I need to replace the original springs on my 72. Had the Inline 6, now has a 302, they are the original springs and are spongy and soft as hell, the car has no cornering ability at all and is all over the place when I drive. Stance looks nice now but ill take practicality over looks. My question is, will a quality set of springs make a huge difference in ride quality and height or will it still be a hair higher and still feel soft and sloppy? Looked into some Moog 8306 springs as factory replacements. Most of the rest of the small components have been replaced and i have granada front discs installed. Once I get the front decent I will replace the rear leafs and get rid of the shackles, trying to get it done a little at a time. any help would greatly appreciated.
Stance looks nice in the front. The bad news about new springs is that it is a crap shoot. New springs will firm up the ride, but you will likely have to cut some coils out to get it back to looking like this again. Perhaps several attempts. It stinks, but a lot of us have gone through it. Use the search function as there are a lot of threads on this subject.
I like that stance! Before going to all the trouble of changing springs, I would put in some new shocks (stiff gas charged ones like KYB's) New shocks can make a huge difference in handling. Check the anti-roll bar (sway bar) too. Worn bushings and end links will flex horribly and cause body roll. Springs support weight and the rest of the stuff makes the handling.
I would agree with what Eric said. It would be easier, and possibly more effective, to first upgrade the anti sway bar and possibly shocks as well to see how it affects the cornering. I had a similar experience with a Mustang. The bar really made a huge difference in the cornering, the stiffer springs made an insignificant difference in cornering but made the ride extremely harsh. Nice looking vehicle there.
New V-8 springs will definitely ride stiffer and not be spongy. You will have to cut them -- at least one full coil (maybe more) or the headlights will be shining up at the trees. Mono-tube racing shocks would dampen the sponginess with the existing springs. They're not cheap. 'Car looks good. Are those 18-inch wheels? You should lose those rear shackles. Your rear springs have no arch, and they look kind'a not very good hanging down like that.
After doing front end did you get a alignment done? If it's off it can handle bad and be all over the road.
I agree on better shocks, replace worn parts and alignment if no already done. Most 6 cyl springs have more spring rate than V8 springs. Engine location with a Six has more weight sitting on the front axle. A V8 will sit farther in the engine bay taking weight with it. If your V8 has aluminium intake and tube headers then it weighs less than a 6 cylinder. 6 cyl has 7 main bearings and more webbing than the 5 in the V8. This is why 6 springs wear out faster than V8 springs.
I don't think that applies with Mavericks. The 250 and 302 had the same springs. I'm pretty sure the 170 and 200 were lighter. Now Chevy pickup trucks are a different story; the 250 I-six was heavier than a 305 V-8.
At least in my '70, the original 6-cylinder front sway bar was a good bit smaller than the later V8 piece. That and some firm shocks should make a noticeable difference. I did my V8 conversion 42 years ago and I'm still running the original 200 6-cylinder springs. They are not spongy feeling at all.
Has anyone tried putting used 302 springs under, as apposed to fresh springs? I have a used set I may experiment with, maybe time softened them up enough for good rest.
Food for thought .... suspension changes frequently will affect the handling of the opposite end of the car more. What is the car doing? If it is tail-happy and over-steers, then look to the front of the car to make improvements (bigger front sway bar or stiffer front springs). Cars of this age were designed to under-steer. Due to tires of the times, this would keep most drivers of average skill out of trouble. This results in the car plowing straight, rather than cornering well. It kept one motivated to slow down. You might want to look to the rear springs first. Then make further changes from there. I see shackles back there now .... not good. If those rear springs are original, they should be past their expiration date by at least 20 years. It is possible to put a sway bar back there, but then there isn't much room for exhaust. Another issue is that kits to add a bar use u-bolts into the framerail that can tear through. Stiffer rear leaf springs will usually raise the ride height unless you get some that are de-arched. There is a good tutorial about a DIY solution using Econoline van leaf springs. http://mmb.maverick.to/resources/junk-yard-rear-suspension-tech.25/ My car was used for drag racing primarily, and plows like crazy. My new goal is good overall handling. My plan is to use the original main leaf in my Comet, and add the stiffer van leafs until hitting the spring rate and ride height I want. I also have much more substantial shocks in the back now. I have used them on a couple of SUV daily drivers and they completely changed the character of how they handled. http://mmb.maverick.to/resources/more-options-for-rear-shocks-for-our-cars.26/ It will only be after that I get the rear springs worked out, that I will dive back into the front.
Olec: A new ADDCO sway bar 7/8" inch diameter would help greatly . You can find them @ SUMMIT Racing online. Cometized (Chip)
