62 Biscayne Coil Springs

Hey Guys,

I'm getting ready to start assembly on a big block Chevy to replace the small block currently in my 62 Biscayne (she's heavy and needs more oomph!)

I know I need to replace the front coil springs for the BBC. Right now I have some global west small block springs in there, which lower the front end another inch or so from stock. My goal is to end up with a super stock tribute/look, so I want to go higher, not lower. Stock suspension height or even maybe a little nose high. Looking at all the aftermarket options, I'm finding places like show-cars.com (who cater specifically to the 61-64 full size chevrolets) offer a "heavy duty" spring for the 348/409 cars, and also a "super heavy duty" that lists applications for a 348/409 or 9 passenger wagon.

Anyone have past experience with using super heavy duty springs? Is it overkill? Any other insights I should consider?

I do already have 409 springs in the rear. I lay up those to the super heavy duty wagon ones too.

Thanks,

Mark


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The front coils on this car came from Eaton Detroit Spring. I ordered standard items for small block passenger car. They raised the front a bit more than I care for and I had to put air shocks on the back to get the car level. I have not replaced the rear coils yet. I have about 1000 miles on the new springs and have seen no signs of settling. The wheels are 15 inch.

 

Here is a pic of my 61. I bought the heavy duty wagon springs and replaced the springs that were in it hoping to get it a little higher in the front. After letting the car down I was surprised to find it sat exactly the way it did before. Seems like the previous owner had already swapped to the heavier springs...

My brother is running a 454 in a 62 Biscayne with the wagon springs in the front and his car sits just like mine. We have talked about putting coil spring spacers under the springs to get a little more height in the front.

Oh and BTW - Your 62 looks good!

 

I have a '63 Belair with a 327. The upper control arm (bump stop) limits how much you can raise the front end on these cars. For the car to go up, the arm has to come down. In my experience, without a ball joint spacer, "stock" height is about all you can get out of these cars. Why? Even with my new, stock, light duty spring installed (and no upper bump stop installed yet) the upper control arm is planted firmly against the upper spring pocket structure (metal on metal). I had hopes of a slightly higher front (and back) stance. I purchased 3/8" spacers from Global West for the front. They did not raise the front of the car at all, because once the upper control arm "bottoms out", that's it. And like I said, the stock springs alone "bottoms out" the control arm. All the spacers did was make the front suspension extra stiff, not extra tall. They also forced the springs to arch, or curve a bit more than they do normally. This extra arch cause them to physically touch the shock body (not good). I don't understand Global West even selling these without saying you will need ball joint spacers to make them work??? And IMO, adding ball joint spacers would raise the car to a point of looking really stupid. I am surprised that any factory suspension system would actually somewhat "ride" on the upper bump stops, but that appears to be the case with these cars. I have new upper control arm bumpers that I plan to install, which will lower my car from this photo. They are 1.75"! thick. I thought about cutting 3/4" off the new stops, we'll see...
In closing, crawl under your car now and look at the upper control arm. Is there a bump stop in there? (Often times they are gone because they dry out and break off.) and or - how close is your upper control arm to the spring perch / pocket?
BTW - I installed 1" thick spacers on the rear, and I'm pleased with the results.

 

I had heavy duty TRW big block springs in my '65 Belair with a SBC in it.. looked like I had no engine in it and I had to cut them down. The HD springs may be the way to go. You can make up spacers (or buy) that go on top of the spring up in the pocket.

 

My 64 Biscayne, two inch drop spindles in front short coils in the back. I think it sits just right.

 

I bought 409 9 passenger station wagon with air coil springs for my 63 but I never put them in. Maybe I will this year.

 

Rubber air condition spacers will put your front end right where you want it without buying springs.