Bad news on the shackles (...)
"I have no one making the shackles for the cars that are using the offset ones. They only did them in a couple years.
My computer shows you should have the 5-leaf. We don't currently carry the 5-leaf springs, just the 6 or 7 leaf. Either of those is $330 for the matched pair and come with the front bushings pressed in. Front eye bolts are $6/pair; ubolts $20/set of 4(...) The stance would be the same with the 6-leaf, it'd just be a little stiffer. Not too many people put the 5 in so we don't carry it. These are made to US specs in Mexico."
--> I have also got a quote from William at Eaton, but was waiting for answers to the questions below before I post about the info I got.
(...) before I choose between ESPO and Eaton. A few questions:
1. are the front bushings pressed in, or (do I) need to specify a request for that to be done?
2. (what about) shackles?
Well, I got a call back from William today over lunch. He told me that they have been super-busy.
One piece of bad news at Eaton: they do not sell "offset" shackles. The picture of the correct shackles that I had sent to William, courtesy of
@Big_John, was the second time that he was seeing the item -- but Eaton do not carry it. I suggested that they should, but that won't help in time for me to redo the springs.
The initial Eaton quote with the full install kit (including incorrect shackles) was $730 (including shipping to
@71Polara383's shop and tax). It only got down to $707 without the shackles and the shackle bushings, because the install kit (which includes them) "has a big discount included" (
dixit William). Useless for a 1970 ragtop, good news for the owners of 1969 'verts. The front bushings are pressed in, and the Eaton quote is the same for 5 or 7 leaf springs. I have asked Laura to give me a matching quote, as the $356 she quoted are without S&H or tax.
(Edit: I got the quote, the total is $502.27 -- "$375 for the 6-leaf springs, front eye bolts, rear shackle bushings and ubolts plus $127.27 for shipping")
The ESPO springs for the 1970 'verts are made in Mexico per Laura, and the Eaton Springs are made in the States per William.
My plan is to order a "factory correct" Eaton pair of springs for Regina and a 6-leaf ESPO set for Snow White (which has a stronger engine and which sports RWL ties and a woodgrain wheel). I could order 7-leaf sets from both manufacturers, which would probably be a better deal by weight
, but I like my C-bodies to ride not too stiffly.
It'll be interesting to make a comparison between the two. I plan to order on Monday and should get the items by the end of the month.
(Edit: I have placed the order, it should take about 3 weeks to ship. I am waiting to talk to William at Eaton tomorrow given the bushing issue that @1970FuryConv is experiencing in the case of his own 'vert.)