Need help on a part number for front coil springs to handle the weight of the 455 in my 64 cutlass convertible.
I am currently changing front drums to power discs, ball joints, control arm bushings, sway bar linkage and bushings etc. Previous owner used twist-in spring spreaders.
I want to go with a spring designed to handle the 455 weight and maintain stock ride height. Lots of options out there for GM A body Big block springs. Hoping to get feedback on best direction/brand to go with.
If anybody has a link or part number for front springs that they have used and are happy with please let know!
I also (down the road) plan to change the cast iron heads and intake to aluminum. Will this reduce enough weight where the stock springs will be adequate?
Thanks
Rob

 

Use Moog springs for a BB from 65-67.

 

A big block Olds only weighs about 50 lbs more than an small block. The original springs usually work fine and drop the front just a tad, for improved looks.

 

If you’re using an aluminum intake manifold instead of the factory iron one that 50 pound difference gets a lot smaller.

 

For another data point, a bare 455 block on WalMart's finest bathroom scale is exactly 200 lbs. A windowed 403 bare block on the same scale is 170 lbs. Figure a 330 block without windows or lightweighting is about halfway between the two.

 

​​​​​​ For only a 50 lb difference, why do they even offer big block springs? Will standard stock springs be fine? If it's only going to drop the front end about a half inch, I might just stick with new stock springs.... what's the biggest advantage to go into the big block springs from moog?

 

I think you may have some misconceptions. Have you started looking for springs yet ? Do you know who MOOG is ? What ride quality are you wanting ?

 

Moog is a manufacturer.. I'm just trying to get a nice running cruiser not a race car. I'm rebuilding the front end on my Oldsmobile and want to get the right springs in there based on my engine setup and trying to understand why and what the difference is between stock and big block springs. If there is a different reason other than the added weight of the big block, please express your thoughts and knowledge. Thanks

 

I am not finding these "Big block" front coil springs you are referring to.
Here is a link to MOOG online catalog to look at. Page 323 in the MOOG master catalog that covers 1964 F-85. You can also check other Cutlass sections for spring useage.

moog-master-catalog-coil-springs-f2925.pdf

 

when i put a 455 in my 65 cutlass i used stock 65 330 springs for a/c.as mentioned before if you are using an aluminum intake the difference is negligible

 

I have bbc in my car and it probably weighs around 650#'s, whereas the 330 weight was around 560#'s. I didn't change my springs initially and it did sit really low causing the 225/70-15's to rub on the rear of the fenderwell hitting a good dip in the road. I went with HD springs in the front and cargo coils in the back to lift the car to my liking. I used the Moog Spring Chart (below) and matched the dimensions of the stock springs compared to the load capacity for my choice. The cross reference can be sorted like a spreadsheet based on column descriptions.
Moog Coil Springs | Moog Suspension Parts (moog-suspension-parts.com)

 

Awesome! I greatly appreciate this information. This is what I was looking for on some specifications on why and what springs to use! Thank you

 

X2 Joe....