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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 118
Shade Tree Mechanic
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OP
Shade Tree Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 118 |
Guys,
This question relates to my other car (55 Pontiac Convertible). I am going to replace the rear leaf springs which have flattened out a bit. The car has a continetal kit that adds about 200 pounds to the rear of the car. Doesn't this added weight require something other than stock leaf springs (maybe another leaf)? What do 55 Chevy guys do when they have a continetnal kit?
Going to call Eaton Spring in Detroit as well as Jenson & Mitchell in NJ and see if they can provide any guidance.
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Willwood Engineering
Wilwood Engineering designs and manufactures high-performance disc brake systems.
Wilwood Engineering, Inc. - 4700 Calle Bolero - Camarillo, CA 93012 - (805) 388-1188
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 30,701 Likes: 141
ChatMaster - 25,000
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ChatMaster - 25,000
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 30,701 Likes: 141 |
I would add another leaf.Especially with the long trunk/overhang of the Pontiac Star Chief.May sit up a little higher for the first year or so but will settle to the correct heigth.
The 1955-57 Chevrolet hardtops had four leaf rear springs.They sagged after two years with no continetal kit...the convertibles had five leaf springs.Took three years to sag.Many of the Chevy folks install the 5 leaf springs in the hardtops to keep the rears "up".
Gene Schneider
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 437
Backyard Mechanic
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Backyard Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 437 |
Agree with Gene. My low mileage '55 post came with 4 leaf springs which were unsatisfactory with
more than two in the car. Before driving the car
to Rapid City in '96, I bought the five leaf type
and it made a huge positive difference. The car
just drove better. I also found some heavier, shocks to compensate for the stiffer springs..
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 4,951
ChatMaster - 4,000
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ChatMaster - 4,000
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 4,951 |
PDXjoe,
My '54 Bel Air Sport Coupe seems to ride just fine with two people and a fairly good load of luggage, etc. in the trunk.
I'm wondering if it has the four leaf springs, like your '55 did before you changed?? If so, should I be thinking about changing to five?? Especially if I'm going to drive it to CO next July.....
Bill.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 30,701 Likes: 141
ChatMaster - 25,000
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ChatMaster - 25,000
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 30,701 Likes: 141 |
Only the 1955-57 lighter models came with 4 leaf springs.They were four heavier leafs.
The standard 1949-54's had a 7 leaf spring and thinner leaves(or is that leafs?)...These models did not tend to sag as badly.
In 1957 they added more arch to the rear springs.The rear end sat up much higher when new so it took a little longer to sag.
Gene Schneider
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