Firstgens.com

So,.....My car is a base model car that has been converted to a 350. The suspension is stock, and I was wondering what I should do about my tires rubbing the fenders on the front when I hit a large bump or come off a small bridge that isn't exact with the level with the road.

For the mean time, I've temporarily welded some 1/2" plate on top the bottom arm which is lined up with the bump stop. So far that has worked perfectly which allows me to at least drive the car till I figure this out.

What I want is the car to ride like it currently does. It rides so smooth and my wife and I are using the car as a cruiser...not a race car.

I was worried about going with heavy springs due to having a stiff ride. My current stance is probably lower than stock....I think.

What do you think?

What wheels and tires do you have? Look like 17's, couls that be any of your problem?

17x8's in the front
17x9's in the rear

275x40r17 in the rear
235x45r17 in the front

The overall height of both front and rear tires are lower than stock. If I had 15" rims, the equivalent tire size would be 275x50r15 in the rear and 235x55r15 in the front.

I've been doing some reading up and it looks like a 350 with iron heads weighs just under 600lbs. A 235 inline 6 weighs around 630lbs. Not much difference.

I have also installed/upgraded from the base model with no options to A/C, Power brakes, and Power steering which I'm sure also adds more weight to the front. I'm thinking around 100lbs? So, guestimating, I should be around 70lbs more on the front than what the car came stock. That isn't very much to worry about 6 cyl springs versus 8 cyl springs.

What would you guys think about my coils just possibly sagging some? I found a replacement set of springs on Ebay new for $80. I'm wondering if I should try that or am I wasting my time?

I don't know. Maybe I'm overthinking this and should just simply leave it alone since it seems to ride fine and don't bottom out anymore.

You can have 7 inch tyres rub on the front, 8 inches is bound to hit I would have thought.
Car has a nice stance to it I like it. If it had a 6 cylinder in it all of it's life I would doubt the springs would be shot, but it is a tad low, leave it if you are happy with it now.
Go cruising!!

As far as the stance, you'll be just fine.

What is the backspacing on the front rims? Looks like the fronts could use a little less width and or a little more BS so they will be tucked in a bit more especially if you are rubbing while going straight after a bump.

Front - 17x8" Foose Legend wheels: +1mm (4.54" backspacing)
235x45r17 Nitto 555 tires

Rear - 17x9" Foose Legend wheels: +7mm (5.28" backspacing)
275x40r17 Nitto 555 tires

I thought this backspacing and tire size was normal for a plus size setup. I know the rear is pushing it with 275's, but the back fits fine with a little hammering on the inside rear wheel well.

235 is on the ragged edge in front, but should fit.
Your 4.5" backspace should be right, but the pics look like the front tires are sticking out too far.
The car is not that low, it could be inches lower, both ends.
can you post a couple closeups of the front tires / wheelwells?

On the six cylinder springs, what they did was they kept the spring rate very low, but made the springs very long. There was a lot of preload on the springs to hold the car up, but the rate was very soft.

I've done a lot to the suspension of my car. Everyone who rides in it says it is smooth, quiet, and comfortable. My front springs are Hotchkiss, 660 pounds per inch (stock v8 springs are less than 300) Someday soon, we're gonna start having some real tech articles, I'll get all this stuff detailed.

for now, here's a couple pics of JimM's 68 vert.

Nice vert!!!!


Here are some close up pics that I just took: