Longer front Shackles

I am putting a Speedway straight front axle under my Falcon and to achieve the "right" look, I had to make some longer spring shackles (4" c to c vs. 1 1/2" c to c). Tried with axle under the springs-too high. Axle over the springs-too low. Then added a 1 1/2" tall block to the frame rails at the front and the 4" shackles and everything looks great. Is there anything bad about using a longer shackle. I felt that using 1/4" x 1 1/2" steel flatbar should be of sufficient strength, or should I use 3/8"?

 

Pics would help...sounds like you're on the right path.

 

Not a real good picture, but shows the shackle and mount

 

Well there's 2.5 in the shackels and 1.5 in the block for a total of 4". That shackel looks far too vertical to me ; that may cause you serious problems.
Why not reconfigure the mount for the standard shackels at the proper angles?

 

Longer shackles are going to make it handle worse in my opinion.....will tend to wander more

 

Yes, the angle is all wrong. I tacked the blocks there to work with the short shackles, so they would have to be moved. I guess I could built a taller mount setup to use the short shackles.

 

long shackles will make it less stable and add to the steering effect when turning

 

All things equal, just moving that mount to correct the angle will lower the car again by 1/2 the length of the those shakles pictured.

 

The shackles should be at about a 45 degree angle, correct?

 

Messing with things again now. went back to short shackles, added additional 1 1/2" blocks to make total of 3" of lift. Looks pretty close now. (yes, I know the shackle angle is off and I'm not using the 2x4 wood blocks). Maybe build the risers from 1/4" plate (.024" aluminum pattern clamped in place) and weld into correct position only after checking oil pan clearance when it arrives tuesday.

 

That makes more sense to me. I wouldn't think the bracket would need to be that massive, but 0.25 for sure with some lateral stiffener. Some thing like an L on its side with some vintage curves, look at some if the other bracketry on your car.

45* is neutral position at ride height with full weight.

Look like axle is way far forward compared to the fender.

 

Mover axle rearward, fabbed new front spring mounts and tacked them on. I think it looks pretty good. Pictures tomorrow.

 

A couple of pictures. The shackle angle looks pretty close when I have a little more front weight. Everything will remain tacked in place until the car's complete.

 

I'll try again