Frame / Springs: Lark Front Spring Question. Is it Worn out?

[Dougie]

I'm dismantling my front suspension to put new bushings on my 62 Lark while I'm preparing for my Chevy V8 swap. I'm told the Stude 6 weighs the same or less than the Chevy V8 so I was planning to go with the stock 6 cylinder springs. The ride height looked fine before I removed the engine and front clip.

So I removed the driver's side upper and lower A arms and spring this weekend. First of all, that is the longest spring I have ever seen. It must have been compressed to 1/2 of it's length when installed. Second, I noticed that when removed from the car it has a pronounced curve set into it. Does this mean it's worn out? I don't know much about springs, but I have removed them before and have never seen this.

I read a post about using an 89 Camaro spring with 1 - 1/2 coils cut off. Any comments on this? Also, are there supposed to be any rubber isolators in the spring pockets, because mine didn't have any. Almost forgot to add I'm considering Delrin bushings. Thanks. I welcome any comments or suggestions regarding the springs, bushiings etc.

[bezhawk]

You can get standard duty V8 springs. They are available new from SI(and other vendors) There were isolater rubbers top and bottom, but were thin and most times people don't replace them.
Don't use cut down springs, you will not be happy with the ride and stiffness.
I have used delrin with good results. Pay close attention on placement of grease fittings as it's hard to get a gun on the fittings when the inner fenders are in the way.

[Eugene]

Dougie. I just installed the Delrin bushing and thay fit and work great, I am useing the oem springs 6 cyl. type, my springs did have a 1/2 of a spring isolator on the left side on top. I put it in the fix bin if it needs them the 1/2 has the # on it. For now I will run the Lark without them. I still have things tofinsh but it is close to a maden run. Been doing body work on her for the past 3 weeks Good luck my friend, God speed. Gene

[Alan]

Stude springs are curved like a Slinkey . They should be 14 1/2" free standing height and 9 1/2" to 10" working height. Flat ground on both ends. The stock Stude isolators are about 1/8" thick. Just enough to keep them from squeaking. And installed top and bottom. The main thing is with all the weight on the front end the lower a-arms should be parallel to the road. Anything else and it will eat up tires like you wouldn't believe.

[Eugene]

Alan. Good to know I will give it a look,Thanks.

[sals54]

None of my front springs are curved. I've replaced and cut front springs several times and never found a set to be curved.
BTW, if using a Ch*vy V8 in the car, I would use either the 6 springs, or cut down V8 springs.

[Dougie]

Thanks for the good information. I'll measure them tonight to see where I stand. Gene, glad to see you're getting close to getting it on the road. Be sure to update us when you take that first drive.

[Alan]

What I was talking about Sal is when you look underneath the car with weight on it the springs are forced into a ( ) shape by the spring pockets and lower a-arm.

[Tom Bredehoft]

forced into a ( ) shape

I don't know if this applies, but the springs are intended to be placed in the car with a particular mark on the bottom pointed toward the opposite spring. If this situation is not met, it's possible the springs could take on the ( ) shape.

[Alan]

Tom, Go out and look at your car. The pockets on the frame are angled up slightly, about 5 or 6 degrees. the lower arms have a pocket that is down a few degrees. The pockets are not inline with each other. The drivers side spring will look like ).

[Tom Bredehoft]

Alan, you're probably right. Certain physical problems (age related) keep me from jumping up, backing the car out of the garage, and squatting down and looking. I'll take your word for it.

[Dougie]

Stude springs are curved like a Slinkey . They should be 14 1/2" free standing height and 9 1/2" to 10" working height. Flat ground on both ends. The stock Stude isolators are about 1/8" thick. Just enough to keep them from squeaking. And installed top and bottom. The main thing is with all the weight on the front end the lower a-arms should be parallel to the road. Anything else and it will eat up tires like you wouldn't believe.

Alan, I just checked my spring and the free standing height is 17 1/2", not 14 1/2". Can you check your source again? My car sat at a normal height. By the way, now that its been out of the car for a few days since I looked at it, it doesn't have a bend in it any more.

[Dougie]

Just bouncing this back to the top. Does it seem odd that my spring measures 17 1/2"? I triple checked it. I saw a refrence elsewhere to two diffrent springs, with the longer "soft" spring being 16 1/2", but no mention of 17 1/2". Just trying to get some feedback before i start putting things back together. Thanks!

[Alan]

A spring is a spring. Take the load off it and it straightens right back up. What is the number stamped on the spring ends? What is the diameter of the spring wire? How many coils are in the spring? If you were around here I could put on my spring tester and check the LBS Inch. I have seen all kinds of wild spring combos. come out of cars. If you could find a shop with a spring tester near you that does Circle Track cars that would be nice. Think what the poor character that gets one of my old race cars with the modified Morroso trick springs will think.