I just purchased some new shocks for my 65. I have never done shocks before so thought I ask for some helpful tips.

The rear shocks looks pretty simple as jack the car up put it on stands and then unbolt and install.

The front shocks look like I can just unbolt them and slide new ones on thru the coil springs.

Is there anything I need to know or do differently? I am worried about the front ones with the coil spring. Don't want a spring flying off in my face.

Thanks

 

Nothing to worry about. It is that easy. Sometimes it can be fun trying to thread a bolt into the top as your holding the shock compressed.

 

The rear's are pretty easy but you need to get at the tops in the trunk or remove the rear sear back. It's easy to over-extend the rear axle and not be able to get both ends of the shock threaded, so you only need to raise the rear just enough to crawl under or control the height of the rear axle with a floor jack with the body on stands.
The fronts are more difficult and it's been my experience that you want to start all of the nuts before you tighten any one of them down or you may not be able to get one or more of the 3 mount points threaded. The spring will not come out on you as long as you leave the outer tower covers installed.

 

So when doing the rear should I raise the car and then lower on the stands?

 

It is always best to put stands under a car while jacked up as a precaution to a jack failure. (your noggin' won't let the car bounce too far if it falls off of the jack and could really ruin your whole day).
IMHO, just so you have room to work. go ahead and jack the rear (or front) up so there's 6'' or so of clearance between the tire and the ground. put the stands in, let the car down on them. Then put the jack under the RE center and jack it up a little way. this way you hav lots of room to get under it and the jack under the RE will allow you to take the pressure/weight off the shocks.