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Difference in leaf springs

money pit

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Is there a difference between the leaf springs for a 7 1/4 rear end and a 8 3/4? I replaced the 7 1/4 with a 8 3/4. I noticed the rear of the car sits a little lower (front end sits a little higher). The car was originally a slant six. It now has a 360. Do I need to replace the springs? Thanks
 

moparleo

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After 50 years of supporting weight and being the weak slant six springs to begin with, makes sense to upgrade to the proper springs. Not really expensive. Upgrade torsion bars too. Your car will love it.
The front end should settle down after it rolls for as few feet.
 

ted s

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and you didnt answer the question asked
 

moparleo

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OK If your springs are not broken, they don't "need" to be replaced. But they will be weak, especially after 45-50 years of holding a car up.
Was the rear end changed after the engine swap was done ? Or was more than the rear end done at the same time ?
If the rear was the only thing done and now the front end sits high, you are not telling us something.
If you jack up the front of the car by the bumper or chassis and let the suspension drop.
The car will sit higher until you get the front end to settle back down. Normally driving a few feet will do it. Nothing special about it.

This is a list of approximate weights of various complete, assembled Chrysler Corp. engines obtained from various sources.
The 5.2 & 5.9 Magnum engines are not listed but should be slightly lighter than their LA counterparts.
70-71 E-body spring same for 225-383 standard.
72-74 2 different springs available a standard and a Heavy Duty.

Here is a weight chart. 360 weighs 75 lbs. more.

Engine Weight
Chrysler 331 Hemi 700
Chrysler 300 Poly V8 691
Chrysler 354 Poly V8 691 - 700
Chrysler 354 Hemi 720
Chrysler 392 Hemi 740
DeSoto 276-341 Poly V8 675
DeSoto 276-291 Hemi 630
DeSoto 330-345 Hemi 670
Dodge 241-325 Poly V8 645
Dodge 241-270 Hemi 580
Dodge 315-325 Hemi 610
Dodge Viper V10 716
Dodge Viper V10 (1997) 648
Dodge truck V10 816 - 836
Mopar Slant Six 475
Mopar 277-301-318 Poly "A" V8 600+ (estimate)
Mopar 273-318-340 "LA" V8 525
Mopar 360 "LA" 550
Mopar 350-361-383-400 "B" V8 620
Mopar 413-426W-440 "RB" V8 670
Mopar Street Hemi 765
 
Last edited:

money pit

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OK If your springs are not broken, they don't "need" to be replaced. But they will be weak, especially after 45-50 years of holding a car up.
Was the rear end changed after the engine swap was done ? Or was more than the rear end done at the same time ?
If the rear was the only thing done and now the front end sits high, you are not telling us something.
If you jack up the front of the car by the bumper or chassis and let the suspension drop.
The car will sit higher until you get the front end to settle back down. Normally driving a few feet will do it. Nothing special about it.

This is a list of approximate weights of various complete, assembled Chrysler Corp. engines obtained from various sources.
The 5.2 & 5.9 Magnum engines are not listed but should be slightly lighter than their LA counterparts.
70-71 E-body spring same for 225-383 standard.
72-74 2 different springs available a standard and a Heavy Duty.

Here is a weight chart. 360 weighs 75 lbs. more.

Engine Weight
Chrysler 331 Hemi 700
Chrysler 300 Poly V8 691
Chrysler 354 Poly V8 691 - 700
Chrysler 354 Hemi 720
Chrysler 392 Hemi 740
DeSoto 276-341 Poly V8 675
DeSoto 276-291 Hemi 630
DeSoto 330-345 Hemi 670
Dodge 241-325 Poly V8 645
Dodge 241-270 Hemi 580
Dodge 315-325 Hemi 610
Dodge Viper V10 716
Dodge Viper V10 (1997) 648
Dodge truck V10 816 - 836
Mopar Slant Six 475
Mopar 277-301-318 Poly "A" V8 600+ (estimate)
Mopar 273-318-340 "LA" V8 525
Mopar 360 "LA" 550
Mopar 350-361-383-400 "B" V8 620
Mopar 413-426W-440 "RB" V8 670
Mopar Street Hemi 765
I replaced the engine about two years ago. I replaced the rear end about a month ago. I jacked up the car by the chassis. I have have driven the car about 10 miles, so the front end should have settled by now. When I replaced the engine I replaced the torsion bars with bars from a B body. Thanks for your input.
 
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