Do any you guys know if a 40 ford rear spring will work under a stock A ch***is with a stock A rear crossmember? Or do I need to modify the stock rear crossmember or build another style rear crossmember.Want to stay with the looks of the stock frame if possible.Any pics would be helpful as well.
The 35-41 rear springs have a much lower arch than the A/T style springs and so can't be used in an over the axle configuration with an A crossmember. If you extend your frame to move the crossmember back behind the third member it would be no problem, BUT still would require a flatter crossmember to retain the height. I believe the perches are the same distance apart as the Model As on the later cars, approx. 49.25 inches so that would work. Also you'll need to reduce the number of spring leaves in that 40 spring pack to get the action you'll want for a much lighter car. Keep the 2nd leaf and remove the odd numbered leaves , 3,5,7,9, etc. You'd probably use 4-6 leaves when you're done. Add a good set of shocks and you're up for a good ride.
Hi, the 40 spring won't fit the stock crossmember without modifications.It would be better to use a flat crossmember in it as 29Jay did. Milo P.S. I used a flat crossmember on a 32 frame and a complete 39 rear and spring in my A coupe.
Hi, I am in the process of redoing the rear suspension on my 29 coupster. It currently has a Speedway "high arch" spring. I am pretty sure the axle perches are not far enough apart as the spring pushes out under load and binds. Does anyone know the correct eye to eye distance for the axle perches? Thanks.
Here's some pics that may help. 40 Ford spring pack with SoCal main leaf - which they don't sell individually anymore. Any custom spring shop could make one for you. 2nd leaf removed since it hit the eyes. Another view. Spring plate is two separate pieces of 1/2" by 1" (from memory so measure to be sure). Bolts are 1/2-13 with nylocks. A 1/4" plate would work ok. Note the 1" thick spacer on the crossmember wear plate. One way to adjust height and it may be changed to a thinner spacer lowering the car a bit depending on which rear fenders I use. (29 fenders are narrower than 31's.) These are 31 fenders, shortened and the flare welded back on. The car doesn't look low in this pic since the jackstands support the frame and the suspension is unloaded 29 bobbed fenders showing how low the car is in the rear. 235/80R x 15 tires. (28" tall.) Note that the 1 1/2" x 3 1/2" rear crossmember has the 1"OD crush tubes (where the bolts go) inset into the crossmember. Cut out on a mill, but it would be easy to rough out with a 4" grinder and file smooth with a half-round file. Note too, the bolts are installed from the bottom. Originally I put them in from the top and after the body was on, realized I couldn't remove them without a h***le. Spring is 2 1/4" wide fwiw. Shown here, the SoCal rear spring bracket on the 9" Ford axle. 44" apart is their recommended distance on bracket spacing. 56" wide on the wheel flanges fwiw. I've heard the 40 Ford front spring works well in the back of roadsters. Most of which, with OHV engine and auto trans weigh in at 2200 - 2500#. Not counting the lightweight T roadsters here, only A's and 32's. Pic of the car as it sits today, still with the spacer plate. The car seems low when looking at it or standing beside it. The rear is about as low as you're gonna get with fenders. Both ends and the middle have good ground clearance. Same as my 32 with it's lowest points being the collectors at 5 1/2" and the oil pans - engine and trans - at 6". I go lots of places with my 32 and expect to do the same with the 31.
The Jalopy Journal
