1952-59 Ford A arm drop blocs

Hey fellas


Any one know about or have tried these on our fords, particularly 55/56

Thanks in advance

 

back in the day. I had a set of these on my 50 mercury. no problems. drop about 1.5"-2" if I remember right. Currently have home made ones on my 56 wagon. Not sure of the drop since it is not yet all back together.

 

Make sure that hardware is grade 8

 

In the past we had members try to use these with Aerostar coil springs it didn't work out well in most cases,you can use these with a stock spring that has been cut a little but if you get too aggressive you will have bottoming out and bump steer issues. You might want to read this so you can plan ahead https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bump_...r ride height,wheels' toe setting will change.

 

I didn’t know anyone was building a kit. They’ve been discussed on the HAMB normal section as getting a nice rake with stock springs. At 2” they are real close to Aero Stars and keep the same stock ride. Aeros are compound wound so the ride is softer than stock and lowers the car. Granada’s do the same but are getting harder to find so now many are using Chinese replacements.
I would have made a set but never thought of it and went with Aeros.

 

I use them with stock springs but dropped in a Windsor with C4 losing around 220 lbs at same time still lowered front end

 

I used them at first (although I built mine) before swapping to Aerostar springs. I definitely like the ride better with the Aerostars over the original springs and blocks.

 

I am ok with my dropped spindles and original (103,000 miles) springs. I am tempted though to remove the Posies rear 2” lower springs and refurbish originals and try blocks to lower the rear.

 

Do you have the Fatman dropped spindle?

 

Yes I do.

 

Hey Joe, I just read your comment again and noticed that your car and mine apparently have pretty much the same mileage. Mine still has the original (101,000 miles) rear springs and 2" blocks for reference. Oh, and my original front springs only have about 85,000 miles on them (before I swapped them for the Aerostars) if you ever need some lower mileage fronts. Hope to see you sometime this year. Can't believe we haven't ever met in person yet.

 

Looking forward to the day Jeff.

 

Seen the kits, don’t trust the bolts
Installed Aerostar springs, looks good might go a little lower but undecided . Have not seen any comments on wheel rub or steering clearance with a-star springs and the block kit. Have to wait until bumper, parts, etc. are back on the car b4 a decision is made
If I do decide, think I’ll make my own “ kit” with solid steel bars and welder up with no bolts
My 2 cents

 

Just also keep in mind that the springs will likely settle some. I bet mine settled about an inch over the last 20k miles. Also, my a-frames are now bolted together since I did run blocks at one time. I just used grade 8 bolts and have never had an issue. I did use solid blocks when they were in.

 

My front springs were at 95K when replaced with Aero’s . Rears now have 100k and I can’t find any recipes that they were changed in the restoration. When I add the 8.8 I did not use the isolators so the the rear went up 1/2”.

Concerning tire rub. I changed to 6” wide rim and have 205-75 in front and 215-75 in the rear with no rubbing. I also have a Wilwood 4 piston front disc brakes that did not use the 1/4” spacer supplied if needed. I can also remove the rear tire with raising the body and the axle. Both are needed. Think bumper jack.

 

Hey Jimmy, did you use the Willwood kit for stock spindles?? And how do you like em

 

jax.. yes stock spindles. Talked to Wilwood tech and another supplier. Went with Wilwood because they are 4 piston and I didn’t want power. Bought their 7/8” MC prop valve combo and residual valve. I added a Mustang adjustable actuating rod. Bought everything from Summit because the guy told me to (cheaper) and I live close to them.

Did it in a weekend needing to make 2 short lines straight down to original tees. and buy a plug for one of the factory tee’s on a 56.

Stock rear wheel cylinders are fine but I changed the rear to an 8.8 with drum brakes that was originally power so I installed smaller diameter wheel cylinders.
Very happy……way better that originals but not quite power; the look of vacuum booster on firewall is not something I admire.

 

Thanks Jimmy
Got my power steering kit from Borgesen on the way as well, so stopping and steering are covered. I’m with you on the looks of a giant booster when I open the hood especially with the yblock in there