Coil Spring Replacement
September 10th, 2016, 10:21 AM
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 918
Coil Spring Replacement
I am getting ready to re-assemble my front suspension on my 68 Cutlass Convert. restoration. I am installing a drivetrain from a 68 442 . What coil springs should i use to keep the original ride height.
thanks
Bruce
thanks
Bruce
September 25th, 2016, 05:38 PM
#2
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Florida 33774
Posts: 208
What engine and trans did you start with? Do the drivetrains weigh the same? If the cars are about the same weight, use the springs from your car. Even if the cars are about 100 lbs. different, you should not notice the difference.
September 25th, 2016, 07:32 PM
#3
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 13,732
I used Moog 5536 front springs on my car and they are great. The ride height is the same as the original springs but with the higher spring rate the handling is improved but the ride is still very comfortable.
Here's a pic of how the car sits with 245-60-15 tires all around:
1971convertible15x7SSIIIc_zps66f89e96.jpg
Here's some front spring info that I archived many years ago prior to choosing the 5536 springs:
Front spring info from a previous post:
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...reply&p=835767
Here's a pic of how the car sits with 245-60-15 tires all around:
1971convertible15x7SSIIIc_zps66f89e96.jpg
Here's some front spring info that I archived many years ago prior to choosing the 5536 springs:
Front spring info from a previous post:
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...reply&p=835767
My car has Moog 5536 in front and PST "442" springs in back (I think they are equivalent to Moog 5409s).
Here's some spring info I archived a while back:
> 5390 small block - no AC
> wire diameter = 0.650"
> load height = 11.000"
> load = 1952 pounds
> rate per inch = 336 pounds
> free height = 16.808"
>
> 5382 big block - no AC, small block - AC
> wire diameter = 0.660"
> load height = 11.000"
> load = 2066 pounds
> rate per inch = 360 pounds
> free height = 16.724"
>
> 5400 big block - AC
> wire diameter = 0.660"
> load height = 11.000"
> load = 2167 pounds
> rate per inch = 360 pounds
> free height = 17.004"
>
> 5536 442 small block - AC - heavy duty, 442 big block - no AC - heavy duty
> wire diameter = 0.690"
> load height = 11.000"
> load = 1984 pounds
> rate per inch = 488 pounds
> free height = 15.063"
>
> 5450 small block - AC - heavy duty, big block - no AC - heavy duty, -442 big block - AC - heavy duty
> wire diameter = 0.690"
> load height = 12.000"
> load = 1642 pounds
> rate per inch = 454 pounds
> free height = 15.616"
Here's some spring info I archived a while back:
> 5390 small block - no AC
> wire diameter = 0.650"
> load height = 11.000"
> load = 1952 pounds
> rate per inch = 336 pounds
> free height = 16.808"
>
> 5382 big block - no AC, small block - AC
> wire diameter = 0.660"
> load height = 11.000"
> load = 2066 pounds
> rate per inch = 360 pounds
> free height = 16.724"
>
> 5400 big block - AC
> wire diameter = 0.660"
> load height = 11.000"
> load = 2167 pounds
> rate per inch = 360 pounds
> free height = 17.004"
>
> 5536 442 small block - AC - heavy duty, 442 big block - no AC - heavy duty
> wire diameter = 0.690"
> load height = 11.000"
> load = 1984 pounds
> rate per inch = 488 pounds
> free height = 15.063"
>
> 5450 small block - AC - heavy duty, big block - no AC - heavy duty, -442 big block - AC - heavy duty
> wire diameter = 0.690"
> load height = 12.000"
> load = 1642 pounds
> rate per inch = 454 pounds
> free height = 15.616"
Last edited by Fun71; September 25th, 2016 at 07:40 PM.
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