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Leaf Spring SNAG!

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wishbone
Senior Member


Joined: 09 Apr 2006
Posts: 359
Leaf Spring SNAG!

I'm in the middle of replacing the rearend and cannot find a set of leaf spring insulators for my 63 Sports Coupe. I have called Dearborn, Mac's, NPD, Obsolete, Auto Krafters, and ESPO. No one has them or knows who does. Can aynone please help? Thanks

Post Tue Jan 16, 2007 2:49 pm 
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jmgford
Senior Member


Joined: 11 Mar 2006
Posts: 240

Are you looking to keep an original appearance?

If not, make yourself a pair bushings to center the housing on the spring center bolts and eliminate the insulators and upper plates, like Ford did in later years.

Post Tue Jan 16, 2007 5:43 pm 
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wishbone
Senior Member


Joined: 09 Apr 2006
Posts: 359

What Ford's are you talking about? I would like to have something to go by. Seeing is believing.

Post Tue Jan 16, 2007 8:08 pm 
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jmgford
Senior Member


Joined: 11 Mar 2006
Posts: 240

'65-'73 Mustangs Should be easy to find one of those.

Post Wed Jan 17, 2007 2:54 pm 
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steve
Senior Member


Joined: 12 Mar 2006
Posts: 220
Location: ontario

Mustang stuff is different. I think there is an Austrailian company making them. I will try to find out for you.
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Steve 64 S/C big brakes 8.8 rear 289 lentech AOD, strut front suspension

Post Wed Jan 17, 2007 8:28 pm 
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steve
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Joined: 12 Mar 2006
Posts: 220
Location: ontario

Found it. http://www.rubberconnection.com.au/ I think you will have to email them since they don't show the insulators on their website. I think they have a local company there making them. This is from an email from them:
We make the spring insulators from black polyurethane and have had a number of successful installations completed. The insulators are moulded oversize, total length is approx' 6". We did not have an original NOS to work from so the mould has 'square' corners that need to have the radius ground away to fit up to the saddle bracket and be cut to the required length depending on requirements for 63/64."
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Steve 64 S/C big brakes 8.8 rear 289 lentech AOD, strut front suspension

Post Wed Jan 17, 2007 8:43 pm 
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wishbone
Senior Member


Joined: 09 Apr 2006
Posts: 359

Thanks, I'll give them a try and let you know what I find out.

Post Wed Jan 17, 2007 10:28 pm 
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jmgford
Senior Member


Joined: 11 Mar 2006
Posts: 240

quote:
Originally posted by steve:
Mustang stuff is different.


Yeh, I know. They don't have then at all. That was the point, that the insulators are not required. One of the best performance mods to the rear suspension is getting rid of them.

Post Fri Jan 19, 2007 11:11 pm 
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wishbone
Senior Member


Joined: 09 Apr 2006
Posts: 359

If I do away with them completely, will that not be noisy and a place for some chirping? Thanks

Post Sat Jan 20, 2007 9:12 pm 
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jmgford
Senior Member


Joined: 11 Mar 2006
Posts: 240

No. They are only there to dampen road vibration. I have removed them on several of my Fairlanes, including my current one. I also have a '70 Maverick and, like Mustangs, it never had any to begin with.

Post Sat Jan 20, 2007 11:32 pm 
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scotta66gt
Senior Member


Joined: 09 Mar 2006
Posts: 396
Location: Arlington VA
Performance mod?

Howdy. On removing the leaf spring insulators, can you please elaborate on how they improve performance? I assume you mean handling. I'm not trying to challenge you or anything, just trying to understand, as I'm really trying to improve the handling on my 66 Fairlane.

My simple mind does not see the connection. Of course that prolly means my mind is simple, not that there is no connection.

TIA, Scott
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66 Fairlane GT
Daily Driver / Survivor

Post Sun Jan 21, 2007 9:54 am 
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jmgford
Senior Member


Joined: 11 Mar 2006
Posts: 240

Having those rubber insulators around the center of the springs allow movement (not a good thing). They also allow more spring "wrap-up" on hard acceleration (also not a good thing).

You won't find any under a '64 Fairlane Thunderbolt.

Post Sun Jan 21, 2007 6:20 pm 
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scotta66gt
Senior Member


Joined: 09 Mar 2006
Posts: 396
Location: Arlington VA
I see, said the blind man...

to the deaf woman. Thanks, Scott
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66 Fairlane GT
Daily Driver / Survivor

Post Sun Jan 21, 2007 6:26 pm 
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