Topic: Ride heights from the assembly manual
in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling
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Former Member
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Willow Grove, PA - USA
Joined: 10/27/2006
Posts: 232
Vette(s): 1974 Stingray Coupe LS4 454 Dark Brown Metallic with Deluxe Saddle interior
ok gang, according to the 74 shop assembly manual, my ride height forward and aft is 1" lower than it should be. all this with the gas tank near empty and the engines top half off, rad out, no coolant... about 200 lbs less up front..... and shes still lower than should be
74stingray454 2007-01-12 20:18:11
The rear spring is a 7 leaf one which points to Gymkhana suspension....
so.. should I go ahead and get the replacement 7 spring one or go to the 9 leaf one to gian 1/4 more ride height according to the manual?
I want a little more ride height out of it.. so I am going to replace the front coils.... after 32 years of holding up a 454, I am guessing they are tired as well as the rear spring.
what would you guys do??? Keep the Gymkhana specs ????
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20225
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
You sure your floors not 1" too high? 
The 7 leaf springs were thicker, and had a higher rating than the 9 leafs. By design, the 7 leafers would be stiffer. I don't think ANY of the aftermarket springs are correct, in my opinion. They all sit too high, or they are too stiff, or both.(with the exception of the fiberglass ones)
The only place that offers the "correct" springs, with the correct ratings, is Eaton. Their springs look different, as they put "clamps" on them that the factory springs do not have, but other than that, they are the real replacements for stock springs.
Have you checked the rubber "doughnuts" on the rear spring hangers for being flat? That alone will lower the car about 1/2" per cushion. Being a biggy block, chances are the front springs have collapsed some over the years.
I'd suggest replacing the front and rear springs with stock replacements. You can get the adjustable spring bolts for the rear to tailor the ride height for your needs. Unless you plan on wringing it out quite a bit, I see no need for the super stiff springs. But...that's just me.
The 7 leaf springs were thicker, and had a higher rating than the 9 leafs. By design, the 7 leafers would be stiffer. I don't think ANY of the aftermarket springs are correct, in my opinion. They all sit too high, or they are too stiff, or both.(with the exception of the fiberglass ones)
The only place that offers the "correct" springs, with the correct ratings, is Eaton. Their springs look different, as they put "clamps" on them that the factory springs do not have, but other than that, they are the real replacements for stock springs.
Have you checked the rubber "doughnuts" on the rear spring hangers for being flat? That alone will lower the car about 1/2" per cushion. Being a biggy block, chances are the front springs have collapsed some over the years.
I'd suggest replacing the front and rear springs with stock replacements. You can get the adjustable spring bolts for the rear to tailor the ride height for your needs. Unless you plan on wringing it out quite a bit, I see no need for the super stiff springs. But...that's just me.
Joel Adams
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Former Member
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Willow Grove, PA - USA
Joined: 10/27/2006
Posts: 232
Vette(s): 1974 Stingray Coupe LS4 454 Dark Brown Metallic with Deluxe Saddle interior
Thanks for the input...
No, I dont plan of doing any road racing anytime with it, but I do appreciate a car that can handle a curvy twisting country road with ease....
Ill take a look at those doughnuts to see..... looking at the car from the rear, the spring thats in there now is almost flat across... guess thats a good sign it needs replaced?
thanks, Jim
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20225
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
The rear spring should be almost flat, but there should be some arch to it. That is, some arch downward at the outer ends, not upward!!
If the rear spring is totally flat across, then it has weakened, and lost it's tension. They can be re-arched, but it takes a skilled machinist to do it.
If the rear spring is totally flat across, then it has weakened, and lost it's tension. They can be re-arched, but it takes a skilled machinist to do it.
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
Former Member
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Willow Grove, PA - USA
Joined: 10/27/2006
Posts: 232
Vette(s): 1974 Stingray Coupe LS4 454 Dark Brown Metallic with Deluxe Saddle interior
I do have some arch, it just does not seem like much...... what else could cause the rear to sit a inch lower than the assm manual says it should be
in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling
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