I prefer to use parts that are engineered to perform as intended. Just because a spring has been made out of a certain gauge wire doesn't mean it will have the same compression rate, different alloys produce different compression rates. The detent springs in the shifter top are engineered to be strong enough to position the shift fork properly while being soft enough to prevent premature wear. I was able to find the correct springs from Ampdistributing.com. one of the great things about the chevy big bolts is the sometimes frustrating availability of parts, new or used. So far I've been able to find everything I need for my 6400. It's more challenging on my truck because it's the 1955 first series which was only produced in 1954 - March of 1955 but a lot of the fun in restoring the old girl is searching for and locating the parts that I need. I have a 1968 chevy 1/2 ton and a 1968 gmc 1/2 ton that I can order most if not all the reproduction parts so it's just a matter of ordering what I need. With my 1955 6400 most parts aren't readily available. I've found parts trucks by driving thru the farmland near me,parts from eBay, off different forums and thru networking. The thrill of the chase. I'm still a few months from getting my girl on the road but she's coming together piece by piece and I'm already looking for a new project and it's going to be another old big bolt
