I recently bought a carburetor spring on Ebay for a 1970 455 engine. When I compared it to other springs that I have on various cars, I noticed a difference. The spring I received had rounded ends on it. On my 70 Skylark convertible(350-2bl), the spring has squared ends. On my 70 GS 455 convertible which is extremely original, the carb spring is also rounded. 72 Stage 1 has rounded end also. Which is correct? Thanks, Larry
Mine is round on my 71 but not 100% sure it is correct. This is a good question for Duane as well as what color the spring should be.
Larry, my throttle return spring on my Stage 1 has the rounded ends and was originally painted yellow. I naturally repainted it the same yellow.
Here's one from a 69 400. I would think that this is original to the car. If yours looks like this one and you find out you don't need it, I could use a new one. Thanks, Rich
Thanks for the responses. It amazing how something this minor can bug you until you get to the bottom of it. Just remembered that I have quite a few pictures of Concours cars from Bowling Green and Salem that I can review. Time to dig out the pictures. Larry
Larry, Could the square vs round ends be like the other early vs late parts on a 70 model? Ie...pointed vs flat guage cluster covers, clear vs black top overflow container lids, plastice vs steel radiator covers, standard vs reinforced grill, etc. I'm sure there are others but that's all I could recall. Not that I want to drive you any more bongers............. Lon
I'm following this thread with interest. I'm into 1970 Oldsmobiles. The OAI (outside air induction) assembly is held down with a spring on each side. I believe Olds used the same spring part number for these as for the throttle return. All of the springs sold today (NOS or reproductions) have the round ends. This bothers me, because the hold-down springs on my W-30 (which is mostly original) have square ends. My springs look old, though not rusted as in Rich's picture. So I've always wondered if mine are original. I don't have the original throttle return spring, because the original owner swapped in a Holley back in '72. Eagerly awaiting more info ........ keep it coming.
Well........... I don't think I'm any closer to the answer but I looked at all of my pictures and I found a yellow spring(Carl's Stage1), a green spring, a red spring, and silver(cadium plated?). In a lot of the pictues, I couldn't see the spring very well because of the air cleaner or the angle of the picture. I'm going to take a look at my 67 Wildcat tomorrow and check out the spring on it. It's 50K mile original. 430-4 w/ SP, 4 door, rusty but original. Maybe some original owners of 70-72 cars will post their findings. Larry
FWIW, I believe the original spring on my 70 GS 455, bought from the original owner in 1983, had the squared ends. No clue on color.
Okay Larry you peaked my curiousity now...... I have a 1970 GS455 Convertible with original motor and tranny. It's a late model, May (05D), from Flint. And the ends are.........square. just like the above picture. Lon
Lon, My 70 GS455 Convertible is also a late 70 build, 06C. As stated before, it has rounded ends on the spring. Don't have a picture. It's at the body shop getting redone. Actually on hold at the moment waiting on outer wheel houses from the Parts Place. Here are a couple of pictures of springs that I took today to show the difference versus different cars. The only spring that I am absolutely positive is original is from the 70 Skylark 350-2. Larry
Here is the spring from my 72 Stage 1. Could be a 70 spring as it has a 70 motor in it at this time. Larry
Looks to me as if SOMEBODY has been driving with the throttle W I D E open for entirely too long. :laugh: :3gears:
Brad, Considering that that engine has been in that car for 15 years and made many trips to the GS Nationals in Bowling Green, I'll only admit that it's been `exercised' regularly! Larry
