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SAAC HQ => Concours Talk => Topic started by: kasearch@ix.netcom.com on January 27, 2020, 04:22:32 PM

Title: front coil spring marking
Post by: kasearch@ix.netcom.com on January 27, 2020, 04:22:32 PM
what are the color marks for a 69 GT500 front coil springs (Dearborn plant, 6/13 build date if you need this)?
Title: Re: front coil spring marking
Post by: Bob Gaines on January 27, 2020, 04:31:28 PM
Quote from: kasearch@ix.netcom.com on January 27, 2020, 04:22:32 PM
what are the color marks for a 69 GT500 front coil springs (Dearborn plant, 6/13 build date if you need this)?
They are typically the same as regular Mustang given the same engine application . Air or no air would be different markings because they would be different springs.
Title: Re: front coil spring marking
Post by: J_Speegle on January 27, 2020, 04:47:51 PM
Quote from: kasearch@ix.netcom.com on January 27, 2020, 04:22:32 PM
what are the color marks for a 69 GT500 front coil springs (Dearborn plant, 6/13 build date if you need this)?

Good place to start is what body style,  trans, AC or no AC we know PS, engine size and date for this example

If you respond back we can quickly provide the right information ;)
Title: Re: front coil spring marking
Post by: cj750 on January 27, 2020, 09:20:50 PM
My '69 GT500 sportsroof, 4-speed, no a/c, built 06/06/69, had pink and gold stripes on the front springs. FWIW. 
Title: Re: front coil spring marking
Post by: kasearch@ix.netcom.com on January 28, 2020, 02:59:24 PM
car is A/C and P/S with A/T
Title: Re: front coil spring marking
Post by: J_Speegle on January 28, 2020, 03:24:05 PM
Quote from: kasearch@ix.netcom.com on January 28, 2020, 02:59:24 PM
car is A/C and P/S with A/T

So a 428CJ auto, AC - PS and guessing fastback finished at Dearborn 6/13

Looking at buildsheets from other examples from around the same time period with the same specifications i looks like the front springs likely been marked with 1 Gold and 1 Gray stripe


If enough paint was applied with the runs can appear to run upward once the spring is installed as it appears that they were striped (at least the results of) sitting on the flat end of the spring

Hope this helps
Title: Re: front coil spring marking
Post by: kasearch@ix.netcom.com on January 28, 2020, 04:01:33 PM
you da man Jeff.  thanks
Title: Re: front coil spring marking
Post by: Coralsnake on January 28, 2020, 04:08:26 PM
Seems to match the chart...bodystyle is also a factor.

What's that they say about leading a horse to water?

http://www.thecoralsnake.com/69suspension
Title: Re: front coil spring marking
Post by: Special Ed on January 28, 2020, 07:47:21 PM
You da man also Pete  Now u got to figure out what finish the coil springs were .
Title: Re: front coil spring marking
Post by: J_Speegle on January 28, 2020, 07:57:59 PM
Quote from: Special Ed on January 28, 2020, 07:47:21 PM
You da man also Pete  Now u got to figure out what finish the coil springs were .

Pretty certain the majority of them were like the rear springs and just oil quenched heat treated metal. Color would vary depending on how fresh or old the oil was. Of course the finished look would look similar to other finishes from a distance. Guy that laid out San Jose described them as "phosphated coil springs"  thirty years ago while he was redrawing the plant layout. When question - he stated he could not be certain - but that is what they looked like to him at the time.

Later NOS and service ones were painted black (like rear springs) so that they would not surface rust while waiting and sitting on shelves at the dealerships

Haven't taken the time to figure out and test a solution that would test and confirm phosphate coating on steel parts but would like to find time to do this 
Title: Re: front coil spring marking
Post by: Bob Gaines on January 28, 2020, 08:41:03 PM
I would think testing coils with a solvent to see if paint comes off unsrestored coils (not dramatic rusted ones) to eliminate paint from the possible coatings would be helpful in determining if some coils (non service) were painted also or none were. 
Title: Re: front coil spring marking
Post by: J_Speegle on January 28, 2020, 08:55:42 PM
Quote from: Bob Gaines on January 28, 2020, 08:41:03 PM
I would think testing coils with a solvent to see if paint comes off unsrestored coils (not dramatic rusted ones) to eliminate paint from the possible coatings would be helpful in determining if some coils (non service) were painted also or none were.


have done that over 20 times so far. Not bubbling or lifting of the finish as you would expect with paint. On the rougher ones you can chip off the finish as you can on some crustier (likely from using dirty/contaminated oil for quenching) examples and the coating will flake off on those and at times will react to a magnet
Title: Re: front coil spring marking
Post by: Coralsnake on January 28, 2020, 09:07:48 PM
Im not that smart Ed 🤔
Title: Re: front coil spring marking
Post by: Bob Gaines on January 28, 2020, 10:36:06 PM
Quote from: Coralsnake on January 28, 2020, 09:07:48 PM
Im not that smart Ed 🤔
Get on the bus and go to class. ;)
Title: Re: front coil spring marking
Post by: Royce Peterson on January 29, 2020, 11:17:54 AM
This is an NOS Gold / Gray coil that was for sale on eBay last year. The dark color is not paint. It is the result of heat treatment. Notice the hurried / sloppy way the paint is applied. It's good enough for the purpose.

Quote from: J_Speegle on January 28, 2020, 03:24:05 PM
Quote from: kasearch@ix.netcom.com on January 28, 2020, 02:59:24 PM
car is A/C and P/S with A/T




So a 428CJ auto, AC - PS and guessing fastback finished at Dearborn 6/13

Looking at buildsheets from other examples from around the same time period with the same specifications i looks like the front springs likely been marked with 1 Gold and 1 Gray stripe


If enough paint was applied with the runs can appear to run upward once the spring is installed as it appears that they were striped (at least the results of) sitting on the flat end of the spring

Hope this helps
Title: Re: front coil spring marking
Post by: Royce Peterson on January 29, 2020, 11:20:30 AM
LOL looks like the parking lot next to Roush's shop. And that guy in the window of the short bus kinda looks like Ed.


Quote from: Bob Gaines on January 28, 2020, 10:36:06 PM
Quote from: Coralsnake on January 28, 2020, 09:07:48 PM
Im not that smart Ed 🤔
Get on the bus and go to class. ;)
Title: Re: front coil spring marking
Post by: Special Ed on January 29, 2020, 12:25:31 PM
Yes and the red (SLOW) octagon sign on the short bus reminds me of specialed now days  BUT I used to be FAST EDDIE back in the day!!
Title: Re: front coil spring marking
Post by: Bob Gaines on January 29, 2020, 01:39:30 PM
Quote from: Special Ed on January 29, 2020, 12:25:31 PM
Yes and the red (SLOW) octagon sign on the short bus reminds me of specialed now days  BUT I used to be FAST EDDIE back in the day!!
Aren't we all .Aren't we all. ::) ;D