Front coils for 71 chevelle?

[kustom71]

Ive been searching this forum for an easy to understand way to decide what spring rate i would like to have for my chevelle with a 475BB.I will eventually get a vintage air setup the motor does not have anything aluminum except for serpentine brackets and manifold.
Im at a loss!
Is it all trial and error?
I currently have a b-body drop spindle disk brake setup i will be using and I also have hotchkis small block 1"drop springs.Hotchkis says the rate on them is 512lbs.
Will it make much difference to use them or would I need to get the BB springs?
I havent even decided what to get for the rear
This will mostly be street driven I wish I could have it done for the RTTS!!!
I will be there but probably not with my car.
Im just looking for any recommendations?
Ive seen what other guys have done with similar setups and If I go that way I will have many more Questions
Thanks for any help!

[Bryce]

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When I choose spring rates I do (two) calculations.

First what is the weight of the car at that axle. Divide that number by 2. this gives you F (force or weight)

Since F=kx next is to determine the amount fo droop you want or the shock has. This amount of droop gives you the minimum preload on the spring at ride height. If you have 3" of droop you dont want the spring to become unloaded. take F/x=K. K is your MAXIMUM spring rate.

Now this is where personal preference comes in. I design around a 1G bump. How much travel do you have in your shocks from ride to full compression, this is your x for the next equation. Take F times 1G, or whatever number you want to design around. F/x=K this is you MINIMUM spring rate. Now you have a range.

The only way to adjust this is to adjust your shock length and your shock length at ride height.