I need a little help: I am trying to get my 1933 phaeton to ride better. Now droped axel --single leaf spring---8 in rear end ---open drive --late flathead with C-4 modern shocks front and rear. The ride on a smooth road is fine . but when on a tipical freeway ride is so bad I drive 50-55 MPH faster seems dangerious. My questiones are or does any one have any sugestions ? I was thinking about air bags I am planing to build a new ch***ie (so I am open to any sugestiones) I will keep flathead and C-4
Is it actually the ride quality that disturbs you, or the handling? Any looseness anywhere in the suspension will translate into spooky handling, possible ducking and diving all over the road. Grab the rear of the car and rock it side to side, then do it up front. Also check caster and camber, and toe-in. Dropped axles are notorious for being out of whack as bought.
yes everything is tight. ride is what I am looking for. would like to hear from some with air bag's on there car. thanks
Do you have a single leaf front spring? I got rid of mine years ago, It was too stiff. I have a muti leaf front. Weighed my car and called Eaton Spring. Made a spring for the weight. What is your rear spring? My 32 I have 185 lb coil overs on rear with Panhard bar and anti-roll bar. I cruise on the hi-way 75-80mph. with no ill effects or weird handling.
You probably won't find too man '33s with bags running around. it is not common to do to cars that are pre boat fender. if it is too bouncy you may consider two things one is softening up the springs and the other is a wheel tire change. I don't know what you are running so wheel tire change may not be part of the equation. Also when we lighten these old cars up or go to modern tires sometimes we have to let a little air out of the tires. Lets take a gander at it.
I tried changing wheel and tire no change in ride. I guess a good ride is not possible with a 1933 ford ? or am I looking for something that is not possible ?
everything is possible... we need your current setup.. shock type and what your alignment stats are.. you may have a lack of caster causing the issues. or a toe issue... stiff shocks causing a weird load on tires.. So let me ask... Bias ply or radials? Tire pressure? How much Caster is in the front end? whats your toe in? what kind of shocks are you running all around?
what rear suspension do you have? A multi leaf should be better than the single leaf. Are you running gas shocks? most old style suspensions do not react quick enough for gas shocks. etc, etc, etc. many options available for a good ride, and really, airbag are not one of them for a 33 ford
I ran the single leaf both front and rear on my deuce pickup and the ride was great. A little choppy but considering it was a truck that's to be expected. I could drive it at 85 MPH with a decent ride,expecting a hot rod to drive and handle like a sports car is asking a bit much. HRP
Absolutely not possible that is why we all buy vintage Mercedes to drive and just look at our old cars. We really can't help you much without knowing exactly what the problem is and what you are running. Most of us drive out old cars like we stile 'em, but we do things like has already been suggested softening the springs different tire wheel combos. let a little air out of the tires, proper shocks. We really can't diagnose a problem unless we really know what the problem is, I mean is it bouncy or it wanders all over the road or the rain grooves are dealing you a fit or??????
I don't know anything about single leaf springs. I have a 32 Tudor: Rear spring has 2 leaves removed and main leaf reversed Rear shocks are Gabriel Air (installed to help with lean) Front axle is dropped Front is stock 32 spring Front shocks are MGB rears (rebuilt) Engine is flathead, trans 4 speed Like HRP, car will run all day at 70+, without incident Yes, bad choppy roads aren't great, but the wheel base is short, and will never ride like a late model
Jimmy Sedans have a tendency to be a little top heavy unless dropped to the max. You can find a sway bar for that one if or when you decide you need one and loose the gabriels. Then with a more common shock you should be able to lose a little bit of the chop on the rough stuff. Just a thought. I like that you drive it instead of complain about it.
Nick,Rod1 here.I met you about twenty years ago with Bill McElley when we visited you at your place.One of my all time great memories.I'm going to go out on a limb here and tell you on an air bag system for your car....Don't!There are many cars out there that they work incredible on,but for what you have it's not it.I am convinced we can get your system up and working well.We just need more info .Your stuff has kept me up at night..So cool.Do you have a steering stabilizer?I would start there.
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