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K
I'm going to have the front end rebuilt on my '79 this spring.
What springs should I use for my '79 L-48?
The 460 or 550 lbs?
This car is a "driver" which I use mostly on weekends and cruise nights.
No track time or slalom events.
P.S. I've decided to go with Van Steel as I've never heard any bad reviews on thier products.
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I'm running the Grand Touring Springs 460 lbs. I like them they handle very well.
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Lifetime Member
Send PMHOWELL, NJ - USA
Joined: 5/18/2004
Posts: 6812
Vette(s): 1979, Targa Blue (72 Color), Pace Car rear spoiler, L88 hood, Dark blue factory interior, 525HP 406, HD 700R4, 370 gears,Steeroids, composite rear spring, TT IIs wrapped in T/A Radials.
460 is fine and I believe rated for small blocks. I believe the higher weight is for big block applications.
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7
550's would be really harsh. Go with the 460's.
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Kevin,
Are you doing the work?


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Former Member
Send PMMounds View, MN - USA
Joined: 5/24/2007
Posts: 1034
Vette(s): 70 LT1 coupe, 69 350 HP coupe, 69 390HP 427 coupe, 71 LS5 convert, 85 coupe, 93 coupe
Van Steel is a great company. They carry quality products at fair prices. The only thing we have to offer is a front end rebuild kit with the A-arms already rebuilt and ready to bolt in. The whole kit is $539.00 exchange. Or, if you want to buy their rebuild kit, we will exchange our rebuilt A-arms for Your old A-arms and the ball joints and bushings from their kit. Our charge for that is $250.00.
If you are doing it yourself, be sure to put a chain through the coil spring before you release the ball joint so it can't fly out and hurt something or someone.
Have Fun
Larry
If you are doing it yourself, be sure to put a chain through the coil spring before you release the ball joint so it can't fly out and hurt something or someone.
Have Fun
Larry
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Standard Member
Send PMmacedon, NY - USA
Joined: 7/20/2006
Posts: 367
Vette(s): 68 COUPE 454
HAS MOTION HOOD SCOOP, REVERSED GILLS
ZL-1 FENDER FLARES AND
MOTION REAR SPOILER, LEMAN'S GAS CAP,
BUCKET HEADLIGHTS.
CAN-AM FRONT
RACING SPOILER. CHROME HOOKER HEADERS AND SIDE PIPES! 4 SPEED M20,
LOOKS FAST STANDING STILL !!
hi all,
since we're on the topic of front springs,
is there a trick to installing the front springs with the body off the car?
( i almost have a rolling chassis ). no engine yet on frame.
the internal spring compressor i rented from the local auto store is too long to work. i keep seeing that other people say thaqt the front end went together pretty easily. what am i doing wrong
.

thanks.
joe
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V
Former Member
Send PMMounds View, MN - USA
Joined: 5/24/2007
Posts: 1034
Vette(s): 70 LT1 coupe, 69 350 HP coupe, 69 390HP 427 coupe, 71 LS5 convert, 85 coupe, 93 coupe
Usually an interior compressor works. Sometimes you need to take it apart and put it together upside down, so the shaft sticks out the shock hole in the lower A-arm.
Or else get five heavy friends to sit on the frame while you use a floor jack.
Good luck
Larry
Or else get five heavy friends to sit on the frame while you use a floor jack.
Good luck
Larry
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Standard Member
Send PMmacedon, NY - USA
Joined: 7/20/2006
Posts: 367
Vette(s): 68 COUPE 454
HAS MOTION HOOD SCOOP, REVERSED GILLS
ZL-1 FENDER FLARES AND
MOTION REAR SPOILER, LEMAN'S GAS CAP,
BUCKET HEADLIGHTS.
CAN-AM FRONT
RACING SPOILER. CHROME HOOKER HEADERS AND SIDE PIPES! 4 SPEED M20,
LOOKS FAST STANDING STILL !!
thanks larry, i have tried it both ways, turning the jaws around. the shaft is too long and hits the upper a-arm. i was thinking of putting a piece of pipe over the shaft as a spacer from the end of the shaft (the part that has the hex) and the first jaw. that may keep it from extending up toward the upper a-arm. i'll try it tonight an see if it works.
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Lifetime Member
Moderator
Send PMModerator
Moses Lake, WA - USA
Joined: 4/16/2005
Posts: 2134
Vette(s): 1976 L48 4-spd, Mahogany Metalic exterior, Buckskin interior 350ci/350hp, 3rd owner, fiberglass spring, 255/50-16's Torq-Thrust II
Van Steel is an excellent supplier. I bought a front end rebuild kit 2 years ago from them. This a few weeks ago as I was getting the vette ready for the summer I found the right front wheel to have some play. A closer look showed the lower ball joint to have play in it. I only had about 4000 mi on the parts. I contacted Van Steel about the problem and a week later I had a new ball joint no questions asked
. That's the kind of supplier I look for over price. Service is what keeps me coming back not price.
I found the guys at Corvette Specialties to be knowledgeable at quick service
I run the 550 spring in the front and a fiberglass in the rear. The vette handles great.


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