1952-59 Ford Aerostar Coil Springs on My 54

Looks good! Whats the measurement from the floor to the wheel arch?

 

Thanks.

I'll measure it once I have the isolator installed on the other side as well and will post it here. Hope to have that done tomorrow evening.

 

Got the second isolator installed tonight.

As the photos show, my final drop is 2.5"

I'm happy with that. I took it for a spin and I'm also really pleased with the ride. So...I'm calling the suspension finished.

 

I like it! Looks great.

 

Me too, I like both the height and rake on it.
You guys may want to think about using a front spindle-to-fender well measurement for reference instead of ground to wheelarch. Measuring from the spindle removes a lot of variables due to tire and wheel sizes/inflation.
Of course that comment is only pertinent when your comparing two of the same cars.

 

Thanks...I'm liking it too. I am expecting a small additional amount of settling and a very minor bit of lowering when I add the front bumper. Although, I expect all that to amount to less than another half inch.

I drove it a few miles yesterday and I like the difference the polyurethane isolators made. The ride feels very "modern"....not to firm, not too soft.

Texas57...you have a good point there about measuring.

 

Looks great and I like the rake too! I asked about the measurement because on my '54 I'm at 28 1/2" sans drive train with the CC850 springs. I have about 3" of travel as it sits. I expect it to come down at least 2" -3" when the engine/trans is installed. I know several fellas have cut and even removed the lower bump stop to gain some room but my concern is having it hammer/bottom out every time I hit a bump. I had asked on another thread about the use of the CC851 spring because it's taller than the Aerostar yet shorter than the stock spring. Here's a pic of what I'm referring to. Thoughts?

 

I too am putting the aero star springs in my 56. I see people are putting isolators in too. Do you need these isolators. I put the stock rubber ones back in the top.

Thanks

 

Forget where I got the isolators, but you should have them and they're inexpensive. Think they were maybe $6 a pair.

 

Do the isolators just go in the top of the springs or do you need them for the bottom too?

 

The isolators ARE the thin rubber ones. Also available in urethane. I suspect other years are like the '57...no isolator on the bottom, you need to make sure the end of the spring sit in the pocket against the stop. An isolator becomes a spacer when it starts getting thicker than the thin oem style.

 

That's what I thought. I used my original isolators because they didn't look that bad. They are thin rubber and are located at the top. There were no isolators on the bottom of the spring. When I installed the Aerostar spring I made sure the bottom of the spring sat in the spring pocket against the stop and I left the top be what is was going to be since it is flat and would be up against the isolator. I thought I did something wrong. I guess I could have bought new isolators. Thanks!

 

I always make sure the springs are seated up top first. I tape the isolators to the spring so they stay put. Then hold the spring so I can feel that it is in the right place. Next time you have one out, look up into the pocket and you'll have a better idea.

Used isolators are okay if they're in good shape. The ones I took out were still fine.. but into the garbage they went.

 

Isolators go on top of the spring. Nothing on the bottom....but make sure the coil is oriented against the little indentation on the bottom.

Here's the isolators I used....mainly to lift the car a little bit. I'd also heard that they improve the ride, and after driving it, I'd say there is a small improvement over the thin rubber isolators.

http://www.energysuspensionparts.com/9.6120

 

Thanks!

I looked at mine last night and maybe they were not as good as I thought. I orderd the energy suspension ones from Summit Racing last night based on Don's recommendation. Only bummer is I have the driver side together, but I'll just take it back apart. I'm also doing a disk brake conversion.

 

What disc brake kit are you using? I'm using the Versailles spindles. I put a 3/4" spacer on top to negate some of the drop the spindles give.

 

I'm installing an ECI kit that uses granada rotors, camaro calipers, and allows me to keep my original spindles. I've seen some of the drop spindle set ups and didn't want to go that direction.

 

My disc conversion kit came from a now-defunct company called Gearheads Cruiser Products. It's essentially the same as what Nalakaya described above. I didn't want to go with dropped spindles.

They were a simply god-awful company to deal with. The conversion kit was high quality but it took them FOREVER to get it to me and they would never, ever, ever answer the phone, return messages or answer email.

 

Well....if you're like me, then you're getting pretty good at the coil spring change-out procedure. I had both of mine apart three times. That's 6 times total dropping a lower A-Frame, etc. I swear the last time I did it, it took me a total of 30 minutes for the whole procedure.

I've pulled the same items on and off this car so many times (mainly because I don't know what the hell I'm doing the first time) that I'm starting to refer to my car as an adult lego set.

 

I think that's the normal way.

 

Like they say..............Thats Hot Roddin...........

 

I guess it is minor compared to the fun I'm going to have installing the 351W in the hole.

 

If there is a substantial weight difference between your existing drivetrain and the 351, you'll probably end up doing the springs again to correct the ride height.

 

I'm happy with mine so far... but have to still 180 lbs of what-not and go for a ride. The car is on jack stands ATM, doing final clutch adjustment and ***embly odds & ends. New battery shows up today. Once on the ground, I'll eyeball the snubbers to get an idea if they're too big.

 

I'm sure there is going to be a difference. I'm running aluminum heads and I just ordered an aluminum radiator.

 

My '59 from what I read came in at 3385 to 3460 lbs from the factory. The 355 is about 75 lbs less than the 223, Muncie 50 lbs less than the 3-speed with OD. Aluminum heads, intake and radiator may shave off another 100. So the weight may come in at 3200 +/- 40 lbs.

 

looks like its time to take a poll Jeff. Maybe a large subject, hence everyones feedback.
For myself We haven't purchased any shocks yet. See what happens in time. Will be watching thus one for sure.

 

Well, hopefully I can let you know by the end of the month on whether or not the 4503's work or not. I think a poll would help settle on what works or not.

 

I finished my front end and sat it down. It sits about 3 inches lower with the y-block still in it. It doesn't come close to either snubber either. I won't really know until I put it on the road.

 

Mine is possibly too low now, will know more if I get to drive it soon. There is a CC851 spring that is about 2" longer.