1st Gen Front End Weight? Coil Spring rates?

I have installed a Heidts clip on my 62 Nova. I will be running a 383 with aluminum heads, aluminum manifold, battery relocated to the trunk, manual rack and pinion steering. Just a Vintage Air system that some weight (maybe 75lbs over the front end)

Does anyone know what the approximate weight will be on the front tires? or does anyone know what the weight was on a stock 1st gen car on the front tires. I am thinking of changing the coil springs to a coil-over design and need to know what springs to order. The coils that came with my Heights clip were marked as 350lbs/in and I know they will settle down some, but they were/are way too stiff and tall. With the engine installed and three large guys standing on the front of the clip, the suspension was completely topped out. The coil-overs will give me some adjustability, but I still need to get the spring rates right first.
Thanks for any information you can give me.
Ron

That situation sounds very familiar. I think TCI sends out 350# springs as well and I knew they wouldn't work. I bought some 300# springs and installed them. I have most of the front end back together now and they are still a little high, but everyone says they will settle as they get broken in after the first 200 miles or so. My setup is very similar to yours, SBC, aluminum parts, manual rack, battery in trunk, etc. Can't comment on driveability since my car isn't back on the road, but I know those 350# springs were wayyy to stiff for my tastes.

Same setup hear.
300 lb springs , drive them for say 500 miles.
Remember you will have to get ALL the pieces on the car:fenders ,hood,glass , inner fenders,radiator,transmission,all the fluids , doors ,interior etc. before the springs will compress some.
They will settle . I had to cut 1/2 coil (1/4 at a time to be safe)off to get the A frames level after the 500 mile drive.
Rides and drives perfect.

THE SILVER BULLET

I have a TCI with the 350lb springs. Even After a couple of hundred miles they are still very stiff and sit high. I would like to go to 300lb springs. What do I ask for or where can I get the 300lb springs.

Don

I bought my 300# springs from Heidts