I'm about to tackle the rear end on my '37. Since this is a 'Traditional Style' build, I am going to retain the original rear leaf springs. The rear of the car sits about 2" higher than I want it. The spring rate seems to be pretty stiff. I can make the spring pads with a built in drop. But the question is: Has anyone removed leafs (leaves?) to soften the ride on this or a similar car? If so, how much would this drop the car? The existing springs have 8 leafs, I would guess that 5 would be about right. (take out the shortest 3) Also, the rear wheels sit about an inch too far forward in the fender openings. I've seen others with this same look. The frame is square and straight. I think by removing some leafs the springs might flatten out and therefore stretch the wheelbase, thus centering the wheel/tire in the cut out. Anybody know about this? Finally, what's your experience with Teflon spring sliders?
I removed a couple of leafs from the rear springs on my 38 chevy coupe several years ago. Dropped the car down ok but what ever you do don't run it without some kind of traction bars. Your ok if you still have the torque tube. The narrow springs will wrap up easily and cause wheel hop and in worse cases broken u-joints. Don't ask me how I know. The rear wheels are positioned slightly forward in the wheel opening from the factory. If your changing to an open drive line then this can be remedied by moving the rear back on the springs and drilling a new hole in the spring pads for the spring bolts.
Thanx Lobucrod, The original service manual says that the Sedan has 8 leaves and the Coupe 7. My guess of 5 being a good starting place seems to be reasonable. I was going to offset the holes in the spring pads as you suggested, but I didn't know how much flattening the springs would change the WB. My plan is to have 'Traction Master' type bars. Seems like a gtechood topic for a tech article. Did you by any chance retain the rear spring grease covers?
On my 37 Pontiac, I eventually had new lowered springs built with the pin relocated, but before that I made lowering blocks with the pin and hole offset and ran them for a few years
I have 5 leaves in my 37 coupe also dearched the main leaf and reversed the eyes, also using a1-1/2 lowering block it sets right. I redrilled axle pad to center wheels in fender Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
I also have 5 leafs in my 37 Chevy Sedan. When I built it over 20 years ago I tried a couple different size lowering block until I got the height I wanted. I keep a selection of different size blocks that can be easily made with various thickness of steel or steel tubing. I drill a locator hole on the top and bottom of the block and a use a header bolt in one hole for the spring locator. No need to ever have to drill the spring. You can offset the holes if needed so that the rearend is positioned where you want it.
Thanx guys, I also have made lowering blocks with the offset pin holes. raymay, Your sedan is exactly what I want, right stance, great chop and wheels centered. How much is that chop? Did you do it yourself?
I believe it was about a 4" chop. I bought the body from a friend who had it chopped. There is 8 1/4" of visibility on the windshield and side windows. The suicide doors, hidden hinges and other interior and body modifications were all designed or done by me. Never thought I would like a chopped car. Twenty plus years ago another friend and current HAMB member Moparron convinced me to finish the car. Our family fell in love with this car and enjoyed it until 2000 when we sold it. I lost track of the car for years then found it again in Connecticut. I went to see it in 2011. Once I sat in the drivers seat I easily convinced myself to buy it back. Still love the car and my 3 grandsons are now my new back seat co-pilots.
Thanx again everyone. I had forgotten about reversing the spring eyes. I got a couple of days behind trying to figure out how to get the brake pedal rod to miss the bell housing. The rear end is next. Raymay, I've seen your '37 in other threads. Still one of my favorite looks. I also have a '56 Chevy, mine is a sedan delivery. It is due for a frame off rebuild as soon as I get this '37 going. I think that the El Camino is a great version of something that the factory should have done.
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