I am currently running p265 50 r15's in the back of my 70 chevelle hardtop put on by the previous owner... they look good so I want to keep them.
the previous owner was using air shocks to keep the car off of the tires, but I don't like the way air shocks ride.
now I saw in a previous post that I could use the rear coil springs from a 70 chevelle wagon to raise the back end up 3+ inches, but I was wondering if I would also need to use a different size shock than the original stock length shock.
what would be a good shock to get... i.e., what car should I tell them I need the shocks for???

todd

Moog Cargo Coils 501 will raise the backend up +1". Look at my home page and click on the 70 model. The 501's are in that car. If you click on the 71 model, you see pictures of the el camino with station wagon springs in the rear (+2.5"). The last picture of the el camino has CC501 installed. The rear dropped down more to my liking.


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Regards,
RLK
My Cars (http://home.texoma.net/~rknipe/)

I'd go with coils. The way we did it in the 1970s was hard on the frame. Using air shocks to jack the rear end up has caused frame damage at the upper shock mounts on the cars of some of the members here. Some of the cars probably had the damage for years and it was only discovered during restoration.

I had coils from a cadillac under my car. To find correct shocks I had to go down to Advanced auto and look through "the book of shocks"

You will find they are listed by "ending" and then by length.

Bring in your old shock and find the "series" that match up to each mounting style. Also have a measurement, as the car sits, from the cneter of one mounting point to the other. "static ride height" it is called.

Try doing some searching under the user name 72Chevelle350TH350.... that was my old user name and I had plenty fo info on this setup and how I came to dealing with it and eventually change it. I just did a quick search and got nill. Guess someone felt it necessary to delete moat all posts related to that user name. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/rolleyes.gif

So that means no Part number for you. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Good luck.

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71' 3880# with me. Big Block 402, Merlin oval heads, 10.2:1CR, TH400, 3.73 posi,
1/8th: 8.0 @ 88mph
BEST 60': 1.85 w/street tires.
BEST 1/4: 12.5 with 1.89 sixty foot (street tires)
BEST MPH: 109mph

Picture of me roasting the tires and other guy stuff (http://www.auburnextremeracing.com/drivers/mike/)
Video of me staging (smoke of course) (http://www.auburn.edu/~ledfojw/vids/mike_chevelle_burnout.avi)

there's only one problem...
the previous owner had put the air shocks on the car and I am now removing them to put on the coil springs...
I've decided to use the coils from the chevelle station wagon in 1970...
the last problem is the shocks now...
any ideas???

Why not use standard shocks? The upper limit on travel is limited by the control arms, not the springs.


------------------
Regards,
RLK
My Cars (http://home.texoma.net/~rknipe/)

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by knipe:
Why not use standard shocks? The upper limit on travel is limited by the control arms, not the springs.


<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

The standard lenght shock where maxed out on my car when I bought it. If I where to lift the car by the bumper the third member weight would be on the shock mounts.

The rear axle "rolls" forward as the car is lifted away from it, kind of a "swinging mostion" if you will. This results in a downward pinion angle, because the lower control arms stay put. It will continue to roll untill the lower control arms contact he axle housing, or the driveshaft bottoms out in the tranny (liekly the first though).

Once you lift your car, the results will leave your axle "scooted forward" in the wheel well. I had 1" between the front of the tire and the wheel well and at least 5" between the rear of the tire and the well.

t-odd. as for the shock advise. Was I not clear enough? do you want me to go down and find the number for you too?? http://www.chevelles.com/forum/confused.gif

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71' 3880# with me. Big Block 402, Merlin oval heads, 10.2:1CR, TH400, 3.73 posi,
1/8th: 8.0 @ 88mph
BEST 60': 1.85 w/street tires.
BEST 1/4: 12.5 with 1.89 sixty foot (street tires)
BEST MPH: 109mph

Picture of me roasting the tires and other guy stuff (http://www.auburnextremeracing.com/drivers/mike/)
Video of me staging (smoke of course) (http://www.auburn.edu/~ledfojw/vids/mike_chevelle_burnout.avi)

[This message has been edited by BB_Mike (edited 03-14-2002).]

Mike, check the "Tips & Fixes" forum for a post from "72chevelle350TH350". Someone dug up your solution for a sagging headliner a few days ago. Maybe the search by username is case sensitive.

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My Web Page (http://www.landry-family.com) (updated 2-19-02)

"America will endure!"

Chad Landry
TC Member #643
ACES Member #04556
'68 El Camino

[This message has been edited by cjlandry (edited 03-14-2002).]

If you lift the rear, you will change the angle of the rear controll arms.

When the lower controll arm isn't level, at normal ride height, you WILL have traction problems. You are gonna find out what "bunny hop" means!

Best to find rims with offset that allows the tires to clear without altering the geometry out back.