Funny, I've always had exactly the opposite experience -- Ford and Chrysler "old" V8s run forever, GM (especially Chevy) V8's toss rods, burn holes in pistons, etc. I can always get a Ford to run better than a Chevy 350.

A note -- you will not be able to see the spring unless you crank the steering all the way to one side, it's burried pretty deep in there, on top of the lower control arm.

I don't know why someone would have put leaf springs in there anyway, the 350 is somewhat smaller than the M117, and the coils are pretty far out of the way.

Who knows though -- when it comes to custom stuff, there are no rules....

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!