Hi, I'm rebuilding a 67 Camero and would like to replace the stock single-leaf rear springs with multi-leaf springs. I would like any information regarding the installation and what it involves. Will I need to cut,drill, or stagger the shocks? If anyone has done this conversion, are you happy with the results? how did the job go?
Steve

Shock plates can remain the same, which doesn't help the wheel hop, but that's life. The multi-leaf perches are wider and deeper. So, you will have to weld new perches on. Additionally, you will want new upper and lower spring pads and longer u-bolts
You will get more responses in the future if you spell Camaro correctly. Welcome to the site.

Stevo, BoneCrusher is right. I am doing the same thing right now on a 67. I got the deeper perches from Ricks First Generation and they appear to look just like the stock, original perches. I have heard though, that if you use the deeper perches, you don't necessarily need to use U-bolts. You can use the stock T-bolts (I think they are called). I'm having the perches put on right now. I'll let you know how it turns out. It should not be a big deal.

Stevo,

Welcome to the site. What is your driver for wanting to convert to the multi-leaf springs?


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Mark M.
Red 67 Convertible
Red Deluxe Interior
383/Tremec 5 Speed
4 Wheel Disk

Stevo,

Welcome to the site. I have found it a wonderfull resource.

What is your driver for wanting to convert to the multi-leafs?


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Mark M.
Red 67 Convertible
Red Deluxe Interior
383/Tremec 5 Speed
4 Wheel Disk

First of all let me thank Bonecrusher for correcting my spelling, and thank all who replyed for the information! The 67 I'm rebuilding came stock with a 327 rated at 210 h.p. and a three speed Saginaw transmition. Ever since I've owned the car when I start out from a dead stop with any power at all the whole rear of the car shakes violently.In my research I've found that all 67 327s were built with single rear leaf springs, however starting in 68 any V8 rated at greater then 210 h.p. was given the multi-leaf setup. I'm replacing the three speed with a 4 speed Muncie and hoping the multi-leaf setup will eliminate the shakes and improve handleing. Steve

You are correct about all 67s having mono-leafs and wheel hop was a problem but I always heard that wheel hop had more to do with the lack of staggered shocks than the springs.

I wish I could pass on how my new setup drives. I orginally had a 275 HP 327 with a powerglide and never had a problem with wheel hop but this was probably due to the PG. I now have a 435 HP 383 with the Tremec but I just rebuilt the rear with new mono-leafs. I did add a posi and KYB shocks. I'm sure I will have a problem if I really jump on it but then I probably won't do that all that often.

Guy's do a search on this topic. We had a long discusion a while back about it. First of all, I did this back then, and you do not need new perches, the multi springs will fit fine in the old perches. You will need to replace the T-bolts with longer ones though. There was some discussion if you are running really big hp you might want to use U-bolts instead of T-bolts. The hardest part of this swap is removeing the front bolts on the mounts. The best way to do this is just cut them off and buy some of the clip in nuts when you put it back together. Do not cut the floor boards like some have done. You can get the clip in nuts from Ricks First Gen.

Hi,

I just upgraded to multi-leafs on my '68. I outlined the entire project on my new site - Camaro Tech 1st Generation - http://camarotech1.com please drop by and read about it. There's lots of good advice on this topic, but remember that if you do use new spring perches you must be very careful when welding them on. They must be perfectly aligned, and it will be easy to warp the axle tubing. May be a good job for a professional...

Good luck!

Houndog: I just put Cal-Tracs traction bars on my car (requires spring removal) and i didnt remove any of that stuff you say to on the page (rear end, driveshaft, gas tank) what made you take this stuff out?? you can take the springs off with the rear still installed in the car. The one thing that might need to be removed is the gas tank. I was about 10 minutes away from taking it out when i finally got the shackle bolt out. Anyway, i'm just curious as to why you took out the rear and driveshaft.

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67 Camaro
383-SRP Pistons, Manley Rods, Cola Crank, Edelbrock Performer RPM package, Speed Demon 750 dp, MSD Ignition, CalTracs Traction Bars

Hmmm... I guess you have a good point, Ryan. You're saying leave the rear end in, so you don't have to disconnect the brake line and e-brake cable and such? Possibly, it's just that when I get into such a project I like to do some "clean-up". I sandblasted and painted my rear end. Then I sand blasted and painted the undercarriage including above the gas tank. I had painted the engine compartment last time the engine was out, so that's looking pretty good too. I thought the shackles were easier to reach with the gas tank out, plus it was a good chance for me to dump some 10 year old gas (not on the ground of course). Again, good point - it just depends upon what you're trying to accomplish.

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Matt
http://camarotech1.com
Camaro Tech 1st Generation

I used to run traction bars on my 67 sigle leaf car.
The right hand spring seat tore off and the car dropped on the ground!
Maybe you should put at least one U bolt in there!
I think that's why Chevy did it on the 68 and up Camaros.
David

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Check my web page for First Gen Camaro suspension info:
David's Homepage (http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/David_Pozzi/)
67 RS 327
69 Camaro Vintage Racer
65 Lola T-70 Can Am Vintage Racer

Hay Houndog, Thanks for the info. That looks like a good web site too!! Does this D&R outfit you speak of have a web site or an address that I could get a catalogue from? I've been doing a little more research and found a great artical about a little known option for 67 called L30/M20. The guy who wrote the article thinks this may be the precurser to the very first ss. There is a hole section of the article devoted to the problems that Chevy had with the rear mono-leaf spring setup,wheel hop, and what they did to fix the problem. http//www.camaro-untoldsecrets.com/articles/spotlite2.htm Steve

Hi Stevo,

Sorry - I didn't put D&R's address right in the article. http://www.drclassic.com - you can order a catalog right from the front page. And you're right, Untold Secrets has some great articles. There really is a huge community of First-Gen info on the internet. I'm still working on my links page http://camarotech1.com/links.html , I find tons of stuff every time I look (of course this site is one of the absolute best). Everyone send me more links!

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Matt
http://camarotech1.com
Camaro Tech 1st Generation