i think you should call speedway and ask them about the 31" spring to see if it is really a custom made length to accommodate the reversing, or what. then post it here so i dont have to do it! im in the same boat as you right now with a 34 front. not quite as bad, but it will get worse when the body goes on. i'll get a pic up today
I’m sure a new spring is the correct length as it hasn’t been messed around with. Though yes, you could call and ask them to measure one on the shelf for you and see if it’s actuslly that size. - blnow recalling all the threads that mention they had s new eversed main made for there pack instead of reversing a stock one, now I know why
I think this drawing may clarify what happens when the eyes are reversed on an arch....the greater the arc, the more the dimension changes and vice versa.... Interestingly, the greater the arch, the less drop is achieved by reversing the eyes and conversely, the flatter the spring, the more drop is achieved. Small amounts in either case, but measurable.
On the 32 chassis currently being set up in my garage we are using an original Ford axle. I want it low so we will be using a spring with a low arch. I have three different main leafs sitting on the shelf to figure out the best fit after we are done mocking things up. One is an original Ford main (probably a Model A) that was re-arched backwards like yours. Another is actually from a Posies Superslider spring but we won't use the upper leaves with the bumps (no idea what PN). The last is a Posies main leaf sold separate and meant for use on a stock Ford axle, but made with a lower arch and reversed eyes. Gotta have lots of options when playing with puzzle parts. My brother had a spring made special for his 32 last year at St. Louis Spring. They made exactly what he wanted. If you need something special, maybe you could send them your current main and tell them to copy it but make it two inches narrower.
Tim, the Model A Judging Standards don't state what the thickness of the AA spring is, only states ,"the leaves were much thicker". The spring pictured in the Judging Standards is a "monster" and nothing like your spring.
@alchemy posies doesn’t sell just the main leaf anymore but I have seen the “buttonless” leafs your talking about. I actually just talked to a friend at Pete and Jakes and asked him about getting just a main from posie as they carry the springs in shop. Said they stopped a while ago. Hopefully this thread has enough key words for it to pop up in the next guys search Thank you everyone for helping me figure this out!
I think my brother and I bought the last of the main leaves from P&J's stock a couple years ago on our way to the HAMB Drags.
ok, some pics. my dilemma same as yours, maybe not quite as bad, but same issue. what we're lookin at is 34 frame, 34 axle -4", model a perches, model a main spring reversed by me, 6 35 leafs trimmed to size with a plasma cutter and a model t spring for a guide, 34 spindles with 1/4" square stock welded around the outside to bring it up to 40 backing plate size,holes filled and re-drilled for the 40 bolt pattern, etc, all been done before. i knew there was trouble when the shackles were not full horizontal with no motor in place. so once the motor squished it all down i had shackles past 45 like yours. i also at that point could see what a shitty job i did on reversing the spring. once the spring pack had a load on it, you could see things didnt fit as well as they should. it was a little wavy, and got flat at the ends. didnt match the upper spring. took it apart, put some more arch on the ends, pressed some lumps out, put one more custom length 2nd spring, and removed one from the top. now have 7 leafs total, and a 3/8" block under the main leaf so the bolt plate doesnt bottom out on the cross member. its better now, but ...i assume once the body is on and all the other weight, it will be reworked again. i am having similar issues at the back and have decided to leave it all alone until the final weight is on. hope this helps, skip
You cut your 35 Ford leaves narrower with a plasma cutter? Don't you think the heat affected the temper? And, why not just use the leaves from any 28-34 spring?
i should also mention there is currently 2 1/2" to the rubber bumper above the axle. not enough i suspect after the body drop
yes, i trimmed the springs with a plasma cutter. very little heat with a plasma cutter. no temper damage i am quite sure. i did it because the later springs are a thing of beauty in my opinion, the way they taper down so thin at the ends, and have a gentle point to them. model a's have clipped corners, and 32-34 are square and butt ugly, especially the one i had, note the pits on the cross member and multiply by 5. i once tried to grind model a springs to look like the later v8 springs, and my goodness...dont try that unless you have nothing to do for about a week
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