1952-59 Ford Lowering blocks, how much is too much?

Just wondering when will I start bottoming out on everything? I was thinking of 3" blocks.

 

I think 3" is ok, but more than that and it would be bottoming out easy.

 

Good.

 

If you go lowering blocks be sure and make checking the u-bolts tightnening part of your maintenance routine. They like to loosen up more than if you stayed at stock ride height.

 

I'm on 3" blocks and all is well. But do check the U bolts as said above.

 

Ive got 3" blocks, de arched springs and several leafs removed and i only occasionally s****e my pipes on steep driveways. I don't think you have anything to worry about with just 3" blocks. But, if you go bigger than 3" blocks you have to be cautious of your scrub line FYI

 

Where do you guys buy your blocks for the narrow springs?

 

I'm using Posies rear 3" lowering leaf springs but try here for the blocks: http://www.butchscoolstuff.com/front-rear-lowering-kits-1/

 

3" blocks is about max without clearancing the driveshaft tunnel or frame rails.

I've lowered tons of cars with blocks over the years and this is the first time I've ever heard of "tightening u-bolts". Seems to me this is some made up story by someone who didn't tighten their ubolts after installing blocks, then when the rear end wobbled around they couldn't accept the fact that they did a sub par job and blamed the u-bolts, lol.

 

I have heard of guys making them out of 3x2 tubing.

 

I've made lots of them that way, but have aluminum blocks in my 56. And, I have also never had issue with u-bolts coming loose even on daily drivers.

 

I'm planning going on making a set of 3" out of aluminum block. I found a supplier that has 1 3/4" x 3" x 8" long aluminum bar stock. As far as the u bolts go. My local spring shop said the new u bolts that are coming out in these lowering kits are cheap Chinese ****. Prone to stretching.Which may be the cause of having to retighten periodically(?). I think it's good practice to check everything over after a few miles and maybe once more after a few more miles. I don't think it should be part of a normal maintenance routine though if quality parts are used.

 

I suspect you could be right on the Chinese junk for u-bolts causing them to possibly get loose. However, stretching (yielding) is a really bad deal and could cause much bigger issues. I try to get my u-bolts made locally to at least have some more confidence in them.

 

I get mine at the local spring shop. Makes them up while you wait and don't cost a fortune. Also the guy that runs the shop strides to have as much US made stuff as he possibly can.

 

We don't have a local spring shop anymore. Man I miss having one.

 

City Spring out of business?

 

Yep. Taken over by Fleet Pride and they moved the spring shop to Tulsa.

 

Are you planning on the 3" blocks after removing the continental kit? Wondering about dragging the back fairly often with it sticking out so far. Mine only has 2" and it has drug with all the kids and luggage in it.

 

Yeah the Cont kit will be coming off. You think 2 is enough?

 

With my car empty, I wish it had 3" blocks. With kids and luggage, 2" is plenty. Appears my avatar from St. Louis is the only pic I have loaded down.

 

My kids won't ride with me anymore.......

 

Less luggage and no riders...

 

I have 2" in mine and it's still a little tall for my taste. I was wanting the car to sit as close to level as possible. Here's a pic as it sits now.

 

Your shackles have been flipped which raises the rear of the car.

 

Here was mine before blocks.


Ignore the trailer in the pic... It was photoshopped in. Actually, that was right after I bought it and didn't know whether to trust it or not yet...

 

That's the way they were when I got it. Didn't know it was possible to flip them?

 

Yep, happens often. Spring eye should be above mount location in rear of frame. Love your wagon, by the way!

 

Yeah it official. I'm a bonehead! In our haste to get the car together the shackles were installed upside down. I had been wondering why my car sat do high in the back after the 2" blocks were put in. Thanks Bodie for pointing that out. I guess I got some work to do now. Thanks for the compliment Guthrie. After I get the rear back down it should look a lot better. At least to me anyway.

 

We've all done it. I put in a set of Posies springs on a 52 Chevy I had and was hot after it sat higher! Then, someone pointed out I had done the same thing...

 

I guess the question is how much will it bring it back down? I'm guessing the height of the shackle?