Projects Trying to "get low"

I have a question about my 1964 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88,and am pretty sure with all the knowledge in the forums I have searched on here, I may find my answer! I am wanting to lower my car about 1.5 inches front and rear,and would like to get new lowering springs but I cant seem to find anything for my car. I dont want to use those cheap clamps due to integrity issues,and quality of ride. I was able to find lowering springs for a cutl*** of the same year, but I am under the impression that due to the difference(Cutl*** being an "A BODY" and mine being a "B BODY") that the springs wont work. Is this true?
Does anyone know where to get lowering springs for my year and model front and rear? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

You can take a half of a coil out of the front and have the rear springs de-arched to match.

 

Do you mean cut the coils? Im not familiar with "de-arching"?
Sorry, Im pretty new to this.

 

Cut the coils in front and if it's a leaf spring car get lowering blocks

1 full cut coil usually equates to 2 inches down, and you can get blocks from your local parts store in 1 inch increments up to 3 inches.

Cheap and easy!

 

Only probelm with cutting the coil spring is the poor ride quality - much better gettign new springs - just aboit costly. Try www.jamcosuspension.com - make lowered springs for most cars, both coil and leaf - to 4 inch drop.

Lowering blocks will cause more spring wrapup on acceleration and braking...

Rich

 

you won't loose that much ride quality from 1/2 a coil!

 

+1 !
I cut 1 1/2 coils off when I lowered the front of my 'bird.
I have yet to "bottom out" and that's WITH the factory "snubbers" installed!

IF you have them cut,use a cut-off wheel or grinder.
While you have them out,take time to check the ball joints and bushings and replace if needed.

 

shouldnt that car have the same suspension as an impala the same year?.... i was thinking they were basiclly the same car.. but i wouldnt be scared to cut them

 

Go to your local auto parts store with a pen/pencil and paper and ask to see their NEW COIL SPRING CATALOG. Find your car and write down the numbers for the stock springs. Turn to the back of the book which has listing by type and find your part numbers(front and or rear). Check for another spring of the same style using the same wire size and spring rate but shorter in free height. If I remember right, every inch in height difference equals 2 inches in drop. BUT, don't get stupid and get something so short it won't even function 'cause if you've installed 'em, YOU OWN 'EM.

 

Thanks to everyone who replied! I know the floor panels from an Impala fit,a**** a few other things. I think Im gonna go with cutting off 1 full coil to achieve the stance Im looking for.Its not quite in my budget to purchase new custom springs after finding out what they want for them.
***NEW QUESTION***
When I cut the coil, do I have to do anything else other than just cut the coil? Can I still use the OEM shocks? I dont have leaf springs,so when I cut, how do I measure the ride height for the front and rear? The rear springs are shorter than the front. Does this make a difference when cutting 1 coil off all 4?

 

Just tried some different coils in the back of MY 64 Starfire. Ended up dropping it almost 4". Would not work with my current factory duel exhaust. You can try cutting the fronts, but as far as the rears, go to Jamco. They make the exact springs you need and they are not that much money.(around $200) Will give you a better ride overall. Available in many different sizes/drops. Be sure to check shock travel.
JT
p.s. saw this "Ragtop" for sale awhile back. Glad someone is doing something worthwhile with it. Keep us posted. Please don't put a SBC in ti!!

 

If I could get away with cutting the fronts and purchasing the rears, I could live with that.

Im going to keep the original 394 in it. It runs beautifully. I do want to put on a new dual quad intake and put some fresh carbs on it tho, but thats later down the road. For now, I just replaced gaskets,and fixed a few things under the hood. "Functionality before beauty...nobody looks cool pushing thier car"

 

GM big cars didn't start sharing suspensions until 1971.

 

Original 394 with 38,000 on it.
Before and after...

I'll post more pics as I make more progress.

 

Great looking car and the motor looks nice also.

I would say cut the springs and just cut 1/2 a coil at a time. Put it back together and see how you like it. It will take a little more time to do but in the end you will find out whats best. Plus its easier to take more out cuz once its cut you cant put it back!!!

 

Thanks Pothole! I have only had the car about 3 wks,so progress is minimal at the moment.