1952-59 Ford New Guy from NC

Hey folks, Im tony from salisbury NC and this is my recently acquired 55 vic. I need to fix the brakes on it so any info there is appreciated. Ive bought aerostar srpings and lowering blocks for it and I may do a bit of hopping up to the 272. Ive got a "B" manifold and 600 carb, 57+ dizzy with pertronix, and 57 tbird exhaust manifolds (may buy actual headers though) that i can put on it. Wouldnt mind a cam in there as well but havent decided on what spec to get and i may take the "G" heads and get some porting and other work done. Anyways any helpful info or tips is appreciated, thanks guys!

 

I don’t have any help for you, but I do want to say, Welcome!!!

 

Welcome from Oregon. Nice car, good luck with the build.

 

Have you ever changed a cam in a Y-block with those weird lifters,they don't come out the top like most V-8's ? Also the cam bearings should be changed,if they turn wrong you won't have rocker arm oiling always has been a PIA with y-blocks. You might find this very interesting:

 

Ive heard they are a real pain to change. Im up for the challenge of trying though.

 

Welcome to the group. You’ve got a nice car.

You’re bound to get a lot of help here!

 

Any of you guys lowered using the aerostar springs? If so could y'all post a pic or two so i get an exact idea of the stance it while have?

 

http://www.compe***ionproducts.com/Ford-Y-Block-272-292-312-55-62-Camshafts/products/2056/ The lifters are available too, Since you are new you probably saw the top line that says "Sticky FAQ" this is a HUGE file with tons of information that will probably answer just about anything you want to know. The "Sticky" file is for the posting of information ONLY, DO NOT ask questions there use the regular forum for that.

 

Another cam shaft choice many of the guys on the main board have used is here: http://www.deltacam.com/tech.php They have just about all the old profiles you could want and do regrinds and offer special hardening as well,give them a call for advice.

 

Wow, M code Vicky. Pretty cool.

 

I can't show you a picture since I used the Aerostar springs along with dropped spindles but since it was too low I put the original springs back in. That raised the car 2 1/4". Now I never drove it with the Aerostar springs but they were in the car for a good 6 months so I ***ume they had settled to where they were going to.

 

Good looking car,welcome to the group. HRP

 

Welcome Burly Wind.

 

Nice car and welcome. Kudos for wanting to keep the y block. There great engines. You might want to check out the Y Blocks Forever forum. Those guys can help you out tremendously on the mods you want to do. As far as the aerostars heres a pic of my car with them and 2" blocks.

 

Welcome nice car

 

Thanks I was wondering if I should've bought 3" blocks for the back instead of 2" but that would've gave a more tail dragger stance so glad i went with the 2s.

 

I'm hoping this winter to go 3". I havent decided if I'm going to use blocks or new springs yet. I have Versailles spindles in the front with coil spring spacers now to level it up. I'm hoping removing the spacer and the 3" springs/blocks it will sit nice and level.

 

So guys Im finding small things on the car that a previous owner has modified, such as the interior has be redone in a mild custom way. Im now wondering if the car has been lowered a bit alreadt? it seems to me to sit kinda lower than it should but maybe its just me? This is the only good broad side picture ive taken and i know the tires are slack in it but maybe it is lowered some? what do you guys think?

 

Measure to top of wheel wells and let us compare.

 

Way back in the 55 shop manual there is a dimension given for the distance from the floor to the center of the headlamp. I'm working from memory because my 55 and manuals are long gone, but I think the number is 34" or 34.5". Anything less is lowered.
Your's looks to be lowered slightly up front, Burly.

 

Could be as much as almost an inch off as the old tire sizes then used a taller and narrower profile like 670 X 15 and option 710 X 15 (85 profile) first replacement was the F78 X 15 & G78 X 15 which evolved into the present 205/75/15 & 215/75/15.

 

by what im measuring its 3/4 to an inch under that measurement brodie. its at 33.5ish from the center of the headlight. Im finding more and more as i go on this car. its pretty fun to pick out the cool things someone did, my other car was destined to be an easter egg colored street rod and it wasn't so fun finding what was changed on it haha

 

that could be it as well jeff, didn't think of that. Well even so i will be installing the aero springs and blocks hopefully this weekend

 

Here is what my 55 manual says. Not sure what the second line means. My 55 , as it sets with original springs and Fatmans 3" dropped spindles, measures 33" to the ctr of the headlights. My tires are 26.7" tall. This all confuses me??

 

Okie, the second line is the width dimension. 60" center to center of the lamps (2 × 30").
As for tire height, the manual also gives the tire's rolling radius dimension. That is the distance from the floor to the center of the wheel. Compare that dimension to what is on your car to figure the amount of "rubber" drop or lift.
Thank for looking that info up.

 

So "static loaded radius" would be floor to center of wheel? Manual says 13.4". Mine is 12.5". Guess that is the difference in radials and bias ply? So with 3" dropped spindles and almost 1" smaller diameter tires I am only 1" below stock height. Sure would be nice to see some others measurements.

 

That 13.4 only shows the tire radius. your body drop from the dropped spindles should be measured/compared by measuring the fenderwell to wheel center. Measuring there will put everybody on the same page for comparison as the tire diameter does not come into play.

 

Wish I had thought of that Rich. Won’t the headlight measure reveal the same?

 

Welcome to the group. I used Aerostar Springs to lower my 54 Customline and it dropped it about 1 1/2 inches. I then put 1" A-Arm spacers in and it dropped it another 1 1/2. Trimmed the bump stops, but it still hits them at times. Going to disc brakes in the winter so I plan on removing the A-Arm spacers and using Granada spindles for some drop, but less than I have now so I don't hit the bump stops.

 

Yes, but in discussions regarding how much drop a particular modification made, such as Aerostars, if the measurement is done as I mentioned, then others will know how much difference the modification made. If you measure to the headlight (or anywhere)to ground, then the tire size is included, and the height dimension recorded is not indicative of just the modification.
hope that makes sense. Another way of putting it: we see the question asked all the time....."how low does your car sit with the aerostar springs?" Unless the question is answered as a measurement from fender to wheel center, whatever dimention is given is affected by their tire diameter, so may not be indicative of what that change will do to your car with your tire diameter.