Topic: 1968 San Jose GT 390 Fastback NOS Leaf Springs vs Repro

[Coralsnake]

What are the -Y springs from? I think I have a pair

[bullitt68]

This should be one of the possible springs you'll be looking for - C7ZA-5556-AS

Often what was installed but it depends on what options your car came with in addition to being a very late GT 390 4 speed fastback. Things like AC and PS often are part of the differences. Picture is also from a San Jose built (and supplier) example

Great thanks Jeff. I wonder what the chances are I would find a correct stamped bottom leaf. I am almost tempted to just use the springs I have that came out of my car. They are not original or NOS and I have no idea who made them. The one thing I do know is that the ride height is perfect.  I was thinking of just media blasting them and metal treating them and using the correct after market straps etc. In the mean time if I can find a correct lower spring or full leaf spring set I could us those. Unfortunately I can't reach the guy who was selling the NOS set to confirm if the springs do have a stamp on the bottom leaf. For me the most important factors are no paint on the leafs and correct straps. Hopefully this is an acceptable practice. So far it has not been an easy task, but I would like to get some springs in place so I can make my car a roller. I could use temporally springs of course, but ideally I would prefer to just do it once if possible.

Thanks Jeff

[bullitt68]

What are the -Y springs from? I think I have a pair

As in  a pair you would with?

[preaction]

This should be one of the possible springs you'll be looking for - C7ZA-5556-AS

Often what was installed but it depends on what options your car came with in addition to being a very late GT 390 4 speed fastback. Things like AC and PS often are part of the differences. Picture is also from a San Jose built (and supplier) example

How would the date on this spring be read?

[bullitt68]

All of the NOS service replacement springs I have ever had were stenciled with a part number similar to the picture.They are typically a one size fits all type item. I would be surprised if the number stamped into the metal of the bottom leaf of the NOS set is the same as the one original to your car. You may want to confirm before considering making a offer for purchase. If they are not the same like I suspect then the value to you or for that matter anyone else considering the one size fits various applications status would be diminished over a NOS assemblyline set. In that case one of the close reproduction sets with a transplanted bottom leaf would make the most sense from a historical stand point IMO.   

Hi Bob turns out the guy wants $250.00 per NOS spring. I am waiting for confirmation that it has the stamping on the small leaf and I am interested in buying them now. How do the clamps/straps look you in the photos. I will try to get better photos

I also found these for sale. Let me know what you think. These are 350.00 for the set

Thanks

[Bob Gaines]

Hi Bob turns out the guy wants $250.00 per NOS spring. I am waiting for confirmation that it has the stamping on the small leaf and I am interested in buying them now. How do the clamps/straps look you in the photos. I will try to get better photos

I also found these for sale. Let me know what you think. They are the same price as the NOS ones

Thanks

I haven't researched your application but based on Jeffs #29 reply it looks like those would be what you want.  The spring clamps are ones of the original type styles referred to as square hole for the hole that the tab folds over on . There is also a round hole style.   I am not sure  which style would be typical for 68 SJ . If they were supposed to be the round hole style exact repros are available. I would want to know if they are all original or if the bottom plate has been transferred. If all original you run the risk of a nice restored set that sags when installed.  A nice repro set with a bottom plate replaced would be the next best thing to a NOS set with the correct bottom plate stamping IMO. Just some of my thoughts on the subject.

[bullitt68]

NOS leaf spring update. Here is a photo of the stamping on the bottom leaf on the NOS springs in Question. I am going to lok at them tomorrow. He has only sent me the 2 photos of them I have posted so I am not really sure how they look overall, what shape they are in etc. Just curious if there is anything I need to know about the stamp or if there are any flags etc.

Thanks

[J_Speegle]

NOS leaf spring update. Here is a photo of the stamping on the bottom leaf on the NOS springs in Question. I am going to lok at them tomorrow. He has only sent me the 2 photos of them I have posted so I am not really sure how they look overall, what shape they are in etc. Just curious if there is anything I need to know about the stamp or if there are any flags etc.

Have seen this same stamping and shape of the short leaf on other early service replacement/NOS rear springs installed on a couple of 68s (different plants)

- First off the shape of the short leaf is shaped differently (flat ends) that what we typically find on 68 San Jose springs

- Stamping is reverses from assembly line springs


Do have one example with short leaf shaped like this on a J code San Jose 68 but can't be sure its original and the picture does not show the stamping

[bullitt68]

Have seen this same stamping and shape of the short leaf on other early service replacement/NOS rear springs installed on a couple of 68s (different plants)

- First off the shape of the short leaf is shaped differently (flat ends) that what we typically find on 68 San Jose springs

- Stamping is reverses from assembly line springs


Do have one example with short leaf shaped like this on a J code San Jose 68 but can't be sure its original and the picture does not show the stamping

I wish I had a better pic, that was all I was able to get from the seller so far. Depending what shape they are in will determine if I will buy them. Not sure how important the paint stamp is on top. I am looking to have leaf springs that look fresh and restored like the rest of the car. So I can buy these NOS units, or buy the other used set, or just buy the correct bottom spring. Then either rebuild mine or use a brand new set with the correct stamped bottom spring. Just trying to make the best choice and spend the money wisely and get the best result.

Thanks for all your help it is greatly appreciated

[J_Speegle]

......................Not sure how important the paint stamp is on top. I am looking to have leaf springs that look fresh and restored like the rest of the car. ............

If your referring to the stenciled part number applied to service replacements you going to remove it anyway during the restoration of the springs. So IMHO makes no difference

Have you confirmed that the -AT application is correct for your specific car and options?

[bullitt68]

If your referring to the stenciled part number applied to service replacements you going to remove it anyway during the restoration of the springs. So IMHO makes no difference

Have you confirmed that the -AT application is correct for your specific car and options?

No I am note sure how to determine what part number would be correct for my application. The bottom original springs I can buy are AS stamps

[J_Speegle]

No I am note sure how to determine what part number would be correct for my application. The bottom original springs I can buy are AS stamps

Sorry - the ones in the picture you posted as a AT so I must have misunderstood

[bullitt68]

Sorry - the ones in the picture you posted as a AT so I must have misunderstood

Sorry Jeff. The photo I just posted are AT stamps and they are the NOS bottom springs. The AS stamp are from the used complete set

[bullitt68]

As mentioned earlier service replacements/later NOS will often be stamped differently than factory - Example below

Hi Jeff. Just checking to see if these leaf springs could be original or NOS. I have not seen this type of stamp before.

[J_Speegle]

Hi Jeff. Just checking to see if these leaf springs could be original or NOS. I have not seen this type of stamp before.

Don't recall ever seeing one stamped like that - horizontal with the leaf, no date and no Ford oval even on a replacement.

Doesn't look like what was used in 68 at San Jose typically