what is the best way to STIFFEN a spring without making it taller?

[azmusclecar]

It's not a race. When working with springs it's best to go slow and be safe about it. Nobody want's to see u get hurt cause you rushed it.

Amen brother........yes I am quite nervous when it comes to having that spring compressed and all the energy pent up in it......
Be safe , not sorry..............thanks for the kind and wise words.

 

[fleming442]

I know you're nervous about the final outcome, but look at it like this: the new springs are much stiffer, so even though they are shorter (& easier to install), they will hold the weight of the car better. The uninstalled height difference you're seeing would be taken up with the floor jack (or spring compressor) while getting the ball joints set into the knuckle. Once the weight of the car comes down on the soft springs, they dip even further. The new springs shouldn't compress nearly as much once it's on the ground.

 

[azmusclecar]

UPDATE:

Moog 5662 installed.....ride height just a tad higher, maybe .5 inch. I haven't driven car yet and maybe that .5 inch will come back.

Will update after test drive.

 

[fleming442]

Make sure to crank into an exit ramp; it will put a smile on your face. They should settle at least a half inch, but it might take a few weeks.
Oh, and........

 

[fleming442]

 

[azmusclecar]

To stop Spankey from wearing the end of his fingers off................

 

[azmusclecar]

Sad to say I'm just not feeling the 17 inch Hurst/Vision Dazzler wheels.........maybe should have got 15 inch.
I thought it would be a no brainer but I'm not happy with my choice...........I wanted to stay with the
same size so as not to have to make changes to speedo gears and affect the rear gear ratio.

$1000 mistake in judgement..................not easy to live with. 🙁

 

[azmusclecar]

Took the H/O out for a drive and the front end feels solid but my steering is still a bit sloppy. I did replace the
steering shaft and I've adjusted the screw on the steering gearbox. Just don't care for how the car steers.
I checked all the steering components as I lubed and everything feels tight and I torqued to GM specs....
Seems to wander and then dart......so I kept my test drive short for safety reasons. All the work I've done with spindles
and coils and even the new tach I installed failed as it began to act just like the one I removed, has left me lethargic
and not wanting to do much more. Truly wanted to get the H/O out and enjoy the fruit of my labors...

as the song says: I've lost that loving feeling.........................woe that loving feeling...............

 

[pagrunt]

What size tires did you put on? The wheels work for the car but maybe some more side wall on the tire could make the look like they fill the wheel wells better. Also would give a little more of a smother/softer feel of the road.

 

[fleming442]

Well, the wandering and darting is an alignment issue. I would suggest investing in a DYI alignment set. Getting more caster and camber in (more than some tire monkey will do) makes a HUGE difference.
Sorry you don't like the wheels. I think it looks cool as hell- just bring the rear down a touch to level it out. The gold definitely narrows the resale audience, though.