leaf spring finish for '68 Charger
#132189
10/04/08 04:26 PM
10/04/08 04:26 PM
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 8,828
Houston, Tx
hemi68charger
OP
master
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OP
master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 8,828
Houston, Tx
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Hey gang.....
I know this has probably been discussed before, but I'd like a fresh perspective... I'm about to restore my original leaf springs on my '68 Hemi Charger R/T.. I have the rebuilt kit. But, should they be natural all the way, the leaf's painted black individually and then all the hardware left natural or everything put together and then the complete assemblies painted black?
I didn't see any evidence of black paint on the leaf springs when I started cleaning them up this past week....
Thanks..
TroyHouston Mopar Connection Club'69 Charger Daytona 440 - auto - 4.10 Dana (now with 426 hemi) '69 Charger 500 440 - 4speed - 3.54 Dana '70 Road Runner 383 - 4speed - a/c (now with 440)
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Re: leaf spring finish for '68 Charger
[Re: GMP440]
#132191
10/04/08 08:19 PM
10/04/08 08:19 PM
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 8,828
Houston, Tx
hemi68charger
OP
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OP
master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 8,828
Houston, Tx
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Quote:
On my 68' Coronet the leaves were semi-gloss black. This was a St' Louis built car if that makes a difference.
Do you remember off the top of your head if the clamps were painted as well indicting the complete spring assembly was painted once assembled?
yes, my Hemi Charger R/T is a St. Louis built car.
Thanks.......
TroyHouston Mopar Connection Club'69 Charger Daytona 440 - auto - 4.10 Dana (now with 426 hemi) '69 Charger 500 440 - 4speed - 3.54 Dana '70 Road Runner 383 - 4speed - a/c (now with 440)
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Re: leaf spring finish for '68 Charger
[Re: RJS]
#132198
10/05/08 05:04 PM
10/05/08 05:04 PM
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,123
Warrenton, VA
RoadRunnerJD
master
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master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,123
Warrenton, VA
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Quote:
Here's my 69 Coronet set-up. I sandblasted the springs and individuly sprayed them with Seymour stainless steel paint and then assembled with a kit I got from R/T Specialties. There wasn't any trace of black on mine originally.
My A12 (7500 mile original) had black in between when I took them apart. There were traces of black between the springs and shock mounting plates. I wouldn't say they were painted but the steel was black. Assuming they weren't painted, I left the clamps natural and cleared them. I used Eastwoods zinc phosphate spray paint and I think the springs look natural and darker like you would expect treated spring steel to look.
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Re: leaf spring finish for '68 Charger
[Re: hemi68charger]
#132201
10/05/08 07:43 PM
10/05/08 07:43 PM
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 8,828
Houston, Tx
hemi68charger
OP
master
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OP
master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 8,828
Houston, Tx
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Thanks ya'll... There are some great pics there for me to decide on what I want to do.... I cleaned up my hangers, but I think I"ll get the new hangers and swap out the studs....
Troy
TroyHouston Mopar Connection Club'69 Charger Daytona 440 - auto - 4.10 Dana (now with 426 hemi) '69 Charger 500 440 - 4speed - 3.54 Dana '70 Road Runner 383 - 4speed - a/c (now with 440)
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Re: leaf spring finish for '68 Charger
[Re: THESHAKERPROJECT]
#132202
10/05/08 08:04 PM
10/05/08 08:04 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,044
At a gas station near you
badblack68
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,044
At a gas station near you
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Quote:
If they were black they were painted as an assembly, clamps and all at the same time. On most of the cars I have seen there was no trace of black anware..they were natural. If you gat a set of new ones ,Eaton is the only mfg that has original lookin springs and you will still need to change the clamps and the bottom leaf to retain your part number. ESPO and others use a GM styled leaf ends (round )and painted springs. If you restore your springs use the stainless steel spray on them and then install the silver zink clamps.
I just went out and took a look at my ESPO hemi style springs on my 68 Charger and they have square ends like my originals.
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Re: leaf spring finish for '68 Charger
[Re: A12]
#132204
10/06/08 09:39 PM
10/06/08 09:39 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 920
Grafton, OH
lmn6pack
super street
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super street
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 920
Grafton, OH
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Quote:
I've been told that '68 B-body leaf springs were natural and (most?) '69's were black.......I just did my '68 road runner's leaf springs with a cast color (natural or as best as I could do for a natural look), I hope it's correct  
Mike,
You did the right thing! Springs for 68 are generally natural with front hanger and shackles also being natural. Bottom shock plates are gloss black and U bolts are natural. However, spring clamps are natural and have a darker tint
than the spring. 69 and 70's have a mix of black and natural leaning towards more black in the 70's. We all know especially with Mopar there are always exceptions to the rule. 
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