Research Topic: Springs

Several springs were used on 68-72 Novas. GM used an EDP (Electronic Data Processing) process to specially select the right spring for your car based on options ordered. Basically they calculated the overall weight distribution (front and rear) for the car with all of the options on it. The total front and rear weight determined the spring code that was printed on the chassis broadcast sheet. There were 27 different front springs for the 70 Nova alone. Quite a few overlapped with the 69 Camaro. The parts books give some charts to help figure out what spring to use, but they usually only list 3 or 4 service springs. Other than COPO cars which were at the extreme end of the spectrum and had fairly limited options installed, it is harder to determine what spring was on your car once the tag was gone. A 307 with custom interior and AC might use the same spring as a stripped big block car. It all depended on the total options on a car. This means that it is extremely difficult to determine what springs were on your car.

There were mono, four, and five leaf rear springs. The springs were labeled with a paper tag. Examples of these are found in the Nova parts catalogs.

1969 Spring decoders

These decoders will identify what springs could have been on your Nova based on the options installed. If you use the calculator please email the results to let me whether it matches what is on you car or not.

1969 Spring Codes.

Click on the Engine size below to go to the correct spring Calculator:

L4 - 90-hp Turbo-Thrift 153 4-Cylinder (not available yet)

140-hp Turbo-Thrift 230 6-Cylinder(not available yet)

L14 - 200-hp Turbo-Fire 307 8-Cylinder

L22 155-hp Turbo-Thrift 250 6-Cylinder

L65 - 250-hp Turbo-Fire 350 8-Cylinder

L48 - 300-hp Turbo-Fire 350 8-Cylinder

L34 - 350-hp Turbo-Jet 396 8-Cylinder

L78 - 375-hp Turbo-Jet 396 8-Cylinder

1969 Spring Part number Identification Chart

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1970 Spring decoders

L4 - 90-hp Turbo-Thrift 153 4-Cylinder (not available yet)

140-hp Turbo-Thrift 230 6-Cylinder(not available yet)

L14 - 200-hp Turbo-Fire 307 8-Cylinder

L22 155-hp Turbo-Thrift 250 6-Cylinder

L65 - 250-hp Turbo-Fire 350 8-Cylinder

L48 - 300-hp Turbo-Fire 350 8-Cylinder

L34 - 350-hp Turbo-Jet 396 8-Cylinder

L78 - 375-hp Turbo-Jet 396 8-Cylinder

note that codes YB 3955717, YC 3955718, and YD 3955719 are not included. If you feel you have these springs, please contact me.

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1970 Spring Part number Identification Chart

Research Goal:

This Research topic will gather statistical data to try and determine what springs were used on common engine/option combinations. Please use the survey form below to document the rear springs used on your car.

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