a spring support system for supporting a stator core in a frame of an electrical machine , the core having a longitudinal axis and an outer periphery provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced , axially extending dovetail grooves , and the frame including a plurality of circular flanges which surround the core when the core is installed in the frame , the system including : a plurality of key bars each having a portion formed to mate with a respective dovetail groove and each seated in a respective groove of the core ; a plurality of spring bars each extending parallel to a respective key bar and each secured to the flanges ; a plurality of key blocks for securing the key bars to the spring bars ; and fastening elements mechanically fastening each key block to a respective key bar and to a respective spring bar at a location between two axially adjacent flanges .