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Technical Fixing the Lowering Blocks?

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by HuskerNation, May 17, 2023.

  1. HuskerNation
    Joined: Dec 28, 2010
    Posts: 339

    HuskerNation

    I need someone who may have knowledge on lowering blocks for the rear end. I have around 4” blocks at the rear of my coupe but the way the bottom purch sits the rear end is moved forward 1.25-1.5”. This only gives me 1/2” of drive shaft movement in the yoke before it hits the driveshaft face.

    My thought is if I could cut the bottom of these blocks so the blocks sit more vertically then it would fix all the issues putting the rear end back where it needs to be located.

    IMG_2175.jpeg
    IMG_2171.jpeg IMG_2172.jpeg
     
  2. Johnny Gee
    Joined: Dec 3, 2009
    Posts: 13,698

    Johnny Gee
    Member
    from Downey, Ca

    No different than using wedges to correct drive line issue’s. Be prepared for the comments on running such a tall block.
     
  3. trevorsworth
    Joined: Aug 3, 2020
    Posts: 1,641

    trevorsworth
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Lot of faith in those u bolts!
     
    210superair and XXL__ like this.
  4. HuskerNation
    Joined: Dec 28, 2010
    Posts: 339

    HuskerNation

    When I bought the coupe 20+ years ago these were already in place. While it does give a beautiful stance, it’s a little too low & I need them a little shorter.
     
  5. Mike VV
    Joined: Sep 28, 2010
    Posts: 3,253

    Mike VV
    Member
    from SoCal

    Husk -

    You apparently don't drive like I do !
    Wow, that's freaken scary !
    First thing that I'D...recommend, is to lower the car, a little...more correctly...AND...safely. Change the springs and or the spring mounts, both front and rear.


    [​IMG]

    Mike
     
  6. olscrounger
    Joined: Feb 23, 2008
    Posts: 4,807

    olscrounger
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    ^^^ redo the springs please. also looks like maybe shock and plate a good bit below scrub line to me.
     
  7. I would fear a flat tire (whether I was in your car or near it)! The scrub line appears to be an issue. @olscrounger you're apparently a slightly faster typer than I am :cool:
     
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  8. BJR
    Joined: Mar 11, 2005
    Posts: 10,711

    BJR
    Member

    I would shorten the blocks by about an inch, and angle cut the bottom of the block to move the rear end back into position.
     
    HuskerNation and Just Gary like this.
  9. Yes, you can cut the blocks to get the height you need, and angle cut them to ensure proper pinion angle, and get the axle so it's centered in opening. you have the right thought process. As others have noted, be aware of scrub line, etc.
     
  10. 19Fordy
    Joined: May 17, 2003
    Posts: 8,260

    19Fordy
    Member

    Carefully take that assembly apart and find out why the rear is not properly located (front to back) in the wheel well. Spring mounts need to be correctly located to center the rear.
     
    LOST ANGEL likes this.
  11. 20 years and you're just now getting around to changing things? My thoughts are you don't really drive it or it's really not an issue.
     
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  12. inthweedz
    Joined: Mar 29, 2011
    Posts: 610

    inthweedz
    Member

    If that was my car, I'd remove the springs and get them re-arched (lowered)..
    If it's not possible to get it low enough just by re-arching the springs, make some thinner lowering blocks to compensate the difference
    Using lowering blocks will also allow you to drill the locating hole to centre the wheel in the guard, or give you more driveshaft movement..
     
    olscrounger and 302GMC like this.
  13. Remove a couple leafs or re arch em
    Then adjust the block to suit you
    That’l give ya s shorter block
     
  14. TA DAD
    Joined: Mar 2, 2014
    Posts: 1,475

    TA DAD
    Member
    from NC

    That is pretty sketchy ! I like the cotter pin holding the shock on ?
     
    210superair, Budget36, XXL__ and 2 others like this.
  15. I'd be making some "adjustments" to your lower shock mount too ... first time I've seen a washer and a cotter pin and no nut o_O

    [​IMG]
     
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  16. twenty8
    Joined: Apr 8, 2021
    Posts: 3,125

    twenty8
    Member

    Holy crap.... I don't !!! :eek:
     
  17. Jeeps have cotterpins holding shocks.

    And took a beating
    IMG_1579.jpeg
    WW2 military spec
     
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  18. seb fontana
    Joined: Sep 1, 2005
    Posts: 8,943

    seb fontana
    Member
    from ct

    I wouldn't drive it..
     
    Budget36, lemondana and olscrounger like this.
  19. spanners
    Joined: Feb 24, 2009
    Posts: 2,197

    spanners
    Member

    To me it looks like the arse of the car would be too low anyway but if you like it that way that's cool. I'd be making new saddles for the housing and cutting the blocks down to suit.
     
  20. trevorsworth
    Joined: Aug 3, 2020
    Posts: 1,641

    trevorsworth
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Wow! I didn't even notice the Jesus pin! I've heard of suicide front axles but never a suicide rear!
     
  21. BJR
    Joined: Mar 11, 2005
    Posts: 10,711

    BJR
    Member

    A cotter pin with a big washers held on shocks on Jeeps all through WW2. I think it should hold ok on a street driven car. Besides there should be no side thrust on the shock any ways.
     
  22. cotterpins on shocks won’t hold up to Street use?
    IMG_1581.jpeg
     
    Last edited: May 17, 2023
  23. Kerrynzl
    Joined: Jun 20, 2010
    Posts: 3,412

    Kerrynzl
    Member

    To me it confirms that some people shouldn't go near cars with tools.
    Imagine the brake torque rotating the axle forward, and the driveshaft giving the trans "a Liberace"
    Then there are lateral control issues [side forces trying to twist the springs]

    The best/easiest fix would be to "Leaf-Link" the springs ,and use triangulated upper links.

    But that would require some basic engineering skills
    upload_2023-5-18_16-48-25.png

    A Simple hackjob fix would be to re-drill the centerbolt locating hole in the lowering block and also the corresponding spring plate, and move the whole assembly rearward the desired amount.
    This ^^^^ would keep the U-bolts and blocks etc perpendicular to the spring pad.
     
    Last edited: May 18, 2023
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  24. geoford41
    Joined: Jul 26, 2011
    Posts: 766

    geoford41
    Member
    from Delaware

    I had a CE spring set up with 2" lowering blocks when I got my 40 coupe, nice stance but a real PIA to get the rear wheels with 235-75 15 off due to interference with the rear fenders. I just put NEW springs from EATON spring in Detroit that are for a Sedan and though the rear sits a little higher the ride is better with no blocks . Photos to follow tomorrow
    Get new springs is my suggestions
     
  25. tomcat11
    Joined: Mar 31, 2010
    Posts: 1,027

    tomcat11
    Member

    Well said. It's scary what some people will do. Hopefully he'll get it sorted with the right spring combo and mounts.
     
    BJR likes this.
  26. spanners
    Joined: Feb 24, 2009
    Posts: 2,197

    spanners
    Member

    That car must have one hell of a transmission tunnel .
     
    210superair likes this.
  27. Removing tires on very low rides just requires ingenuity and some patience.
    We’re not nascar so needing to change a tire in 3 seconds isn’t an issue.
    A real jack helps. I’ve worked on rides that needed a shock/coil over unbolted.
    On my bus, I fixed it where the side panel with the wheel opening is removable.

    We ain’t changing tires every day
     
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  28. I'm going to go out on a limb and just get back to his actual questions. No where did he say this was a 40 Ford and looking at the fender/running board as well as his avitar I'm going to call it a Hudson. None of this actually matters at all any more than giving him (or Her) opinions on how each one of us would do things for ourselves if it were our problem. Over 20 years I'll bet the rear tires have been off a few times.
    Yes, you can cut or machine the bottom of the blocks to correct both placement and height assuming the blocks are solid material. Personal opinion here, I would NOT tilt the block enough to gain the 1.25" you want but instead drill the new center pin receiver forward on the bottom of the block and keep the U-Bolts vertical to the spring. You may need to modify the bottom plate to accommodate the spring center bolt next. Before doing any of this you may want to test your slip yoke to be sure it has enough travel to let you move things as far as you want without falling out of the receiver. Best of luck to ya.
     
    Algoma56, X-cpe, Tman and 4 others like this.
  29. HuskerNation
    Joined: Dec 28, 2010
    Posts: 339

    HuskerNation

    Dang you were spot on… other than one or two useful comments, it was like watching a bunch of teenage girls coming out to make fun of another girls clothes at the playground!
    The most humorous part is through their comments one sees how truly ignorant they are and they don’t even know it!
     
    Atomic Kustom and Pist-n-Broke like this.

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