Leaf spring question...........Please.........

Here's the story, the short version........I have a '47 ford which has been converted to leaf springs in the rear.........and the axle is already on top of the springs.......................

I am trying to lower the car..........Blocks won't do enough, the leaf springs are already looking a bit flat, so no removing leaves..............

So, I started thinking that the thing to do is to get reversed eye springs and then blocks.........So, I measured the springs, eye-to-eye and came up with 52 1/2" Does anyone know where I can buy reversed eye leaf springs that are that length? And no, I don't know what the springs are from.....

And is measuring eye-to-eye enough or do I need to measure something else as well?

Thanks in advance for the help.

 

A local spring shop should be able to make up a new main leaf with reversed eyes.

 

You're gonna want to also measure the front spring eye to center bolt/locator pin (which ain't always in the exact center)

 

Would they make the whole pack if I wanted? I assume the answer is "yes."..............

Thanks for the help.

 

move the front spring mounts inside the rails.....should lower the car at least 2 to 3" ......also would gain a little room in the inner fender area......being under the rail is a pain on my 47 ....as it hits the drive on rack at the garage.....brandon

 

I wondered if I should measure where the axle sat in relation to the ends........

Thanks.

 

I was gonna do that but I am trying to avoid moving the plates on the axle if I can.................I am hoping that with new springs and 4" blocks I can do it..........

If I were to move the mounts, any recommendation on where to get the kit to move the mounts?

Thanks again.

 

i know there is a kit out.....when i had my 48 chev they came out with one after i sold it.....i can't see how you can get by with a 4" block on the car.....mine has 2" blocks and its fairly tight.....not sure on the kit....but it sits lower than most that i have seen ....and it has standard eye leaf springs on it.....as for the kit.....might try innovative products....i think that was who offered it.....or who ever offers the arizona slammer mustang 2 crossmembers........(yeah i know....long shot....haha) brandon

 

The last time I was at the spring shop I asked the guy (just for the hell of it) how they rearch and dearch springs. I expected him to say something like, we heat them and run them threw a roller or something like that. He said I just bend em in the press. I said cold he said yap.

So a couple of weeks ago I tried it on the springs for my coupe. I arched the main leafs the other way and de arched the others and now it’s sittin low. It was easy.

 

leaf springs dont need to be curved down! If they are flat or curved up they will still "spring"! Pull some leaves! Try the press thing, what the hell ya got ta loose!? Ya mess em up, you were thinkin bout buyin new any way, now ya hafta!

 

I know you can get spring relocation kits through Mopar performance, and probably from places like Compition Enginering. The "kit" pretty much amounts to a 3/16 thick tube with the bottom cut off or welded flat stock and a couple holes drilled, but the "kits" are not very expensive, least they didn't used to be.

If you want to reverse the spring eyes, why not put a c clamp on the spring pack, cut the center bolt, loosen the clamp, flip the main leaf over, install a new centerbolt and reclamp the spring pack, then tighten the new center bolt. That's what a spring shop would probably do, or they would sell you a new main leaf, arch it the oppisite direction and install it in your spring pack and charge you a small fortune for it. At least you know your main is the right length. Gene

 

I guess I thought that springs were a mystical science..........hahah.............Maybe I'll try just what you guys are suggesting..........Flip the main and remove one of the helpers..............You're right, what've I got to lose? I was/ am planning on buying another set of leaves if this fails anyway..........Might as well go for broke...............not literally.............................................Thanks again.

 

Now thats the spirit, get in the grage and fuck somthin up!

 

I used Chassis Engineering kit..I bought the mounting kit and used the front spring from a 4 wheel drive dodge truck..worked perfect...

 

That's what I always told my kid! Can't learn nothing unless you fuck it up first, then have to fix it. Those are the lessons we all remember. Gene