1952-59 Ford Where to buy lowering blocks for my 53.

Hello everyone,

I am going to be putting my rear axle back in shortly and I need to order some lowering blocks. I'd like to get at least 3", possibly 4" if there out there. Where is there a good, cheap place where I can order them from.

Thanks

 

Also, would you suggest pinion shims?

 

Jamco or Speedway Motors. Speedway has shims...if you end up needing them.

 

nightprowlers.com

 

Got mine with u-bolts (dont forget em) from Speedway.

 

Yeah...I'm going to get the kit from either speedway or Jamco. As far as pinion shims go, how do you determine when you need them?

 

There are a number of threads on the main board concerning driveline angles. I'm sorry, I'd give some examples but have to get to work this morning. You can do a search in the meantime.

Some of the information is contradictory, so be aware!!!!

If your engine/trans/rear end is all stock, you can probably give it a mild drop without making any changes in pinion angle. Modifications or a radical drop may give you problems, however. This must be handled on a case-by-case basis since all modified cars are, by definition, different.

And, keep in mind that the taller the blocks the more likely you are to encounter spring wrap-up (accelerating and braking) which will induce driveline misalignment and the accompanying vibration. Shims will only help when the springs are in their normal arc.

Good luck. Perhaps some others can give more info, or point to where you can find it.

 

Thanks missysdad. I hear ya on the case by case basis. I understand the whole pinion angle setup thing, I just asked the wrong question.

What I really wanted to know was if there was anyone on this board having problems once they lowered their car 3" or more? If so, did they shim the suspension to get a better driveline angle?

 

I am going through the exact same thing you are right now on my 56. I just put in a 9 inch rear and I am working on getting a driveshaft. I lowered the front via the aerostar coil springs and granada disc swap, and putting the 9" rear in seemed to raise the back some. So I want to lower the rear about 2 inches.

Also, I am trying to figure out the angle, which is about as clear as chemistry to me. Maybe you can shed some light on that for me. I have the car sitting level on stands and using an angle finder I get about 2-3 degrees down on the trans, and on the rear I get 1-2 degrees up. I have read so much about it, none of it makes sense to me anymore. of course if I add blocks it may change that, so I will wait to get blocks before ordering my driveshaft. Then I will try to determine if I need shims or not I guess... I also have a friend thats going to make me some cal trac replicas to put back there.

On the lowering blocks, the challenge I found is that my springs are 2" wide, most lowering blocks at speedway and others are wider than that. After reading this thread and others, I will just make my own, shouldnt be hard....http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=198886

If you dont want to make them, Butch has the 2" wide ones with new ubolts in 2, 3 or 4" drop.
http://www.butchscoolstuff.com/49-60FordParts.html

I already spent $30 on some new ubolts and my friend has some s**** tubing to use, so wont cost anything for me to make them probably.

 

I took some 4 out of my 53 Mainline, and replaced with 3" There made out of solid steel, (heavy) I have no use for them..Let see if I can find them

 

scowered the garage looking for the blocks, no can find.....hope i didnt toss them...I would'nt do that...or I dont think I would...

 

Hoping this thread is still alive. I tried installing a set of 2 inch lowering blocks from Speedway this weekend. The ****** on my leaf springs is much larger than the hole/****** on the lower blocks. Suggestions?

 

Can you drill it larger to fit?

 

Butch's is a HAMB Alliance Vendor be sure you tell them when you order that you are a HAMB member and 1952-59 Ford Group member.

 

Jamco stuff looks like the same from local Autozone to me

 

Definitely a good vendor. I would probably make them myself for my '59 when the time comes.

 

I bought a set of 3" blocks from pep boy's they were universal and fit good on my old 55, I cut 2 coils out of the front springs and with the 3" blocks in the rear the car sat *****in I like my stuff low though

 

Hello; I was skimming over this thread and seen the conversation of driveline angle. To measure the angles you'll need an "inclinometer" I understand there is an app you can download and turn your phone into this tool.
What I would do.. Would be to install your drive axle with your lowering blocks. Sit the vehicle on flat level ground, under its own weight. Squeeze under measure the slope of your ******, your drive shaft then your drive axle. You will not get an accurate measurement if the vehicle is not on all 4 wheels and under its own weight. There is a mathematical formula you use. However, at work we just enter the numbers into a driveline calculating program, so I've forgotten the actual formula. I've got it writen down some where in my apprentice notes and will gladly go looking for it if this web site I'll share doesn't work for you.
Look up eaton road ranger, or Meritor. Two separate company's. They both offer this calculator on line for free. The program will tell you where your angle is bad and where to make your correction.
I hope this helps.
An excellent text book that covers all the basics; by Sean Benett. Heavy duty truck systems, fifth edition. This book was and is the meat and patatoes of the heavyduty mechanic apprentice here in Canada.

 

I don't know if the app is available for Iphones, but here is a link to the Tremec android app.
There is one for the Iphone.