Front spring advice needed

[EZ Cool]

I have been building some what of a 65 GS clone. Really more of a mild custom.  Its a Skylark Sport Coupe that started out with a 300 and now has a 401 and TH400.

 The old springs are sagging too much to my liking and I have a nice set of 15" rallys with red line 225 70's I want to keep on it. Right now i have tire rub while turning.

I searched past threads and see where Moog 6033 has been used but according to Moog they are rear springs for a 59-64 Chevy and I cant find the spring rate and length specs on these.

Speedway has a a spring that they show to be for 64 to 72 big block A body with a 327# spring rate and 18" free height. On one of the reviews of these springs a guy said that it raised the front of his 65 GS 455 4" and another guy said they raised his 67 Cutlass just right.

The last thing I want to do is buy a spring that raises it too high then end up cutting it which may stiffen the ride too much. I want this car to have a decent ride since its the wife's car and she will be hauling grandkids around in it.

I have found this site to have a wealth of knowledge and any advise and recommendations will be greatly appreciated.

[EZ Cool]

After more research if found the Moog 6033 to have a 369# spring rate and free height of 16.4"

[cwmcobra]

I suggest you call Laura at Springsnthings.com.  She's been very helpful for many of us here and can provide custom spring heights and rates if you need them.  Highly recommended for top notch customer service.

 

Chuck

[GS66]

X2 for contacting Laura. She will have what you need even if it?s a custom height.

[dsags]

And the prices are good too.

Dan

[yachtsmanbill]

Hey Dan... The springs I got from you are perfect and give a great ride with the 455 and 15" tires. The OP might like the info if you still have it.
Happy New Year!! Bill in TR

[EZ Cool]

Thanks for the advice. I will contact Laura.

[WkillGS]

I've done extensive research on springs for my 66's....the Moog 6033 are a match for the 1966 GS front spring. The 65 GS used a slightly stiffer spring.
I used 6197 for the rear, a bit taller than stock. Tire size affects the look as well. I'm running 255/60-15 rear and 236/60-15 front. The 205/70-15 you will be using are about the same height as the 235/60's.
Here's a pic of my red 66 with the above combo.
But others here have used ESPO/SpringsandThings and have been pleased with the result. I don't believe anyone has posted the spring specs for what they received. That would be helpful for comparison to what I'm using.

[EZ Cool]

Laura told me their GS springs have a rate of 314.5# and the free height is 17.38”.

[GS66]

Laura also carries Moog items. The front end rebuild parts I ordered from ESPO were Moog.

[Rollaround]

X3 with Laura, if you've talked with her, you know that already.  Laura outfitted two 65s for me, she's great!  I was also working with ride height, we worked out a deal. Save the original shipping box and if I wasn't satisfied with the ride height send them back and try another spring but she was spot on the first time.   

[WkillGS]

Laura told me their GS springs have a rate of 314.5# and the free height is 17.38”.

That's a lot different from the stock spring but everyone here has been happy with them.
These are the stock front spring specs:

Front: pn 391100-1
Wire Dia: 0.6691" (theoretical. actual dia may vary)
Free Length: 15.57"(R), 15.81"(L)
Load Height= 11.4"
Load Weight= 1725- 1875 lbs
Rate: 420 lbs/inch

The 66 GS uses a softer spring:
Front:
0.650" wire dia
16.2" to 16.6" free length
380 lbs/inch rate

[jmos4]

Hi all,

Not much to add, just curious isn't there slightly higher spring rate for AC cars, as years ago I went thru a few different springs on a 64 and a 65 Cutlass line I used AC springs to get it to sit higher due to tire size and wheel wheels shape

Regards,

[cwmcobra]

You are correct Jim.  When I ordered my springs from ESPO, Laura asked if the car had AC or not.  And she confirmed that they put slightly firmer springs in the AC cars to offset the additional weight up front.  Since I am retrofitting factory AC into my restoration, I ordered the heavier front springs.

Chuck

[GS66]

I did the same thing as Chuck.