Thanks for the help, guys! After a considerable amount of ballache I managed to come up with an inelegant solution - I ended up using our hydraulic log splitter to compress the spring just enough to spin the threaded bar enough so when I backed off the splitter the compressor came apart. I got the driver's side spring in eventually, but it's bowed out between the spring perches and the car rides way too high now. The guy who sold me the car assured me it was the correct spring but given the ride and the difficulty with the compressor, I think we all know what happened.

On a side note, I took the car to my mechanic to glance over and we need new rear wheel-bearings, possibly new rear axle-shafts, new brake lines, new front rotors and new fuel lines. Oh and a totally new exhaust from the engine back. Looks like I've got a much bigger project on my hands, which is fine, but I'm going to need a lot of help from you all. Should I keep going in this thread or get a new one going? The exhaust is the only thing that's a real head-scratcher now. The one on the car is a mishmash of parts glued together with HT silicone sealer. I have no idea how to assemble one for the M102 engine.

Thanks,
Adam