Anybody know what the convention is for Moog springs: Is the part number stamped in the top or the bottom of the spring? I did a search and I understand I want to cut one coil off the top of my 638's, just to stiffen them a little and lower the ride height a little. I'm just not sure which end is up, or if it matters.

The closed end goes up into the frame seat. The opened end sets in the lower control arm.

Closed end from the side (flat): |///// Open end this side (uncut coil).

Everett,

Please clarify if he is to cut the bottom part of his spring that is open or the top part that is closed..

pdq67

PS., I mention this b/c I cut my bottom's but now realize that if I woulda cut the closed top's it would'nt have dropped as much.. My #5536's are one full coil from the bottoms shorter now!!

I have cut both ways without incident, but if I was to do it again, I would only cut from the bottom. You dont have to cut a full coil and it will still fit in the control arm groove. If you cut the top, you lose the leading coil, and the flat edge that fits in the frame groove.

My bad; as ohscott stated:
I would only cut from the bottom. If you cut the top, you lose the leading coil, and the flat edge that fits in the frame groove.
Flat end is the top, other end to the pocket in the lower control arm.

I guess to clarify my situation, I should say that both ends of my 638's were "closed" or flat. On one end, the flat coil may have been a miniscule fraction of an inch closer to the next coil. This was the end that did NOT have the Moog part number stanped in it.

Because both ends were pretty much the same, I left the end with the part number stamping alone and cut the other end, directly under/next to the end of the first, flat coil. So, they are slightly shorter (less than 1 inch) but the coils end in the same position as before.

I will try what the majority have recommended, and put the still flat, uncut end up in the frame pocket and the cut end in the LCA pocket. After I get the suspension back together, I'll sit the big block in and see what I've got.

I cut the coils on my 68 SB car many years ago, before I had the first clue about what I was doing. Looking back now, I cut too much off (1.5 or 2 coils). The stance was great, but I changed the rate too much (I don't know what those springs were to start) and it rode poorly. Very much like when I lowered the front of an old Volare I had by cranking down the torsion bars.

Thanks once again for the input, and I'll let you know how I make out.