Big Daddy Spo

Hello,
I searched through the threads but couldn't find much on the early Cutlass and 442 rear springs. I have a 65 442 that looks like the rear springs have sagged quite a bit. I have a 64 Cutlass that I changed the rear to lowered springs. I figured I could put the coils out of the 64 into the rear of the 65? I couldn't get them to fit as they were too tall. I know these were stock factory springs. Did the 442 model in 1965 use a different spring then the standard Cutlass? Thanks for the help
Steve

oldcutlass

Did you disconnect the shocks?

joe_padavano

^^^This.

Once you unbolt the bottom of the rear shocks, the rear axle drops down far enough to easily swap the springs.

Big Daddy Spo

Yes. I was replacing the rear shocks when I remembered I had the rear coils from my 64. Figured I would put them in to see if they would raise the car a little. Supported the car by the rear frame section and worked the Axel housing to its lowest position, side to side. I still couldn't get them up into the mounts. I probably had a good 12-14" of travel up and down. After not being able to get them installed, I matched the ones I took out to the original 64 springs. The 64 springs were about a 1 1/2" taller than the 65 442 springs I took out. That is why I posted the question if they were different between the years.
Thanks

oldcutlass

Do you have a rear stabilizer that may be keeping the rear from dropping? The springs should interchange.

Big Daddy Spo

Yes. it does have the factory rear sway bar. Never thought that that would keep the housing from dropping far enough. I will take a look when I crawl under there again. Thanks for the info that they are interchangeable, didn't think they would have two different springs, but you never know.
Steve

oldcutlass

It probably will keep the rear from twisting enough to get the springs in.

Yellowstatue

Use a pry bar or two to get the spring to slip into place.

Fun71

There is more than likely a difference in spring rate. I replaced my 40 year old, sagging front springs with a set of 5536 springs for 442 applications and the old springs were about 2" taller than the new springs, even though the ride height was the same with both sets of springs.

https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...do-i-need.html

Big Daddy Spo

Thanks for all the info. Will get under there this weekend and see how it goes

gmiles

Late reply...IIRC the 64 has a flat perch that the rear coil springs fit on and the 65 442 has a pedestal rising from the rear axle. Will look at my cars tomorrow and check...if it's not raining.

when i replaced the rear springs in my 64, i had to really wrench the springs into place even after disconnecting the shocks.