Odd question, 1965 Riviera front coil spring diameter..?

[ESnacky6]

Ok, I can't get under and measure it myself right now....
the damn car is too friggin' low, I don't have a jack at home,
and I can't drive it right now....

Can anybody please measure the outer and inner diameters
of a front coil spring for a 1965 Buick Riviera..??

Thanks for any help..!! -Snacks.... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[hollywud]

I wonder if the springs are the same on a lesabre,If so I can give you that measurement,you tryin to bag it?

[Fraz]

Well, classicbuicks.com has insulator pads that measure 5 1/8" O.D. and 4" I.D. I'd imagine they're close to that.

Consequently, they list the same part numbers for 38-40 all models, 54-60 all models, 61-64 LeSabre Invicta Electra Wildcat, and 63-65 Rivi. So that might help.

[ESnacky6]

Cool man thanks alot..!!

[Stevie G]

So....uh...Whatcha' doin'??

[Rand Man]

Five inch is the most common front coil spring size.

[ESnacky6]

I knew somebody was gonna ask.... hahaha..!! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif
(sorry, I didn't have time to explain in detail yesterday...)

Ok, so the previous owner had just cut the fronts and heated the
rears, and I had no idea how low from 'stock hieght' I really was....

I'd ordered some lowered springs 7 or 8 months ago, and now
they have settled to the point that I'm actually 'too' low....
not for around-town cruising, but when I get on the highway
and try to go over 60-65, if I hit a dip or pothole, I slam HARD..!!!
I really hit bad a few times coming back from Billetproof....

anyway, I really want to take it to the Primer Nationals in Ventura,
but don't want to completely ruin the bottom of my car on the way down,
soooo, I'm going to get a pair of rubber/urethane spring spacers,
like what the truck guys use to gain up to 3" in hieght for
tire/wheel clearance....
I've heard late '90s Dodge trucks have the same diameter springs,
and that is why I was asking for the Rivi diameter, just to be sure....

they go right on top of the spring and have a groove the spring
sits in.... and as an added bonus, it should actually ride smoother too,
cuz I'll have the rubber/urethane 'cushion'....
I'm thinking an inch up from where I am now should gain me enough
clearance to survive the trip, and buy me a little more time
before I actually take the plunge and finally airbag it....

Anyway, so that's what I'm doing.... raising my car.... hahaha

here's a pic of what the spring spacers look like
Later, Snacks....

[SLAMIT]

Just my .02 if you buy the cheapie rubber spacers at Kragen they are universal. meaning they are like 6 inches or so in diameter and you just cut em to the size you need. Wont ride as nice as the others but fine for temp use. By the way let me know when you get that PS pump. and dont worry about the shipping cause it was only like 5 bucks.

Good Luck

SLAMIT

[TimBob]

Snacky,
I just bought a Riv and have been reading thru old posts. Just wanted to clarify - since you bought springs made to 4"-5" below stock, are you saying that you need to lift it 3" (to 1"-2" below stock) to be driveable?
I'd like to know in case I go that route.

Thanks,
TR

PS I don't have the car here so can't help with the spring measurements for a couple weeks.

[ESnacky6]

TimBob,

No, I just need to raise the front up an inch from where it sits now,
which turns out to be about a 4" drop... the rear is more like 5"....

the truck spring spacers are available in increments up to* 3" because
when you try to raise a truck over 3" with just spring spacers,
apparently it starts to seriously mess with the steering components, etc....
*key words, "up to"

So to answer your question, I will only be raising it one inch
by ordering a one inch spring spacer....

If you ordered a 3" drop in the front, and 4" in the rear,
you would be sitting just right I think....
What I ordered was too much for 'all around' driveability....
(for me at least)

I hope that answers your question..!! Later, Snacks.... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[TimBob]

Thanks! Good reference - it's tough to tell how much the stock springs have sagged over 40 years.
Let us know how the spacers work.

Cheers,
TR