'73 big block front coil spring question
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 12
Likes: 3
From: SE Arizona
'73 big block front coil spring question
So I am gutting the front end, one side gutted and have a question about the coil springs. The spring I took out has a tag on it, amazingly enough, and it is green with ME on it. Out of the car, relaxed length is about 16"
The springs I bought to install, AC Delco's from Rock Auto are a shade over 13" long out of the box.
Car is a big block, no A/C.
Are my replacement springs gonna work or do I need to return and buy something else? I can find no reference to the ME springs.
Thanks guys
The springs I bought to install, AC Delco's from Rock Auto are a shade over 13" long out of the box.
Car is a big block, no A/C.
Are my replacement springs gonna work or do I need to return and buy something else? I can find no reference to the ME springs.
Thanks guys
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 11,183
Likes: 3,335
From: North of Toronto - Ontario
Check to see if they are all coiled basically the same distance apart. I believe they will be and they are a constant rate spring rather than the original progressive which had a couple of coils that were tighter (looser) than the rest. That's what makes them a little shorter than the progressive ones.
I think they are really close to the moog 5762 when I was looking to change mine (ended up just shortening mine)
M
I think they are really close to the moog 5762 when I was looking to change mine (ended up just shortening mine)
M
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,094
Likes: 298
From: Midlothian VA
1974 Front sprung weight for ME tag is 803-838 pt#331318
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 195
Likes: 37
From: Poway CA
I replace my BB springs and they were shorter which made for an easier install and they work great. I wasn't sure if they would make it noticeably lower in the front but it did not. I just looked at my original springs, and, what do you know, they are progressive, coils getting closer together along the length. I had to look them up and see why. I learned something else new from this forum 
again!
again!
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 12
Likes: 3
From: SE Arizona
Check to see if they are all coiled basically the same distance apart. I believe they will be and they are a constant rate spring rather than the original progressive which had a couple of coils that were tighter (looser) than the rest. That's what makes them a little shorter than the progressive ones.
I think they are really close to the moog 5762 when I was looking to change mine (ended up just shortening mine)
M
I think they are really close to the moog 5762 when I was looking to change mine (ended up just shortening mine)
M
Safety Car
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 4,752
Likes: 1,642
From: Fairfax Virginia
I have a set of 550 lb springs made for a C3 Big Block without A/C that I bought from VBP many years ago and I still have not installed them. I was told that this was the right spring for a 1968 with it's 427.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 195
Likes: 37
From: Poway CA
The springs I now have are the non progressive Moog 5762's which are 13.13" inches in height, rated at 474 lbs/in. Mid America sells the progressive springs for $169 a pair- these are 16" height, 10 coils, 5" diameter, .620" wire diameter, and they say they are rated at 475 in/lb +/– 10% . These are for manuals with BB with or without AC, or for autos without AC. They give a comparable GM part # of 331318 and even mention to use the spring tag "EA" . Seems pretty reasonable. I replaced mine because they were about 1/2" shorter than they used to be but it had been 46 years. I think we all start sagging a bit by then. I think they were actually still working ok but the car did lean slightly before replacing them.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 4,752
Likes: 1,642
From: Fairfax Virginia
I would much rather have a 475 lb spring over a 550 lb spring on the front end of my 1968 C3 with BB and manual transmission. The polyurethane bushing and other suspension modifications have made this C3 a bit rough with it's original springs. The guys at VBP suggested it was the replacement for an original C3 but I guess they were incorrect. Maybe for auto-crossing or racing you might want 550 lb. springs.
I am getting older and my bones don't care for a jarring ride anymore. Give me comfort over performance at this point.
I am getting older and my bones don't care for a jarring ride anymore. Give me comfort over performance at this point.
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Racer
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 270
Likes: 153
From: Alexandria VA
An aluminum big block is very close to the weight of a small block. I put a 69 ZL-1 in my 70 LT-1' and there was no obvious difference in ride height. Maybe your small block springs are not stock ride height OE.