Z/28 Front Coil Spring Replacement Question

[ZEBRA28]

Looking to replace the front coil springs on my 1969 Z/28 ... at some point, someone cut a coil or two off and they measure approx. 14 3/4".

Does anyone know the correct measurement (top to bottom height) for a factory stock spring?

Dale

[69Z28-RS]

There were 3 or 4 different front springs used on '69 Z28's depending on weight (as determined by the options supplied at production).   My car is a Z28-RS with cowl hood/etc and is ~ 90lbs heavier than the base '69 z28 in the front end.  My car was delivered with 'EY' springs.  The physical specs for my original 'EY' springs were:

The wire thickness (dia) is 5/8", coil loop diameter - 4-3/4", freelength of the spring = 15-3/8", 8 loops.

Since one of my original springs had a broken coil, I had Coil Spring Specialists make me a new pair matching these specs and as close to original spring rates as possible.

Here's a couple of links, although there's others as well..

http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=15969.msg143765#msg143765
http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=10000.msg75609#msg75609

[firstgenaddict]

Many people swear by Eaton Spring company in MI, they are more expensive than others however the ride height seems to always be spot on.

[Stingr69]

Many people swear by Eaton Spring company in MI, they are more expensive than others however the ride height seems to always be spot on.

Eaton Detroit sent me 4 springs that just did not sit right so I took measurements and they sent out 4 new springs that were exactly what I needed.  They issued a return shipping labels and had the first set picked up.

[ZEBRA28]

Stinger69 - do happen to recall which springs you purchased from Eaton? I was looking at their MC1236. The ride height on your car looks just about exactly what I am hoping to get ... although I might go slightly lower in the front.

Dale

[69Z28-RS]

If your only concern is ride height, then if you try enough different OTC springs, you can probably find one that suits you.

BUT if you are restoring your car and desire to match the original springs in both ride height and physical parameters, then I doubt you'll be satisfied with off the shelf springs - I tried several which were recommended, but returned them, which is why I went to Coil Springs Specialties for my replacements.   They matched wire size, coil diameter, free height, number of coils, etc along with matching my spring rate specs.

http://coilsprings.com/

[Stingr69]

Stinger69 - do happen to recall which springs you purchased from Eaton? I was looking at their MC1236. The ride height on your car looks just about exactly what I am hoping to get ... although I might go slightly lower in the front.

Dale

I do have a record of the springs I bought first.  They rode high so they built custom replacements and shipped them to me.  I do not have a record of the second (current) set. 

If the original invoice/customer numbers mean anything to Eaton Detroit after 2 decades, I could provide those.  Call them and see what they say.  It was only back in 2002, so maybe they still remember me?? 

[ZEBRA28]

Sure appreciate all of the help. After talking with Mike at Eaton Detroit, I ended up going with a set of their stock height springs (returnable) and will use those as a gauge to find the actual ride height we're looking for. Dale