Will 82 Spring fit 79?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 252
Likes: 3
From: Houston TX
St. Jude Donor '12
Will 82 Spring fit 79?
I need to know before I purchase it, I was wondering if a rear fiber glass spring off of an 82 would fit my 79??? The gentlemen seller the item told me that it look like it would fit the 78 he had but he is not sure, lemme know please! Thanks guys and gals!
Racer
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 388
Likes: 1
From: Bridgeport CT
Re: Will 82 Spring fit 79? (Neil350)
Sir,
Although the springs are “similar” in size, I believe you would need to change the differential rear cover, which would also entail changing the differential, which would also entail changing the outboard frame mounts for the differential and removing the cross member above the differential, etc, etc, etc. Much cheaper to get an aftermarket composite made for your model along with the necessary hardware. I seldom have aftermarket parts installed on my cars, however I purchased a 69 400 convertible that has a composite rear spring and it rides quite nicely even on the terrible roads in the NE.
Geoffrey Coenen
NCRS #2473
NCM Lifetime #105
Precision Valley Corvette Museum Charter Member #20 (I think)
Vettehead #18-1
Retired #1 56, 63, 67, 68, 68, 69, 75, 99 and I want more! :D
Although the springs are “similar” in size, I believe you would need to change the differential rear cover, which would also entail changing the differential, which would also entail changing the outboard frame mounts for the differential and removing the cross member above the differential, etc, etc, etc. Much cheaper to get an aftermarket composite made for your model along with the necessary hardware. I seldom have aftermarket parts installed on my cars, however I purchased a 69 400 convertible that has a composite rear spring and it rides quite nicely even on the terrible roads in the NE.
Geoffrey Coenen
NCRS #2473
NCM Lifetime #105
Precision Valley Corvette Museum Charter Member #20 (I think)
Vettehead #18-1
Retired #1 56, 63, 67, 68, 68, 69, 75, 99 and I want more! :D
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 2,386
Likes: 3
From: far, far away
Re: Will 82 Spring fit 79? (Neil350)
Nope. The center of the spring is completely different, due the the redesign of the entire differential assembly. The '80-'82's interchange, the '78-79's interchange, and the '63-'77's interchange. I don't know what is different between the early C3 and the '78-79, but it is different, for sure. That difference may be something you can modify your way around, but the '80-'82 setup is so much different that I can't imagine modifying the '82 spring to fit your '79 is feasible. Sorry! :seeya
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 931
Likes: 0
From: MI
Re: Will 82 Spring fit 79? (Neil350)
Neil350,
I installed an 81 glass spring on my 68 with a minor modification. You need the 82's rubber cushions and aluminum backing plates. Use the existing 79's mounting plate (the dog bone shape). The modification is to clear both side of the spring where the 4 mounting bolt contacts. Sand off about 1/8" on each side. Also, fabricate an aluminum heat shield to cover the glass spring from the exhaust pipes.
I like it a lot now with the glass spring and will do the same for the 69 soon!
I installed an 81 glass spring on my 68 with a minor modification. You need the 82's rubber cushions and aluminum backing plates. Use the existing 79's mounting plate (the dog bone shape). The modification is to clear both side of the spring where the 4 mounting bolt contacts. Sand off about 1/8" on each side. Also, fabricate an aluminum heat shield to cover the glass spring from the exhaust pipes.
I like it a lot now with the glass spring and will do the same for the 69 soon!
