break bolts and/or the ears off the cover. - Willcox
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,417
Likes: 336
From: Texas
thanks, is that saying 35-50 ftlbs. in the lower left corner.?? also mine didnt have item #2, (spacer &fe7). i dont see how i could fit them in there. the bolts are right up against the spring.? thanks, wilcox. d.r.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,417
Likes: 336
From: Texas
thanks, i guess i dont need them then, mines a 9 leaf. i torqued the bolts with the car down on the wheels, but i only went to 33 ft lbs. i guess i need to go a little more. thanks all.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,851
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Yes, that is 35-50 and as Kapsa said, the spacers are for the FE7 spring cars. Also note that only the front two bolts used flat washers under the lock washer.
Willcox Inc.
Willcox Inc.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,000
Likes: 1
From: Minneapolis, Mn USA
I was able to torque mine down with using 2 hydraulic floor jacks on the ends of the steel spring. Jacked up on the spring so the car just lifted off the jack stands and torqued the spring.
The earlier Vettes all used a 2.25 inch wide spring with std as 9 leaf and HD FE7-F41 as 7 leaf.
In 78, a 2.5 inch wide spring was introduced to help with the weight gain the C3s had taken in. In the 78-79 housing set-up, spacers would be used in case if a 2.25 inch spring was used. I think the FE7 spring was 2.25 7 leaf with spacers, and non FE7 was 2.5 9 leaf.
80-82 all were 2.5 inch springs, regardless of FE7 or not. FE7 was a 9leaf steel and the std was a composite. A little trivia.
The earlier Vettes all used a 2.25 inch wide spring with std as 9 leaf and HD FE7-F41 as 7 leaf.
In 78, a 2.5 inch wide spring was introduced to help with the weight gain the C3s had taken in. In the 78-79 housing set-up, spacers would be used in case if a 2.25 inch spring was used. I think the FE7 spring was 2.25 7 leaf with spacers, and non FE7 was 2.5 9 leaf.
80-82 all were 2.5 inch springs, regardless of FE7 or not. FE7 was a 9leaf steel and the std was a composite. A little trivia.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,417
Likes: 336
From: Texas
thanks guys, for all the info and clearing up the confusion on the spacers. i think i'm going to torque 'em to 45 ftlbs. plus i need to pull the front bolts back out and install the flat washers.
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