SciVette

Hi all- I finally finished my rear rebuild- everything from a rebuilt diff by Tracdogg to composite spring, new QA1 shocks, and heim-end adjustable strut rods...

Gap between rear tire and top of wheel well- 1.5" (255/60R15 on Cragars that require a 1/2" spacer so they stick outside the wheel well a small amount). Is that too low?

1" from inner sidewall to tip of fiberglass spring- is that okay?

Spring bolt- 5" to ground; rim- 4.75" to ground... Yikes that's close.

Thoughts/opinions?

SciVette

Refreshed rearend-1980 Vette

bazza77

looks nice and clean under there , it does look like the half shafts are rising up from the diff , are those measurements from after driving it a little (letting it settle) ?

SciVette

Yes, the numbers and photo are after a short drive. If I run the nut further up the spring bolts it will lower my outer half shaft and raise my wheel well, correct?

Big2Bird

That exhaust sure is low to the ground.

bazza77

kind of ,raising the nut(s) will lift the rear of the whole car , that will bring the shafts closer to horizontal . which is where they are supposed to be .


so first time with a composite spring as well ? some say they make the car sit higher than a steel leaf type.

If that's the case I would definitely raise it to get the shafts level ( more clearance) , especially as you say your tyres sticks out

BTW what rating is the spring ?

SciVette

It's not quite as low as the picture angle makes it look, but it's on the never ending list… What really drives me crazy is that the driver side exhaust is too far toward the outer edge of the car. At full droop my nice new adjustable strut rod rests on it.

resdoggie

Side pipes will fix that!

SciVette

Spring is a VBP 330 pound. I'm more of a cruiser than a racer. I love the spring. With the slightly longer bolts that VBP supplies, there is no height change, and the ride is much improved… Of course new shocks probably also help. She now sounds and rides more like a Corvette and less like a squeaky horse-drawn carriage. I just have to dial in all my measurements as I replaced so many things at once…

SciVette

And the list gets longer...

lakerider57

I'll bet this is not going to work out too well....that is not much tolerance, 1/4"

SciVette

Yep, I'm thinking I'll be running the nylon locknut further up the bolt to adjust my ride height then cutting off 1/2 or so of extra for safety. Would a hand-held cutoff saw do the trick?

SciVette

And can I do this on the car or will the bolt heat up too much for the nylon lock nut? (I'd really rather not start taking things apart again at this point!)

bazza77

yeah you can do it on the car , if by hand held you mean hack saw but they are a pretty big bolt so I myself on my own car, would wind the nut up a bit more and take the time and do small amounts letting it cool off so no melting .

then onto the side pipes install

MCMLXIX

Move the thick rubber spring spacer block from on top of the spring to underneath the spring and the thin one to the top.
This will allow you to use a shorter spring bolt that will not drag on the ground if you get a flat.

wendellp601

^This.

And you don't have to kludge up some heat shielding to prevent cooking your new spring.

resdoggie

There are a lot more advantages to side pipes than disadvantages, me thinks.

SciVette

Ha... I'm feeling some peer pressure!