82 Malibu Wagon in New Zealand

[Ugly1]

Did some digging and it comes down to size of spring diameter. Here in U.S an early 1968-1977 rear spring will fit out of and A-body ( Chevelle, Cutlass, Skylark) but not sure if fronts will fit. But a G-body 1978-1987/88 front will not go into a 1968–1977 the G-body is 5.5” vs.5.0” of the early A-body GM. However if the ends are the same diameter and the body of the spring is the difference it could fit.also the early 1970’s VE Holden Commodore Sedan might be similar. (AU eBay) for a lowering spring.

VE Holden Commodore Sedan V8 Front Super Low Coil Springs | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for VE Holden Commodore Sedan V8 Front Super Low Coil Springs at the best online prices at eBay!

www.ebay.com.au

 

[Ugly1]

FYI: old school trick is set blocks under the front cross member to the hight you want the car to sit and heat around a coil to let the car settle on the blocks. Then let them cool for a day. Problem is it hurts the tempering of the steel and could cause a future break of the spring. Though I had never seen it happen personally.

 

[Davenz]

Did some digging and it comes down to size of spring diameter. Here in U.S an early 1968-1977 rear spring will fit out of and A-body ( Chevelle, Cutlass, Skylark) but not sure if fronts will fit. But a G-body 1978-1987/88 front will not go into a 1968–1977 the G-body is 5.5” vs.5.0” of the early A-body GM. However if the ends are the same diameter and the body of the spring is the difference it could fit.also the early 1970’s VE Holden Commodore Sedan might be similar. (AU eBay) for a lowering spring.

VE Holden Commodore Sedan V8 Front Super Low Coil Springs | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for VE Holden Commodore Sedan V8 Front Super Low Coil Springs at the best online prices at eBay!

www.ebay.com.au

Cheers i was thinking the early 70's holden series springs might be compatible with these, some of them came out with a 350 as well. Theres a spring place in town that i think makes it's own springs so i'll shoot in & see them at some stage soon....

 

[Davenz]

Getting some paint on the lower control arms while there's some sun for a bit, been the wettest winter in years here. Dropped the front springs into a shop in town that specializes in them, he's going to set them up to suit a factory 70's chev powered holden & lower them at the same time. Springs even get powder coated & all for under $200 so a good bonus there, she's sure a slow build this one but the wait will be worth it on the 1st drive 👌 😎

 

[Ugly1]

Awesome!!

 

[Davenz]

Picked the springs up, feels good to start putting parts back on her instead of taking them off. Top ball joints to do then the front end can go back together all fully rebuilt, got some 225/40/18s getting fitted to the front alloys today as well

 

[Davenz]

Few more bits done, just doing what i can between jobs here. Should have the left side back together tomorrow, top balljioints cut out & top arms painted. Done the stub axles in cast iron grey just to break it up a bit, bolt the new top balljoints in & bolt her together.
Be good to have her back on all 4 then i'll move onto the trans & sorting the running gear next, i'm a busy bugger but hope to have this running before xmas touch wood. Then can move onto the paint & body work 👌 😎

 

[Davenz]

One side done 👌 😎

 

[Davenz]

Back on her feet at long last, just done enough to move her at this stage. Backed into the carport so i can pull the engine at some stage soon & sort the trans & get it all back in for the final time, the other wagon in the pic is going into the paint shop at some stage soon so i have to get that ready. Roughest one i've ever fixed but she's going to come up looking pretty special in the end, once that's painted & the chevs running she's next for the paint booth 👍 😉

 

[Davenz]

Sheesh time fly's, was hoping to have this at least running by Xmas but that didn't happen. Joys of being self employed, next year though stuffs going to happen. Paint jobs paid for so she has to be sorted for that & needs to be running so in between jobs i'll be doing what i can, id say i've got most if not all of what i need here to finish her besides the exhaust which i'll tackle myself. It's 2.5 to 3k for a system over here & i sure aren't paying that🤔