Front Coils Rubbing on 78 Nova

[Varkwso]

I installed new springs from PST into my son's 1978 Nova. They are the stock springs for a 350 Nova. We removed one coil from the new springsbefore installation. They were replacing the 6 cylinder springs the car came with. I now have both front springs rubbing on the front of the upper spring pocket. I am pretty sure the springs are seated in the upper and lower pockets. I installed them without the engine/trans in the car - compression was a challenge!

Everything is now in the car - and when I went to align I noticed the spring rubbing in the front.

Any ideas how I managed to do this?

Thanks!

[dhardison]

Sounds like they may not be seated in the upper pocket properly. I know you checked, but with your hand, if you feel around the spring at the opening of the upper spring pocket, do you have equal space all around? Probably a dumb question since you have rubbing there huh?

When having to compress the coil, especially if your compressing the old fashioned way (brute force), it is VERY difficult to get the coil seated properly in the upper pocket (or lower pocket for that matter). If it's not seated properly it might move and seat itself over time, but probably not.

I've used PST 'factory' coils in the past and they are WAY tall. They made my old '69 Nova look like a 4x4 in the front. The front end measured 1.5" ABOVE FACTORY ride height after I installed them.

[Varkwso]

Sounds like they may not be seated in the upper pocket properly. I know you checked, but with your hand, if you feel around the spring at the opening of the upper spring pocket, do you have equal space all around? Probably a dumb question since you have rubbing there huh?

When having to compress the coil, especially if your compressing the old fashioned way (brute force), it is VERY difficult to get the coil seated properly in the upper pocket (or lower pocket for that matter). If it's not seated properly it might move and seat itself over time, but probably not.

I've used PST 'factory' coils in the past and they are WAY tall. They made my old '69 Nova look like a 4x4 in the front. The front end measured 1.5" ABOVE FACTORY ride height after I installed them.

I agree on the too tall part - I wish I had cut two coils off. I will if I have to take it apart to readjust the dang things.

I used coil spring compressors and floor jack on the lower a-arm - while trying not to knock it off the jack stands. It will be easier with an engine in the car.

There is definitely not any space in the front of the spring - it is funny both springs seated incorrectly to the front - just lucky I guess.

[dhardison]

I agree on the too tall part - I wish I had cut two coils off. I will if I have to take it apart to readjust the dang things.Been there, done that, too many times....


I used coil spring compressors and floor jack on the lower a-arm - while trying not to knock it off the jack stands. It will be easier with an engine in the car.Hehe, yeah working with spring compressors is scary/dangerous enough without having to worry about the car falling off the stands.


There is definitely not any space in the front of the spring - it is funny both springs seated incorrectly to the front - just lucky I guess.Unfortunately your going to have to get the car re-aligned once things seat properly, especially if you whack another coil. If you drive the car the way it is too long, it's possible to wear a hole in the shock body (don't ask how I know....)

Good luck!!

[Varkwso]

Been there, done that, too many times....

Hehe, yeah working with spring compressors is scary/dangerous enough without having to worry about the car falling off the stands.

Unfortunately your going to have to get the car re-aligned once things seat properly, especially if you whack another coil. If you drive the car the way it is too long, it's possible to wear a hole in the shock body (don't ask how I know....)

Good luck!!

I only wish coils were the only thing I had to troubleshoot on the car:drive2: - suspension is dirty but pretty simple. I was going to have to pull it apart to get the nose down some more anyway.

It is going back to my engine builder today or tomorrow due to a overheating problem (less than 100 miles on motor). The carb (a road Demon) has been a real PITA - runs incredibly rich - and the trans (same builder as the motor) does not like to shift out of first until 50 MPH or 2nd until 80 mph....

I bought a brand new 1978 Nova Rally with a 4spd for less than I put in this car this year already!:headbang:

[6'9"Witha69]

What trans is in the Nova??

[Varkwso]

What trans is in the Nova??

fresh Turbo 350 with a mild shift kit....

[Varkwso]

Cut another coil off (2 total from "stock") yesterday, reseated the coils correctly in the car :hand: and man does it look better - nice drop in the front end and drives so much better. It is definitely goes better as a two person job:hammer:

Fixed the "overheat" problem - new radiator cap would not hold pressure - now I have another new radiator cap that does.

Trans shifts great now - modulator issue...

The Demon carb is in a box waiting till after the Christmas rush - the Holley on there now runs great. Put the third set of plugs in at ~300 miles due to the demon...runs great now.

[dhardison]

Glad everything worked out ok. Do you have any pics of your '78 you can post?

Here's a pic of my friends '77. It's one sweet Disco Nova. I think the vanity plate is cool as well.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2006/12/Rich-1.jpeg

[Varkwso]

Glad everything worked out ok. Do you have any pics of your '78 you can post?

Here's a pic of my friends '77. It's one sweet Disco Nova. I think the vanity plate is cool as well.

http://www.danhardison.com/G04_all/Rich.jpeg

That is one great looking Nova Rally - I bought one brand new in 1978 (Green with same gold Stripes as the picture) with F41 suspension, G80 posi (3.08 gears best available then) and a 4 speed. Wish I had kept it....

Our '78 Nova looks a lot like the '71 or '72 on the Hot Rod Power Tour (and in several mags) on the outside at the moment. I will try to get some pictures posted. It was originally silver blue and Jake wants to go back with that color.

Know of a source for headlight surrounds/rings and grills (any nice grill will do!) for these Disco Novas?

We finally have a decent set of standard tailights(2 wide) in the car - the housings in the trunk disintegrate with time. My Nova Rally was the Nova custom package with the three tailights (plus a few few lights and more insulation) - those were not real common in '78 and even less rare now...