I have a 68 Convertible with 215/60-16 tires. The wheel backspacing is 4 inches. Will Hotchkis 1907F springs lower my car onto the tires? I have searched on the subject but have not been able to come up with a solid answer. Thanks in advance.

Yes! Move to a 50 or 45 series tire and you should be fine.

I'm afraid that a 45 Series tire would make the car so low that the headers would drag over small bumps. Is this the only opinion? I have 30+ year old springs now and they are sagging. I thought that the Hotchkis springs would be similar in height, just stiffer. Does anyone how much more the springs lower the car from old, sagging springs?

I put a set on a 69 bb car that was real low to the ground when you went ove a speed bump it would drag,when I replaced them it kept it about the same height but they wer alot stiffer so id didnt drag anymore.Its not so much how much it will raise or lower it it is how stiff they are to a extent.

I have the 2" drop springs on my '69 and ran 215/60/15's on 15x7 4.5 bs without a rub... I know others with 235/60/15's with 2"drop with no problems. The inner fender bolt heads may be a rub point if you have worn body bushing. also over all suspension condition comes to play in all this...

The proper backspacing has everything to do with clearance. With 4" backspacing the tire will be almost directly under the fender lip if you use the Hotchkis springs. I ran a 215/50/15 tire on a 15x7 with 4" backspacing...they rubbed under full compression slightly.

Measure your current center spindle to fender lip height (measure from the hub center). On my car with Hotckis drop springs the measurement is 13.25 inches. Compare the two measurements and that will give you some idea of how low (sag) your current springs are sitting and the resulting tire clearance.

Thanks guys. I think that I am going to take my chances. This is a car that my father and I are working on together. He is busy with work and his machine shop on the side, so i do the research on stuff like this. Unfortunately, when it came time to order wheels and tires, the tire salesmen talked my dad out of buying the 225/16-55 tires and going with a 215/16-60. He also talked him out of a 16x7 4.5 inch backspacing wheel and sold him the one with the 4 inch backspacing. I guess no one trusts a 17 year old kid! The car is getting a new bushing kit and already has new poly body mounts so i am going to order them, give them a shot, and hope for the best!

If you decide to order them dont forget Im rinning a hotchkis deal in this foroum. smile.gif

Sorry crowenate (sp), but since my father has a machine shop, we also get them below jobber price, as we often order parts from large warehouses like MotorState.