Coil Spring Specialties

[RivNut]

Gentlemen:

I just got a quote for a set of -2.0" lowering coil springs for my '64 from these guys. They advertise in the Riview so I thought I'd try to give them some business. I was quoted $218 for the front pair and $205 for the rear pair. 1) How does this compare to the lowering springs some of you have purchased from Jamco (I can only find complete kits on their website - no springs only $$$,) and 2) has anyone used this company? If so, what's your impression.

Thanks,

Ed

[KAD36]

Ed - reference question 2) used Coil Spring Specialties on my Buick and had the back raised about 3/4 of an inch and they came out dead on. Very happy with them. Relevant thread attached. Good luck

http://forums.aaca.org/f162/coils-spring-source-1955-buick-special-223381.html

[RivNut]

Ken,

Thanks for the reply and the link. I only received an email response from them today but I'll make sure that I talk to them about some of the things that were discussed in the linked thread before buying anything. It would be nice if they do on-sight installations as well. I live close enough to them that I could drive there and see what things looked like in person to make sure that they set correctly. Probably just a pipe dream.

Ed

[bb1970]

Ed, I gave under under $350 for springs from Jamco three years ago.

front- Jamco Suspension - <b>Front Suspension & Steering</b> Buick 63-70 BUICK RIVIERA FRONT COIL SPRINGS Jamco Suspension, Your #1 Source for Hot Rod Brakes and Suspension!

rear- Jamco Suspension - <b>Rear Suspension</b> Buick <b>Coil Springs</b> 61-64 BUICK COIL SPRINGS Jamco Suspension, Your #1 Source for Hot Rod Brakes and Suspension!

They were slow to ship them to me. And hard to get a hold of on the phone. But they shipped me a good product. Bill

[Guest 63 rivenge]

Ed, If it is any help, I just lowered my 63 2 inches all around....looks great rides nice, I bought them off of Opgi.....(.which I do not buy alot of items from.) anyway I figered they outsource them anyway, with shipping they came to about $450........It gives the car a nice stance and once again rides nice with no issues

[Guest Gee_Rydes]

Ok Guys,

Been gone a while but since this thread was started by my buddy Ed, I felt compelled...

Jamco and Coil Spring Specialties are the same product!!!

I have dealt with Jamco for over a decade. Jim Sr passed about 4 years ago and his boy gave the business a try. Went OK at first, but then it turned into more and more stretched promises until finally more than 6 months went by on an order with claims that "FedEx lost 14 sets of springs". The fish got bigger and bigger.

Frustrated and VERY concerned about using just any other brand, I got Jr to reveal that they actually use a company in the midwest to make their springs. Google searches, live phone calls to receivables depts (cause you KNOW he probably was not paying his suppliers either) led me to Coil Spring Specialties. They verified that they have been doing business for 2 decades with Jamco. I ordered a set and they came in the same box, same labels, etc.

Funniest part is that their website is coilsprings.com.

If I were smarter I would have started there instead of ending up there. Oh well. Talk to Perry, Virgina, or Kevin Crane. Tell them Dave G sent you.

This entire ordeal reminded me of another guy that bought a well-known 50's speed parts business and is also very crafty and creative with his excuses and stories. When something is too big and colorful of a story, you just gotta know it is not true. You Buick guys know who he is.

Still don't know if Jr is crooked or just clueless. He was always nice. Probably just a bad businessman that got in over his head and couldn't pay his suppliers.

Figured I would share my secret about the springs because they are truly the best I have used. I have ordered 5 sets for Cadillacs, 3 sets for Lincolns, 3 sets for Rivieras, recently a set for my Chevelle, etc.

Guys...2 weeks or less most of the time. Ordered a set a week ago Monday for the Lincoln and had them delivered yesterday to CA from Kansas.

AWESOME huh?

Now maybe it's time to get that damned 65 project going again!!!

Values are rising again

Take care

Dave

[RivNut]

Ok Guys,

Been gone a while but since this thread was started by my buddy Ed, I felt compelled...

Dave

Dave,

Really nice to hear from you again. I refer people to your '65 Facebook build quite often when they ask me questions about o/d tranmissions behind a nailhead. Glad to hear that the '65 may get back on the front burner. And thanks for the info on the springs, really. Hopefully you'll be lending us more of your expertise in the future.

Ed

[RivNut]

Please keep this under consideration. Jamco is NOT exclusive to Buicks. The only firm who has this kind of reputation and is pretty much exclusive to Buicks is that elusive guy from the Northwest to whom Dave Gee made reference in his previous post. Please don't compare Jamco to other Buick vendors or get the idea that all Buick vendors treat you as Jamco has treated you.

As I was thinking about what has been said about Jamco's service, I got to wondering if they can offer prices based on quantity discounts. If they order a large number of product from Coil Spring Specialites, they might get a discount. Until they have enough orders to fill, you're on a waiting list. If you're the first one to place a new order getting them to a minimun number, you'll wait for a long time; if you're the last one to place an order that gets them to their minimum, you're in luck and probably get your order fairly quickly.

More of Raner's random thinking; never cast in stone.

Ed

[Guest BJM]

I have never ordered springs for a car. However, I always assumed that when or if I did, it would be with DETROIT SPRING. I did speak to them years ago about providing GS rated springs for my 1964 Riviera and they said no problem. Long time Hemmings advertiser. Are they no good?

[Guest 63 rivenge]

Ed, this is my 63 with 2 inch spring drop front and rear from OPGI, if that helps you

Regards

Bob

[Guest PRDDETROIT]

I've been reading this and I am also looking into lowering my 63. debating springs or bags. I was looking into springs a while back. Probably two years ago and I remember the Jamco kit being about $100 cheaper than what it is now. I just recently started looking again and it was quite a bit more than I remember.

Either way. I think I'm going to do the 2 inch drop after seeing Bobs car. Looks great! And I'm worried about california roads. Theres a lot of steep drain ditches and you can see how many cars bottom out. I like the oil pan where it is.

Plus i'm going to be swapping the original 401 for a newly rebuilt and balanced 65 401 bored 030 with a 340hp cam and 65 400 trans. I got it cheaper than what it was going to cost me to rebuild the original motor. It's my daily driver. It runs good, but it has 117,000 original miles and could use a freshen up. I had new seal put in the dynaflow. it works great but, its a dynaflow a little dawgy.

Is there anyone in the LA area that knows of a good exhaust shop? I need to replace the stock exhaust and have it routed closer and tighter to the frame for ground clearance.

Thanks guys and beautiful cars.

I cant wait to lower mine.

[Mr Riviera]

CSS is the only Spring Co . I would use . Good product,price and nice to deal with inc. fast shipment .

[RivNut]

Plus i'm going to be swapping the original 401 for a newly rebuilt and balanced 65 401 bored 030 with a 340hp cam and 65 400 trans. I got it cheaper than what it was going to cost me to rebuild the original motor. It's my daily driver. It runs good, but it has 117,000 original miles and could use a freshen up. I had new seal put in the dynaflow. it works great but, its a dynaflow a little dawgy.

Is there anyone in the LA area that knows of a good exhaust shop? I need to replace the stock exhaust and have it routed closer and tighter to the frame for ground clearance.

Thanks guys and beautiful cars.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]177551[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]177552[/ATTACH]

You'll get a much better reaction to the 2nd part of your question if you start a new thread on that subject. Most people have already looked at this thread and probably won't come back to it. On the forum page for the Riviera Owners Association, just click on the New Post link and ask your question.

This also keeps the threads in line with the original comment then folks are bouncing back and forth trying to figure out what answer goes with which question.

Ed

PS - Did you get all of the other '65 stuff with the engine and trans? The transmission crossmembers are different, as well as the shifters and consoles. The kickdoen and variable pitch converter on the '65 transmission are electronic whereas they're mechanical on the '63. The '65 transmission converter also has a control that works off the brake pedal with the car is at a stop. There aren't too many things that are the same on them. I'm trying to think of one now but can't.

Edited February 10, 2013 by RivNut (see edit history)

[Guest PRDDETROIT]

My old man found all the parts we need for the swap. He found a Riv parts guy in Michigan that had everything we need.

Thanks for the help guys,

Dave

[Guest PRDDETROIT]

We also got a 65 front driveshaft because the length is different.

Thanks again for all your help

Dave

You'll get a much better reaction to the 2nd part of your question if you start a new thread on that subject. Most people have already looked at this thread and probably won't come back to it. On the forum page for the Riviera Owners Association, just click on the New Post link and ask your question.

This also keeps the threads in line with the original comment then folks are bouncing back and forth trying to figure out what answer goes with which question.

Ed

PS - Did you get all of the other '65 stuff with the engine and trans? The transmission crossmembers are different, as well as the shifters and consoles. The kickdoen and variable pitch converter on the '65 transmission are electronic whereas they're mechanical on the '63. The '65 transmission converter also has a control that works off the brake pedal with the car is at a stop. There aren't too many things that are the same on them. I'm trying to think of one now but can't.

[RockinRiviDad]

RivNut, did you buy your springs yet? I forgot to ask about the rear springs. I will be calling back tomorrow to ask about those and prob place my order on 2" drop GS spec springs. I will also post this on the thread where you asked me to call CSS (Coil Spring Specialists).

For those who do call CSS and ask questions will be pleased with the people on the other end. I tried to speak to one of the 3 people Dee Gee recommended but they were all busy. Israel who asked if he could help me was great. My question to him was about the differences between our standard and GS springs. His explanation was that there are 3 types of springs for them to start us off with depending on our cars. The 3 are Non AC, AC equipped or Gran Sport springs which all have diff spring rates of 300, 400 or 500. Springs rates are measured in the number of pounds it takes to compress a given spring one inch.

Once I gave him my cars info (ie engine size, AC) he pulled up factory specs (inside diameter, wire thickness, height & spring rate). I told him I wanted GS springs which apparently has a different inside diameter?? But he claims he gives those specs to his engineer who can build springs with the GS spring rates to fit my application.

Hope this helps

To help me choose a lowered height (should just go with my gut & stick with 2") I think I might start a thread and ask folks to post varies Riviera pics at different ride heights

David

'65 Riviera, Deluxe, A/C

[Guest Rivrunner]

I just ordered a set from Kevin Crane at Coil Spring for 1964 Riviera about three days ago. Stock spring rate plus 1" front and rear. $380 plus $56 in freight to WV. Seemed very forth right. Waiting on delivery. Let you know how they turn out.

[RivNut]

David,

I have not. I'm one of those kind of guys who does a lot of research before spending, and I usually buy things when I get to that point. Other than rare stuff that shows up, I don't like to use my basement as a warehouse.

Starting a post for pictures of lowered cars would be nice. I'd ask everyone who posted a picture to describe in as much detail as possible what kind of springs (drop - rate - etc,) from whom they were purchased (cost), the diameter of the wheels, the size of the tires, and what kind of shocks they're using. This will give you a better idea of where to head with yours.

A 3" drop with 15" wheels and standard size tires will look close to the same as a car with a 1" drop if they're running 20" wheels and approximately the same circumference tire. A car with a 3" drop and 20" tires, in my humble opinion, will look bad because too much of the top of the wheel will be under the fender lip. A lot of what you're after can be accomplished in different ways.

Ed

Edited February 11, 2013 by RivNut (see edit history)

[RockinRiviDad]

Ed,

So, with the research you have completed on buying springs, what way are you leaning towards?

thanks for the "lowered cars" posts advise.

I agree with your 20" wheels statement. I am gonna try for the Hot Rod Raked look. Not too much of a rake. I think I can achieve that with the offset of wheel sizes and/or tire sizes right?

[RockinRiviDad]

Ed, this is my 63 with 2 inch spring drop front and rear from OPGI, if that helps you

Regards

Bob

Bob,

Is your Riv an even ride height front and back? I want a slightly lower front than my rear. your picture #1 looks like the raked look I'm going for. picture #2 looks like a level ride height?? prob an illusion lol what size wheels and tires are you running

thanks

[Guest PRDDETROIT]

Really beautiful car. You've sold me on 2 inch drop springs.

Thanks

Dave

Ed, this is my 63 with 2 inch spring drop front and rear from OPGI, if that helps you

Regards

Bob

[Guest 63 rivenge]

Dave if it helps you, it sits level 8 inches from the ground to the bottom of the Rockers all the way around and thats with a 2 inch drop and new shocks. .......I did not want to go with the 3 inch drop in fear of bottoming out.......if you chose to have it done by a good shop, figure $300- $400 for labor. The rear is easy, the fronts a little bit of work........and thats with 15 inch tires and Vintique 23 Supremes....also remember front lugs are left hand threads

[Guest 63 rivenge]

Dave if it helps you, it sits level 8 inches from the ground to the bottom of the Rockers all the way around and thats with a 2 inch drop and new shocks. .......I did not want to go with the 3 inch drop in fear of bottoming out.......if you chose to have it done by a good shop, figure $300- $400 for labor. The rear is easy, the fronts a little bit of work........and thats with 15 inch tires and Vintique 23 Supremes....also remember front lugs are left hand threads

[Guest PRDDETROIT]

Thanks Bob. I really appreciate it. When I got my supremes, I had to keep reminding the tire shop about the left hand threads. What tires are you running? Mine are 15's. Not sure of the size off hand. I think 225/75/15. The springs I'll do myself. I've done springs on a few different cars. I gotta get the exhaust done first. I think I'm going to do a GS style exhaust minus the resonators and 2-1/4 pipe.

Your car looks great. Thanks for sharing.

Dave

Dave if it helps you, it sits level 8 inches from the ground to the bottom of the Rockers all the way around and thats with a 2 inch drop and new shocks. .......I did not want to go with the 3 inch drop in fear of bottoming out.......if you chose to have it done by a good shop, figure $300- $400 for labor. The rear is easy, the fronts a little bit of work........and thats with 15 inch tires and Vintique 23 Supremes....also remember front lugs are left hand threads

[cool57]

I keep learning. I didn't know there were left handed lugs on my car! Just in front? Also, what is the bolt pattern? I

ass-umed they were 5 on 4.75 (?)

[RivNut]

Front and rear both are left hand threads on 1963's only. 5 on 5" bolt pattern.

63's and '64's have a large (almost 3-1/8") hub and corresponding center hole in the wheel. Wheels from '65 and later won't fit on a '63; they have a smaller hub and center hole in the wheel.

'65 and later Rally wheels will need to have the register ring removed to fit on a '63 or '64 hub.

Ed

[Guest PRDDETROIT]

I believe its 4.75 but both front and rear- Left hand side should be Left hand threads with and L stamped in the end of the stud. If not... They've been replaced at some point.

I keep learning. I didn't know there were left handed lugs on my car! Just in front? Also, what is the bolt pattern? I

ass-umed they were 5 on 4.75 (?)

[Guest PRDDETROIT]

Thanks Ed.

I believe its 4.75 but both front and rear- Left hand side should be Left hand threads with and L stamped in the end of the stud. If not... They've been replaced at some point.

[RockinRiviDad]

I just received my GS spec springs -2" from CSS (Coil Spring Specialties) for my non-GS 65 Riv . Ordered on 7/11/13 quoted 2-3 weeks for delivery. 7/23/13 springs were in my garage, woo whoo!

I would like to know how critical is it to replace my coil spring insulators with new ones? I am new to this but noticed that my insulators are still sandwiched in the frame spring perch between a large 1/8" thick metal ring (same size as the insulator) and the frame. I originally thought I would just leave them be and reuse them as is. But now I am second guessing myself on that decision.

Do u recommend reusing the old or trying to get them out to replace them with new ones? Also, if u think I should replace them, do I reuse the metal rings? Not sure what the purpose of the ring is for (maybe to keep the coil from digging thru the insulator?). At first I thought it might be 1/8" spacer but them I found them on both sides.

Lastly where do u recommend buying new insulators? Can I possibly order insulators from another late model/make car (ie Chevy Impala) from a local shop?

Thanks in advance

[Guest PRDDETROIT]

OPGI has the insulators. Not expensive and yes. You should replace them. It helps to stop from squeeking. And reuse the metal rings. Have fun

[Guest PRDDETROIT]

The rubber is probably just stuck to the tower. The should peel out

[RivNut]

Autozone has them as well for half the price. All you need to know is the size. The ones at Autozone are poly, not rubber, from Energy Suspension.

Search: coil spring insulator | Coil Spring Isolator | AutoZone.com

[1965rivgs]

If you find metal shims in the spring pockets you should not use them on new springs unless necessary, which is not likely. The factory used the spring shims to correct ride height when springs which were at the extreme ends of the acceptable specs were used at assembly....or in the field if a customer complained about uneven ride height.

Tom

[RockinRiviDad]

thank you gentlemen (prddetroit, rivnut, 1965rivgs)

I peeled out the insulators along with the 1/8" rings/spacers/shims. Carried them into the local Autozone and O'Reilly's. They did not have anything on the shelf but tomorrow I will see what they have that came the closest as per their computer. They will be sent from their neighboring stores.

Tom - Do you think that the 1/8" rings could be spacers? I found one on the left and right side...guess that doesn't mean much. I thought they were meant more to protect the rubber insulator.