Did a bumper swap, question about springs

Discussion in 'Technical' started by redfivexw, Aug 7, 2017.

  1. redfivexw

    redfivexw Member

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    Hi everyone!
    I did a bumper swap on my 74 comet recently, and although all the parts installed pretty well and it looks good, i noticed that the front end sits up a lot higher now. I got to thinking that the springs were different on the 74 vs the 72 the bumper came off due to the added weight of the bumper assembly. I looked up the parts and it does show two different part numbers for the springs. My question is, can i just order the springs for the 72 (moog 8088) and install them in place of the current ones or is there anything else different i need to adjust for?
     
  2. Krazy Comet

    Krazy Comet Tom

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    I'd bet it's just a illusion, even a 50lb change isn't going to be noticeable... No doubt(at least in my mind) the bottom of bumper is higher from ground so looks higher...

    To check for sure toss a 50lb bag of whatever on the hood and see how much height changes...
     
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  3. Craig Selvey

    Craig Selvey Indiana State Rep - MCCI

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    I bet NEW springs would make it set up high as well. I would recommend cutting your existing springs down some. How much you want it to drop will determine how much to cut.
     
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  4. rthomas771

    rthomas771 Member

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    I cut 2 coils off the Moog 8088's to get out of the nosebleed section.

    20045671.jpg
     
  5. redfivexw

    redfivexw Member

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    There is no way this is an illusion, it sits up quite high. I noticed that 70-73 and 74-up have different springs, and that the 74 up are 1.5" taller then the 70-73. I considered just cutting my springs, but figured they were 50 years old and for $75 i might as well replace them if they were coming out.
     
  6. Crazy Larry

    Crazy Larry Member

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    It is quite common with the big bumper cars that when swapping for smaller bumpers, the front raises up. Cutting a coil is pretty much the only way to remedy the situation. You may want to go conservative and cut 3/4 of a coil.
     
  7. Craig Selvey

    Craig Selvey Indiana State Rep - MCCI

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    I think even after buying new springs, you will still need to cut them, as others have had to do.....and I have had to do as well.
     
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  8. stumanchu

    stumanchu Stuart

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    I just put 8088s in my car. It is a 74 with small bumpers, 302 with iron heads, and has had a 1" shelby drop. I wanted to see how it looked before cutting the springs, so they are un-cut. I will get it on the road this weekend and take a pic.....it is currently on uneven ground, so a pic now might be lying. I think I am going to like it the way it is....we shall soon see.
     
  9. redfivexw

    redfivexw Member

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    That would be great if you could post the pics! I had read all the write ups on bumper swaps and i never saw it mentioned that the springs would need to be cut/changed. It seems obvious now due to the extra weight of the bumper assembly vs the small bumper. I appreciate all the advice!
     
  10. COMETIZED

    COMETIZED Member

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    Hi Redfive:
    I have a 74 Comet also .. and I performed a bumper swap and afterwards I ' Weighed" the bumpers and their metal Inserts and was surprised that the weight was 88 pounds. That made a difference in my front end height also .. I trimmed my coil springs and everything is great ! Just my 2 cents ..
    Cometized
    ( Chip )
     
  11. rthomas771

    rthomas771 Member

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    I got 89 pounds...somebodies scales are wrong.

    [​IMG]
     
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  12. jasonwthompson

    jasonwthompson Member

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    Nope, there is at least a pound of rust there.
     
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  13. Maverick Dude

    Maverick Dude Member

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    Yes, rust is iron oxide. The rusted material will weigh more because of the weight of the the oxygen in the FeO2 molecule. However, in real life the rust is weaker than the steel and will eventually flake off and reduce the weight of the item. Now to get a life. :stirthepot:

    MD
     
  14. stumanchu

    stumanchu Stuart

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    Just keep in mind that my car has had a shelby drop (lowers car by 3/8?), iron heads, and the battery is still in the front. If I put in aluminum heads, at that time I might have wished I cut a little off, but at the moment I like it.
     

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  15. redfivexw

    redfivexw Member

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    Thanks for the pics. It helps. I think i am going to see what it looks like with the new springs installed (no cutting) and go from there. I agree that if i kept the stock springs to cut them would be the way to go, and easier.
     

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