First Generation Firebird-L Mailing List ......................................................................... Stu, S.Sterchi, Ronnie & Steve,
I appreciate all of your replies. The first time around, I had tightened the control arm bolts, and later I loosened them - actually dropped the one out of the frame when I put in the second spring, so I am sure that isn't the problem now. I (over) compensated for any uninstalled equipment by placing the two guys on the fenders -- to no avail. It looks like it is a common problem - Rats. I'm beginning to expect that what I order today will not be the same that were installed by the factory. Still thinking Clell in Colorado Springs -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of stu Sent: Saturday, February 02, 2008 3:40 PM To: First Generation Firebird-L Subject: Re: [FGF] 69 FB Conv - new springs - sits too high First Generation Firebird-L Mailing List ......................................................................... What a lot of people don't realize, and you won't get CI or any other vender to admit it, but Firebirds sat one inch lower than their Camaro counterpart when they came out in 1967. Remember the "Wide Tracking" ad campaign? The springs that you are buying from CI or any other source are actually made for the Camaro. Look up a spring for a Camaro in today's catalogs, same part number as Firebird. Unfortunately, I don't think anyone actually sells the correct springs. Perhaps a set of used Camaro springs would make it sit correct? Stu ----- Original Message ----- From: "Clell Rogers" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, February 02, 2008 1:47 PM Subject: [FGF] 69 FB Conv - new springs - sits too high First Generation Firebird-L Mailing List ......................................................................... Does anyone have any words of wisdom? There is a 4" gap between the top of the tire (F70) and the fender. I am doing an "off the frame" restoration of the bird and ordered new springs from Classic. (CS656 by Elgin) and tossed the old springs - dumb #1. Before tossing the original springs, though, I did compared the height, diameter of the coil and also the diameter of the spring material and they were identical. I am sure that the springs are aligned correctly in their seats top and bottom. I have rolled the car back and forth to help it settle (it's not drivable yet) and also have had two guys (330 lbs.) sit on the fenders and it only goes down ½ to 1 inch. The engine, trans and front bumper etc. are all installed. Items not installed are the shakers, fluids, seats, and a few other small items. Just sitting there the upper control arms are contacting the upper rubber bumpers no less. I contacted Classic who suggested to weigh the front of the car. Not being drivable yet, it would cost me $100 to rent scales, so hoping that maybe the PN was wrong I ordered another set of springs - dumb #2. I installed one of the new springs and it did not correct the problem. I talked with Mike (?) at Eaton Springs and he said that the free height should be 17" which it is, and the loaded height should be 11". The loaded height appears to be more like 13". I am a bit gun shy to order another set of springs from somewhere, because maybe I'm missing something really obvious? I realize I could cut of a coil of the spring, but I think it would still be very stiff and is not really correcting the problem. I might end up doing that, but want to pursue other aspects first. Perhaps this is a common problem with aftermarket springs? Is there anyone able to bail me out? Many thanks, Clell in Colorado Springs ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Submissions to Firebird-L: <[email protected]> Unsubscribe from Firebird-L: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Help: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/firebird/Firebird-L.html> Classifieds: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/ubb/> Owner Pictures: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/show/> Donations: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/store/cart.mv?999999> FGF Merchandise: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/store> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Submissions to Firebird-L: <[email protected]> Unsubscribe from Firebird-L: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Help: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/firebird/Firebird-L.html> Classifieds: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/ubb/> Owner Pictures: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/show/> Donations: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/store/cart.mv?999999> FGF Merchandise: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/store>
