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EFV-8 Club Forum / General Ford Discussion / 1940 ford pick up front spring demension

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Discussion Topic: 1940 ford pick up front spring demension -- page: 1 2

Harry1011

04-28-2012 @ 1:20 PM

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Just got my front spring back from being re-ached. Anyone know the eye to eye measurement. This looks over ached.

Thanks,
Harry

supereal

04-28-2012 @ 1:58 PM

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Harry: The standard front spring for your '40 pickup is an 11 leaf unit. Re-arched springs almost always seem to be too short to fit the shackles. You will need to spread the spring. It can be done with a "port-a-power" tool, usually available from a rental place, or you can jack up one end of the spring at a time, after the center U clip is installed, until the shackle pins will fit the eyes. We use a floor jack for that purpose. Just be careful. Springs store a lot of energy, and can be dangerous until they are secured.

Stroker

04-28-2012 @ 4:12 PM

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Harry and Super: I need to get my 38 wagon front spring re-arched. Who's the best? Right now, I've got a Hellwig stabilizer on it which my dad installed in the 40's. This was a popular Ford "crutch", but it limits spring travel somewhat. Now's a good time for me
to do this, as I have all the front-end sheet metal off. While the spring is off, I plan
upon replacing the bushings in the hangers, as they have become petrified, and "offset".

Harry1011

04-28-2012 @ 8:27 PM

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Thanks for the info and help. I have a porta-power and will try installing the spring tomorrow. As for Stroker, we have two good spring shops in Northern NH. Check with your parts supply. They usually know of any spring shops in your area.

Harry

alanwoodieman

04-29-2012 @ 7:21 PM

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look for a big truck suspension shop in your area, most likely they can help, if not they should be able to send you to the right place

TomO

05-01-2012 @ 7:00 AM

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Stroker, have you looked for a replacement spring? There may be some NOS Ford springs around and very likely some period aftermarket springs. Re-arching the springs usually does not restore the ride as well as a new spring will.

Mike Dennis had a large supply of NOS springs in the 1990s when I contacted him for one for my car.

Tom

Stroker

05-01-2012 @ 7:07 AM

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Tom: I'll check that out. My problem with going with a truck shop is that neither they nor I
would have a clue as to what the original arch should be. Thanks for the info!

Dan

supereal

05-01-2012 @ 11:26 AM

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Dan: I'd opt for a new spring. Most old ones have wear pockets, and plenty of metal fatigue. Since you live close, you could try Chassis Engineering at West Branch. Last time I was there, they had racks of springs.

kubes40

05-01-2012 @ 1:06 PM

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I side strongly with the folks that suggest you find a new spring. Re-arced springs even when done correctly will not keep their "lift" as new one would. Remember the steel is old, has become brittle and is fatigued.
there is no way around that.
NOS springs can be had. Easier yet is finding NOS main leaves.

Stroker

05-01-2012 @ 4:04 PM

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Super & Kube:

I checked the site in West Branch, and it appears that for less that $150 bucks, my troubles could
be solved. For some reason, it seems like dad always had front spring issues on his 38 wagon.
His solution was a Helwig "stabilizer", which basically put the spring in a "bind" by drawing the
eyes together via an auxiliary s-shaped, 2-part main leaf that was adjusted with horizontal U-bolts
that acted to pull the eyes together. Interesting piece, and after driving this car off and on since
the mid-50's, I will attest that it worked. I have kept this "crutch", as it is a period correct
accessory, and will probably re-install it on my new front spring just to fake out those who have
never seen one.

Dan

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