Going to fit the Aerostar springs to the front of the 53. Looking at blocks for the rear, can get 3" ones here. If they are too low I could machine that to 2" Thing is they are for a 3" axle tube, I make my axle a little less than that, will they be ok or is there a better kit available? Ian
Yours are 2" wide. I had the same problem on my Merc. I got a pair of billet aluminum blocks from Speedway that were 3" wide and machined them down to 2" wide. The hole for the locator pin is too big so you'll need to shim your pin to size. The cylinder head alignment dowels for a Nissan engine work very well for this since they are hollow and a snap fit over the alignment pins and snap into the holes in the blocks. You may find 3" a bit much: mine are 2" and I still have to sneak up on some railroad crossings, driveway entrances, etc.
You can get the correct kits here: http://www.butchscoolstuff.com/store/cart.php?m=product_list&c=36 Butch's is a H.A.M.B. Alliance Vendor when you call in your order be sure and tell them you are a 1952-59 Ford Social Group member on the H.A.M.B. Pre-measure the width of your spring before you order.
I can get 2" wide blocks to suit the springs,it is the axle tube diameter I wanted to check. The u bolts i can get are 3" inside and the axle is just over 2 and 3/4" will these pull up ok or will I need some kind of packer or shim of some kind or a different u bolt Ian
Looks like I will have to go either butchscoolstuff or shoebox Central, having no luck over here(uk) Ian
Got some 2" wide blocks with a 3" drop. Had them machined down to a 2" drop but now find that I need to have a sleeve to locate block to axle and the hole that locates to the spring is way too small! More machining!! Ian
The machining is the easy part. I would like to drop mine in the rear, have to see how it sits with it all ***embled first.
Are you guys using the rubber pads and plates on top and bottom of the block/spring pack? This should take up the difference between the smaller pins on the top of the block and bottom of the springs, and the larger holes on the rear end and the lower plate. 2ea per side, top and bottom B9SZ-5741-A B2AZ-5736-A
I'm having a load of h***le getting the aluminium blocks machined to fit, would have been easier to make blocks out of 2"x2" box section with plates welded on the ends! Ian
Nope, didn't know such things existed. The blocks I got from Speedway are for Scrub pickups. I have access to a good machinist so I had him cut 'em down to size. The PO had some in there that were too wide and they would not stay put no matter what I did. The new ones are a perfect fit and should outlast me since they're solid.
Are you running dropped springs? 3 inch blocks shouldn't rub a driveshaft tunnel at all. I've had 4 inch blocks in my car, with aged springs, and that causes some problems when it comes to a full trunk and p***engers, but 3 should have been fine.
2" drop should have my car sitting level with the ground, I suppose the aerostars might settle a little which will give a slight rake. Hope to have the blocks fitted soon Ian
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