Multi-leaf springs questions

[Bill Rose]

I understand the 69 Nova's had 3 rear springs. Mono leaf, 4 leaf, and 5 leaf. I am trying to figure out which multi leaf springs I should use for my 69 Nova project. I'm confused on the rear sway bars too. Is the 5 leaf and sway bar part of a suspension package, like F41? If I get 4 or 5 leaf springs, are the spring perches/brackets on the rear housing the same?

[Salvatore]

I have 5 leaf on my survivor SS Bill. I don't believe the 69's got sway bars though. Mine does not. I also don't remember seeing 4 leafs on a 69 nova just mono and 5 if I can remember correctly. I think the camaros could get 5,4 and 1.

[Nova Jed]

Mono perches are different from the multi perches. I would have to say that wether you use 4 or 5 leaf, most of what is different would be the thickness of the rubber insulators that go in the spring perch and between the springs and shock plate.

[ban617]

I believe that the 3 leafs are replacements for the mono leafs.. At least they were on my 66 nova... On 69 nova's have only ever saw mono & multi (5) leaf springs ... The bottom shock brackets have a stud single bracket and the mono have double shear brackets

[WILMASBOYL78]

Bill...I'm pretty sure this is how it works;
(from Greg Roberts)
69 L78 HD F40 had BK coded 5 leaf springs 100 pound rate(Listed as RPO on the spring calculators)

69 L78 Special Purpose F41 (springs and shocks only) had BG coded 4 leaf springs 125 pound rating (listed as HD on my spring calculators on my site)

more info here:
http://chevynova.org/rearsprings.html


There was never a sway bar available in 1969..this started mid-year 1970 and was part of the F41 suspension package.

***there are some really good aftermarket sway bars that look "stock" when installed...we have one on our 68 BB Nova...along with gas shocks and radial tires. The sway bar made a huge improvement in handling and eliminated the body roll from the old setup...I think it would work well on your project...

tom

[Bill Rose]

Ok thanks for the feedback folks. Looks like the 4 leaf springs have a higher rating than the 5 leaf springs. Probably thicker steel, so they fill the perches the same as the 5 leaf springs. I'm looking for stock height. I wonder if the heaver 4 leaf springs lift the rear more?

[92646]

Bill, what are you going to use for wheel hop with the big block power? Have you given any thought to the Calvert split spring and slider? Has anybody else used the set up?

[Bill Rose]

I did look into the split springs Mark, but my new Moser rear is done/set up for multi leaf springs. I believe the split spring is a mono leaf spring only. Right now I'm concentrating on getting the car back on the road. I'll deal with some of the details like wheelhop over the winter. I have a lot to do before the rear wheels are turning.

[WILMASBOYL78]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bill Rose</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Ok thanks for the feedback folks. Looks like the 4 leaf springs have a higher rating than the 5 leaf springs. Probably thicker steel, so they fill the perches the same as the 5 leaf springs. I'm looking for stock height. I wonder if the heaver 4 leaf springs lift the rear more? </div></div>

Bill..the stock ride height for the BB Nova had a slightly &quot;nose up&quot; stance...not much, but enough so you see it.

tom