[GhostTown]

Hello. This is my third time trying to start this thread. Let's hope I succeed this time.

I have a '65 LeMans that I'm presently trying to get into road worthy condition. Long story short is that the car sat for 28 years with a lot of body damage. I recently had the major, major body damage repaired, and I'm currently trying to get all of the mechanical stuff figured out so I can drive it for a little while before I have the rest of the body work done.

While the heavy damage was being repaired, I also had the guy doing the work put a CPP disc brake kit with booster, etc. up front and rebuild the drums in the rear. Since I like a lower car in general, I chose to go with the 2 inch drop spindles in the front.

The car has needed new shocks and springs from the beginning, but now these drop spindles have presented a bit of a challenge. I think the front is about an inch lower than I really want it to be. I don't want a low rider, just something that sat a little lower so as to present a bit of an aggressive Pro Touring style look when I'm all done. I'm hoping to get the front end back up some, and I now need to find a proper rear spring to level the car out at its new height, as well as find good shocks for all four corners.

Through extensive forum searching I've learned about using AC or "beige" springs up front (which are apparently stiffer?) which may raise the ride height a bit. I'd just like someone with experience to verify that before I buy them.

I'll post a pic below. Every time I try to start a thread with a pic, the thread gets sucked into some hole and goes away for ever.

[GhostTown]

Hey.. it worked!

Here is the car. Presently it drives down the road, but it handles TERRIBLY. Very scary to drive. I'm thinking a tie rod may be bent so I just purchased those (Raybestos, I bought them before learning about the grease zerk problem so I'll have to check that). There is a hell of a camber problem, too, and the tires are scrubbing hard on the inside so I'm thinking there is a lot of toe in. It jerks right and left in a scary fashion.

Couple all of that with the shocks being completely non-existent and the ride heights messed up... it's a horror show much past 30 mph. Engine runs pretty good though!

[FrankieT/A]

Well start off by replacing anything worn out.... Like bushings, tie rod ends, idler etc. then have it aligned. When you changed the spindles you blew the alignment out. The caster is probably way off so now it's squirrelly.

[ddella22]

if you get springs for an A/C car it will raise the nose up a bit more than regular springs

[GhostTown]

Originally Posted by FrankieT/A

Well start off by replacing anything worn out.... Like bushings, tie rod ends, idler etc. then have it aligned. When you changed the spindles you blew the alignment out. The caster is probably way off so now it's squirrelly.

Hmm..... This would bring in several more decisions to make, which is ok. It just brings them up earlier than I expected.

I probably should have just gone with an entire Hotchkis or Ridetech suspension package to sit the car where I wanted it instead of going with the drop spindles. Then everything would have matched up. The way it is now I'm having to piece stuff together one mismatched item at a time.

I was hoping to temporarily get it at least drivable for a few hundred bucks before taking that step. However, if I'm going to be 600 to 800 into it, I may as well skip that temporary step and put the money into a performance kit now.

Originally Posted by ddella22

if you get springs for an A/C car it will raise the nose up a bit more than regular springs

Thanks for verifying that. Still might be what I do, along with getting everything else straightened out as stock (save for the spindles).

[The Champ]

Personally, I take the drop spindles out. Why use drop spindles to lower than have to use AC springs to raise it back up?

A good set of the correct springs could provide the drop you want.

Also, it just might be that the correct original springs would lift you back to where you want to be (compared to the old worn out springs).

[GhostTown]

Problem is, I've already purchased the drop spindles. I doubt I could send them back after they've been installed. Otherwise, I agree with you.

I was sort of persuaded into the drop spindles. The justification was that with the drop spindles you get full suspension travel which would equal a better ride at a lower height.

Now, after doing a lot of reading today I see that the real performance suspension packages are using 1 inch lower springs and 1 inch lower spindles.

I don't know what to do. I just hate buying stuff twice.

[63gpman]

Contact CSS and see if they can help. The will make the springs for you in any way that you want. They will change the rate and the height and they are very reasonable. This way, you get what you want the first time! I have found that their prices are not far off from the off the shelf springs from moog or any other company.

[email protected]
Coil Springs Specialties

[Scarebird]

Originally Posted by GhostTown

Problem is, I've already purchased the drop spindles. I doubt I could send them back after they've been installed. Otherwise, I agree with you.

I was sort of persuaded into the drop spindles. The justification was that with the drop spindles you get full suspension travel which would equal a better ride at a lower height.

Now, after doing a lot of reading today I see that the real performance suspension packages are using 1 inch lower springs and 1 inch lower spindles.

I don't know what to do. I just hate buying stuff twice.

by whom? if by CPP then they may take them back or exchange them...

[GhostTown]

Originally Posted by 63gpman

[email protected]
Coil Springs Specialties

Thanks, I'll take a look at that.

Originally Posted by Scarebird

by whom?

Neighbor talked me into it. I think he meant well by it. He's built many GM cars, says he does it to his Novas and what not.


I talked to the wife about this last night and have been looking over different pro touring packages all morning. I think that may be the better way to go. For 4K or less I'd essentially have a new car sitting under the body. Might worth the piece of mind alone, given this cars past.

['ol Pinion head]

If the '65 has its stock rearend with lower spring mounts with the bolt on stamped steel retainers, source some used '64-66 ElCamino rear springs. The El Camino rear springs should drop the rear an 1" to 1 1/2". Early El Camino guys will often pull the stock rear springs & chunk them, in order to install taller height A-body rear springs, so they can run a taller wide rear tire. I've built 8.5 A-body & 12 bolt rears for early El Camino's & early Malibu's & the owners managed to get 275-60-15's up in their small rear wheelhouses.

[FrankieT/A]

Well, I bet that car has a few stories! Looks like you managed let it go on some new adventures though, good save!

[GhostTown]

Yeah, it has quite a few stories. I've waited for this car my whole life. My mother bought brand new. Local dealer ordered it for her. It sat wrecked like that for 28 years.

[Scarebird]

I would talk to Bart (b-man), he is the guru at this A body suspension stuff...

[GhostTown]

After a lot more research today, I will agree with you on that Scarebird.

It really looks like the SC&C stuff that b-man used is the way to go. Spent hours combing other forums to verify his setup, and it seems unanimous that the most professional, good handling, highest quality package comes from SC&C.

However, now I need to see about contacting b-man directly. I wish he had finished his Tempest though.

[6 Grrrs]

Welcome to the site. Glad to see a car like this being saved. Looks like a decent car other than what body damage it had. You got most of that sorted out so now time for mechanicals. What part of the country are you in?

There is no need to spend $4k on a "pro touring" suspension kit for an Abody. You can get excellent handling as well as great stance & road manners with some carefully selected pieces. My car was built with all factory type components when I first restored it. When driving it aggressively, the front tires would hit the inner fenders and the entire car was soft/loose feeling. It was not a lot of fun that way, so I decided to make some changes. I then decided on Global West's del a lum bushings, rear lower control arms and their lowering springs. I also went with an OEM 1.25" front sway bar and a '98 grand Cherokee steering box. It also has '69 Grand Prix front Disk setup on it (installed before I owned it).

I couldn't be happier with the results. The car is a whole lot tighter on the road, has excellent road feel, no rattles, and can be driven pretty hard into the corners. Actually it needs more power to take full advantage of the upgrades. I will eventually add a rear sway bar in the future. Not trying to pat myself on the back, but I think my car has an awesome stance (many others too as I get plenty of comments).

The beauty of these cars is all the suspension parts interchange with a Chevelle or cutlass. You really don't have to reinvent the wheel. There are plenty who have gone down the same road.

Try searching the Chevelle forums for info too.