MKIII Springs WANTED

[Pythias]

I'm having a problem..

The front springs from MO#$ are too long. They only sell two sizes, one for 1500s and one for eveything else. They are not even the right length as stated in "the book"... I ordered some from AHSPARES out of England thinking they would have the right length and spring rate, only to be disappointed again as they are too long as well.

I just want the car to sit correctly...

Anyone know of a source for the correct springs, OR have a set for a MK III Sprite they want to part with...BEFORE I have a set custom made? Which seems to be the only alternative..

 

[Jim_Gruber]

Bill,

I went through this on my '68 Sprite. Springs MOSS Sent me at one point made Bugsy 1 look like an off roader. My Solution was a set of BE Springs. It took several iterations with MOSS and they realized they had some mismarked Springs. That was 15 years ago but looks like it's come back again.

 

[Pythias]

So far I've had ONE reply, but the gentleman is busy and can't get to it right now...
I've found peter mays engineering sells 8" 7 1/4" and 6 3/4" springs.. for £60 a pair.. looks like I'l be geting them from there. They'll also custom make sets for £70.

 

[Jim_Gruber]

I’ve got the measurements I took somewhere on this issue. Now to find where I put them.

 

[Jim_Gruber]

Not the first time I ran into this issue with Spring Heights. Springs do have a color code on them that means something to Moss or the Spring Mfg. Spring on the Left is stock from ,y '68 Sprite, spring on Right is what Moss Shipped, Spring in Center are the Coil Springs that also fit a BE. Center Pics show the effect of the Spring on the Right after install. It was definitely stiffer and taller. And BTW picture is dated 2/24/02. I've been part of this forum since 98 or 99. No wonder I know so many answers to these questions. Bet the color codes on the springs you received match the one's on the right.

 

[Jim_Gruber]

And that's Bugsy I, my first Sprite a Mk IV prior to adding a BE tilt forward Bonnet. A fun car I sold to Alan Fisher in NH. Received a 210 5 Speed as a partial trade in the deal.

 

[Pythias]

I believe, can't prove, but believe that the difference isn't just in the length of the WRONG springs, (the height difference between stock ride height and these having been installed is too great) but also in the spring rate. These wrong ones just don't compress as much as they should. They're using the wrong steel as the diameter of the "wire" is, or seems to be correct. (As opposed to the diameter of the coil itself).

 

[RickF]

I believe, can't prove, but believe that the difference isn't just in the length of the WRONG springs, (the height difference between stock ride height and these having been installed is too great) but also in the spring rate. These wrong ones just don't compress as much as they should. They're using the wrong steel as the diameter of the "wire" is, or seems to be correct. (As opposed to the diameter of the coil itself).

What is the diameter of the wire? The original springs on my Bugeye are 7/16" wire. I have another set of used springs in the garage that are the same exact length and diameter, but are made with 1/2" wire. I think they may be MGB springs.

 

[Pythias]

I don't have a set of springs here.. Everything is at a shop in Portland, 60 miles away... I would need some calipers too, which I don't have.. .. I'll ask them to measure when the springs I ordered from Peter Mays arrive from England.