Just got a coupe, and it rides like a logging truck, VERY stiff and choppy. Has 4 inch lowering blocks and a 9 inch rear end, 5-speed and a healthy 8ba. Would the lowering blocks cause the rough ride and a lot clutch chatter on take-off? Thanks.
Pictures of existing suspension would be needed, however the 4 In. blocks are out of the ordinary and make me wonder if the rear springs are too stiff and definitely too much arch. Then is the spring too long for the shackle mounts?
Am working to get pics, having issues I hope to get fixed soon. It has leaf springs, I guess they're mono-leafs, not a pack of them as I'm used to seeing. Also a rear sway bar.
Congrats on the 40 coupe! Looking forward to seeing pics! Sounds like someone installed the parallel leaves along the way and I would guess that they are mounted under the frame like on my 40 Merc. That would also explain the 4” blocks and mono leaves trying to get it to sit decent. Anyway, as mentioned, pics will help a lot as far as understanding what is going on.
Yours wouldn't be the first to ride around on shocks that are bottomed out...but, without pictures, it's all guessing. But you know that already . Oh, and congrats on the new car!
Sounds to me like the spring mounts are not the correct distance apart, making the spring ends hit the frame or mounts themselves. Shackle bars may be too long. Pictures, please and use the flash. We can't tell with black pictures. Are you using the stock front suspension? If so, the shackles need to sit at a 45 degree angle with the car on the ground so they don't bottom out on the spring perches. Check the shocks. With the car on the ground the piston should be in approximately the center of the travel between fully extended and full retracted. You have some wiggle room for that but they should not bottom out.
Everyone hit on the ride. You asked about clutch chatter. That could be spring windup, but I'd check the driveline too. The usual thing, get under there and look for loose stuff, wear marks, leaks, and general condition. I have a feeling that you will have more questions. Oh, pictures!
belair: CONGRATS on getting your 40 coupe. I've owned mine for 61 years. There's tons of info. on HAMB and Fordbarn so post lots of clear photos of your 40 including the suspension and driveline and your questions will be answered.
Does your car have a set of the anti-chatter rods between the frame and bellhousing area? The 8BA doesn't have them cast into the block, so depending on what type of engine/trans mounting you have going on, you may have to fabricate some bracketry and add them back in.
I modified my OEM 1940 anti-chatter rods to fit the 8BA in my 40 Ford. Had to weld on little ears to the Merc bellhousing. Also, modified the antichatter rod frame bolt. Make sure your clutch and brake pedals clear the rods when depressed. Headers are FENTON. Exhaust flange nuts are brass with anti-seize. Last years, I saw on Fordbarn where there was a fellow making special brackets to easily fit anti-chatter rods on an 8BA. Do a Fordbarn search.
The Jalopy Journal
