I am lloking for springs for my 65 Special. I want a slight rake to the stance where the rear end sits up a bit and I don't want to use blocks or air shocks. I want to run KYB gas a just shocks and was wondering what spring to run. It will be a stock boxed control arm setup with sway bar and a sbb up front. I was figuring v8 springs w/o ac for the front. I thought I heard that rear wagon springs would do the job? Thanks again guys.
i replaced all 4 of mine with kanters springs for a 300 w/ac(which i dont have)to raise it a bit.its surprising what a difference new springs make over the 40+ yr old ones.i also installed the kyb's,boxed,sway.ill back it out of the garage & take a pic for you:TU:
i dont know why it looks jacked up in front,i thought my driveway was fairly flat.it actually sits quite level.before the new springs & shocks the bottom of the front wheelwells were allmost even with the top of the tire,so i gained a bit of highth.but i wanted it to handle the twisties,if it were higher in the rear i was afraid it would dive in the corners.not what your looking for i'm sure,but you get an idea of what stock a/c sbb springs look like.i would think the rear wagon springs would be a bit stiff for ride/handlingo No:
Front looks good, stock sbb with ac. I'd like the rear a bit higher for the old school look, the search continues, anybody else with suggestions?
Mine with new springs all around, non AC in the front, sits slightly low in the rear. Hard to tell in the avatar but I'll try and post a better photo later. Frank
You could try using 65 station wagon coils in the rear with the AC coils in the front. No pictures to illustrate though.
Thats what I was thinking. What kind of springs are you running, I think with larger tires in the rear yours would be what I'm looking for.
i have a set off a 64 wildcat they were bought new in 2002 if they will fit (back springs only) scott
There is a heavy-duty spring , Moog #6197, that may raise it a bit over stock. Next step up would be springs for the Special station wagon. Then the heaviest would be springs for the Sportwagon, which will be too big for a regular Skyark. I'll have to look up the other spring numbers and get back to you.
Is that the heavy duty spring listed with most vendors? The parts place said that they would not lift the back. I'm only looking for a little lift as my rear tires will be taller than the front. I think I'll try the HD version and see how it goes.
According to an old Moog catalog, listed for 65-66 Buick, listed from light-to-heavier: 5231, 5237 -standard Skylark spring 6197, HD for Chevelle 5235 - station wagon, 2 seat 5233 - Sportwagon, (with roof glass) These part numbers are good for Moog and TRW. Should cost around $60. I put the station wagon 5235's in my GS years ago, but I cut part of a coil off, as it sat too high. They might work for you, but be prepared to cut them down. I went with the 6197 for my '66 Special with 300. With worn-out GS springs on the front, it sits very nicely, slightly high, for the 'old school' look. I'd recommend you go with them, and if you want it higher, add a spacer between the rear and the spring for another inch or so. These will ride much better than still station wagon springs. I recommend you call ESPO spring in Pa. 1800-903-9019/ 570-672-9413. They are a supplier, and the rep I spoke to was pretty sharp. They might be able to give you exact ride height calulations. Their prices are competive with the best, like rockauto.com. :TU: