Technical Is this ‘63 Impala too high

Hey guys I just put a new front suspension and bushings, tie rods, etc.. I took it to get it aligned and the shop said the coils were too tall. I said just do the alignment the way it is.
From these photos do you guys think it’s too high? I’m thinking of cutting off 1 coil.
Thanks

 

Yes, too high. But let it settle for awhile, then take another look.

 

Is the engine in it?

 

That would be a YES!

 

Yes it is if the engine is still under the hood. I think it has the wrong coil springs.

 

Depends on what era you are going for, there was a time when that look was preferred!

 

63 brochure pics.

 

If it just had the front end worked on, I'd say it was tightened up before being set on the ground and the rubber is all bound up.


-rick

 

It has the engine. It was tightened on the ground. I bought the coils off rock auto for this year and model. They’re moog spring coils. I compared them to the stock ones and they were the same height. It did sit high before so I don’t know. I’m not spend more money for springs since I’ve got a cut off wheel and can remove a coil for a 2” drop.

 

Don't cut the springs...just put a bigger motor in it

 

Half a coil at a time... sneak up on it

 

Yep, put some miles on them before cutting any more, they may settle some.

 

It’s been a month or more since I had the new suspension. It was the alignment that just got done

 

This is going to sound dumb but is there a top or bottom on the springs? Both ends look identical to me.

 

My car also has 15” wheels and 70 series tires

 

I had some Moog coil springs for a Vette and the ends were a quarter turn out so that they didn't sit properly in the seats. The seats on the vette are shaped to fit the ends of the coil. The springs don't have flat ends. I'm not sure if I'm explaining it very well but it meant they were sitting on the lump of the seat. It was obvious the end of the coil wasn't in the same place when I compared them with the original one. Fixed by cutting 1/4 turn off.

 

"springs for year and model"........I'm not familiar with Chevies, but here's some information that pertains to '57 Fords, which may or may not be relevant to your car. In '57 Ford used 9 (maybe 11??)different coil springs depending on accessories/drivetrain /model because they wanted all of their models to have the same ride height. Places like Eaton Detroit Springs have only 4 different coil springs available, so, how closely can 4 replace 11? Those 4 may or may not give a suitable ride height. Newer engines, like mine, may be aluminum, aluminum block, heads, intake, auto tranny case, etc, much lighter than even the original 6, plus weight distribution will make a difference also. Your current engine weight compared to original makes a big difference.
With Ford front suspension, what you remove in height (not coils) will be approximately twice that drop at the wheel. (on mine cutting 1 1/4" off total height resulted in 2 1/2" drop.
As mentioned previously, the removal should be calculated in inches, not coils.
Coil springs normally sit in a pocket to stop their radial rotation, which is part of a spring's strength. On mine, the top of the spring is flat, but the bottom where it nests into the mentioned pocket is not

 

All depends on the look you are going for, but I would cut a coil or two for my taste.

 

I'm not sure why this is a problem.

 

Sets like station wagon springs

 

No there isn't. Just make sure the end of the spring sits on the coil-stops. Lower control arms and upper frame hats.

You didn't order big block springs did you?

Car is looking good man.

 

Thanks but it sits so high thieves could steal the catalytic converter.

 

I like it. You need some fender well headers and some slicks in the back.

 

This one is high

 

lol. I’ll take the under on it having a catalytic converter

Springs won’t settle with a parked car, now that tge front end is aligned, put some miles on it. I’m sure it’ll settle some.

 

A go-cart is too high for your taste!

 

High has 2 meanings with that car