Hello everyone, I need to know if there is any difference in coil springs between a 6 cylinder truck and one that has a V8 in it.

and if it's not too much trouble does anyone know the weight difference between a 240 3spd combo and a 289 c4 combo.

Thanks and Happy New Year!

 

Bill, I dont know about the weight of the engine combos, but the springs is a different story...originally the springs were marked with paint stripes somewhere on them...on 65-6 trucks there were 3 different rates used depending on the rating of the truck...the lightest setup have 1055# ratings...these were used ONLY on 65-6 1/2 and 3/4 ton 6 cyl trucks...their stripes are yellow on the right and blue on the left spring.
The 2nd rating is for 1175# ratings...used on 6 and 8 cyl 1/2 and 3/4 ton trucks. On these trucks the color coding is Red on the RH spring and gray on the LH.
The 3rd rating is 1250# rating...it was used thru the 68 model year on 1/2 and 3/4 ton trucks with V8s. The RH spring color code is orange...this particular spring was also used on 69-71 generation 1/2 and 3/4 tons before unit M00,001. Its color was orange on the later year trucks as well.
The LH spring is color coded green. These are all stripes on the springs according to the books.
The LH spring used with the 1250# rating was superceded. Its replacement was used on 69-71 V8 2WD trucks only...it has 2 red stripes on it also before unit M00,001.
There are a few different ratings which used the springs with 2 red stripes in the 69-71 model years. But the above should give you a fairly broad range of trucks to look through for springs in wrecking yards...


Hope this helps ya Bill...


- cs65

 

What F Series truck came with a 289? None.

1969 was the first year for the 302, it was only used in F100's thru 1974.

All 1965/79 F100/250 2WD's used the same front springs. **

But...there are different load rates, the engine size makes no difference.

Common F100/250 load rates: 1055 lbs. / 1175 lbs. / 1215 lbs. / 1300 lbs. / 1575 lbs.

Do not waste time looking for used springs, at this stage of the game, they'll be no better than what you have now.

New springs are available from several aftermarket suppliers.

Ford's method of ID'ing front springs was just ducky when these trucks were new.

By now...most of the ID bands of color on the springs will be faded away, or covered up by surface rust and/or road grime.

** Ford replaced many of the original front springs used on 1965/72's with springs that fit 1973/79's.

The only real difference was the load rate was increased slightly.

Examples: 1965/72's 1175 lbs. went to 1973/79's 1200 lbs. / 1965/72's 1250 lbs. went to 1973/79's 1300 lbs.

Since they all will fit, all you need to do is pick out the load rate and you're all set.

 

Bill, Don, Thank you! that does help, i thought there was different load ratings for F100's-250's- and so on.... I cant imagine there is much of a difference between the weight of engine tranny combo's, I cant belive that i am going to take a completely stock truck and mod it with a 289 v8.... but at least it will have a 65 vintage motor and trans in it, and everyone in the family will be able to drive and enjoy it,

 

Coil spring application examples from the '64/72 Ford truck parts catalog.

1965/72 F100/250 2WD 6 or V8 / Load Rate 1055 lbs: C5TZ5310J R/S & C5TZ5310K L/S.

1965/72 F100/250 2WD 6 or V8 / Load Rate 1300 lbs: (2) C5TZ5310N.

These are just two examples, there's not one application that lists F100's and F250's separate from each other.

All the applications show: F100/250.

 

Bill
In the last 2 months I have seen 3 later model f series trucks with 289 c4 setups so it must be a relatively common swap.

 

Considering I've read around 100,000 posts on FTE in two years, I haven't seen more than one or two refs to a 289 swap in any F Series truck.

One other thing...there is no way to tell a 289 from a 302 by appearance.

The 302/C4 combo was first offered in 1969, used thru 1974 on F100's only.

1975/79, both the F100 & F150 came with this combo.

 

The small block is lighter than the six anyway, and it will sit further back when mounted. I don't know the weight but I have carried both through a shop before.

 

By yourself?

 

My first truck had a 302 with auto setup. It was a 1970. Had mostly sixes since then. There is a 65 in the scrap yard here with a 289 w/ auto setup. Could be a 302, but who knows. Local ford nut here is putting a 289 in a early 70's bumpside. I'm going with a 351 cleveland in my 66. Guess I said all that to say, you see people put just about anything in their trucks.

Go with new springs if needed.

 

I got one of my 2 66's with a 289 C4 combo. The motor was rebuilt and the tranny wasn't. Did some great burnouts before the tranny gave. Good Times