MGB: Rear Spring Questions

If you have seen my earlier post, I was concerned about the left rear of my 70 B sagging. I hope to cure this problem with a set of used springs I recently purchased. ($40/pair) They were taken off a car after approx 5000 miles when said car met an unfortunate end. I'm hoping that they will have settled, and I won't have the backside up in the air.

My questions are:

They are somewhat dirty and have a few surface rust spots on them. Other than cleaning them with a wire brush, should I waste my time painting them or having them sand blasted? I was thinking about POR 15, but mostlikely I can't get between the leaves... right? I don't want to knock myself out if after the summer they look the same.

Do new bushings need to be set with a press?

Any other useful advice or websites that deal with installing rear springs.

TIA

-John

John, I believe the springs have to settle in on your car. I think you will have the same problem with the used springs until they settle in on your car.

Can anyone recommend a bushing set? I've seen the "Energy" set in the VB catalog. Anyone used this??? Poly v. rubber? I would imagine the poly set is easier to install v. rubber but gives a harder ride???

I'd go with poly bushings and spring pads. Brush-on black Rustoleum enamel will stay on those springs forever. Don't worry about between the leaves, they'll keep themselves rubbed clean in use.

i am running the Energy Suspension bushings on my 74 Gt and 74.5 Roadster. They are more stiff than rubber, but definitely I like them better. It took some getting used to, but I don't think I would go back to rubber at all. I have the bushings, pads, sway bar bushes. Next I will go to poly tranny mounts (oil leaks don't destroy them like rubber).

I went all the way to nylon on one of my Bs, and still didn't notice any difference in roughness. Poly should be very nice, I'd think.

When I replaced my springs, my supplier ordered some brand of poly bushing (don't recall which brand...) The poly was actually softer than the petrified rubber that it replaced....