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

[TonyH]

So far here is the short list: If anyone has any experience with any of these springs please feel free to chime in. I do plan to strip them and refinish in bare metal.

Scott Drake (Photo 1-4)
Virgina Classic Mustangs (5-8)
JR Springs (9-12)
Eaton (No Photo)

I ordered a set of the springs from VCM and they don't look right at all.  Ends are flared from stamping?  Pictures are attached for reference.  Looking for pictures of the Eaton springs if anyone has any.

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Tony[/img]

[bullitt68]

I ordered a set of the springs from VCM and they don't look right at all.  Ends are flared from stamping?  Pictures are attached for reference.  Looking for pictures of the Eaton springs if anyone has any.

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Tony[/img]

Yikes! I ended up just restoring the originals. I hope they don't sag. They look great, but I ended up painting them

[TonyH]

I wish I could restore mine.  They are currently painted but appear to have heavy pitting under the paint.

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Tony

[bullitt68]

I wish I could restore mine.  They are currently painted but appear to have heavy pitting under the paint.

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Tony

I restored 3 sets. The ones in the photo had no pitting and I was hoping to not paint them, but decided to anyway. The other set I coated in graphite and the 3rd set were very badly pitted. I used high build primer on them and they look just as good as the set in the photos. However I am not sure of the body work will come out of the springs or not. Only one way to find out I guess. I was not able to find any springs that I was happy with how they looked. If I do find some I will order them up and strip the paint and see how they look. Good luck

[TonyH]

I ended up buying a set of the Eaton springs and am currently in the process of stripping them.  They are much closer to originals than the VCM springs without the excessive flaring on the ends.  I'm going to try bluing them to get closer to the darkened finish. Will post pictures if they come out right.

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Tony

[bullitt68]

I ended up buying a set of the Eaton springs and am currently in the process of stripping them.  They are much closer to originals than the VCM springs without the excessive flaring on the ends.  I'm going to try bluing them to get closer to the darkened finish. Will post pictures if they come out right.

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Tony

Nice looking forward to see photos, to compare to original

[TonyH]

After Stripping the first one, I'm wondering if I even need to try and darken them by bluing.  I've attached a picture for comment on whether it's close.

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Tony

[Bob Gaines]

After Stripping the first one, I'm wondering if I even need to try and darken them by bluing.  I've attached a picture for comment on whether it's close.

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Tony

They look pretty close as is but I would like to see them a little darker by bluing given they don't match the darker bottom plate. A closer between the bottom plate and Eaton leafs would be more ideal IMO.

[TonyH]

They look pretty close as is but I would like to see them a little darker by bluing given they don't match the darker bottom plate. A closer between the bottom plate and Eaton leafs would be more ideal IMO.

You're probably right...I'll give it a shot.  Thanks Bob.

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Tony

[bullitt68]

After Stripping the first one, I'm wondering if I even need to try and darken them by bluing.  I've attached a picture for comment on whether it's close.

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Tony

They look great. You can also use graphite to darken them, but the graphite is a dark grey and not as black as the gun bluing I find. Did the leaves come with the bushings pre installed. Obviously you you swapped out your original bot tom leaf.

[TonyH]

They look great. You can also use graphite to darken them, but the graphite is a dark grey and not as black as the gun bluing I find. Did the leaves come with the bushings pre installed. Obviously you you swapped out your original bot tom leaf.

The springs did come with the bushings pre-installed.  Have not tried graphite so will have to try a sample.  The bottom plate on the Eaton spring is the only thing I really don't like about them.  The ends are squared off and the dimple for the rebound clip (I assume that's what its there for) is missing.  Picture attached.  Most are probably going to replace the bottom plate anyway but it's odd that they left those details out.

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Tony