I cut off 1 first and it didnt make any difference.I pulled them back out i was just going to cut a half coil but the coil ends on a 69 have a place were there suppose to sit so i cut off another full coil.Alot of guys say they cut off coils in 1/2 even 1/4!I dont know how they would put the ends to make it seat properly.You also may consider running short headers or manifolds.I rented my spring compressor from auto zone it is like the one in the pic and it was a pain in the ass putting them back in with just 1 coil off,but real easy with 2 cut off.