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Projects aerostar coils in my 60 olds Dynamic

Discussion in 'Traditional Customs' started by Lono, Nov 16, 2016.

  1. Lono
    Joined: May 10, 2007
    Posts: 1,656

    Lono
    Member

    "Reckless Abandon" is getting the winter body and paint work done.
    Im thinking of dropping the front with a set of aerostar coils like I have in different cars in the past.
    I've used them with great success on a 57 ranchero w/ 302, 57 ranchwagon w/ 390, a 57 fairlane w/ 460. 2 50 fords, one with a flatty, one with a 302. Each have been a pleasure to drive after the install.

    Comments from the hood? Should I? Will i be happy with the ride, with the 371 be too heavy? Anyone actually have experience doing the swap in an olds and not just a belly button?
     

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  2. Blues4U
    Joined: Oct 1, 2015
    Posts: 7,589

    Blues4U
    Member
    from So Cal

    I can't answer your question, and I don't mean to redirect your thread, but I'm curious, why not just cut a coil or 2 from the stock springs? That would drop the ride height while also increasing the spring rate, which is kind of what you want, isn't it?
     
  3. ^^^ what he said,,I tried the 'star coils on my '53 DeSoto hemi' 2 door, it was too heavy. I'd guess the same with the Olds'. I cut one coil on the stock springs, a one inch shortening, that gave a two inch drop at the fender edge due to suspension geometry, works fine.
     
  4. flatheadpete
    Joined: Oct 29, 2003
    Posts: 10,478

    flatheadpete
    Member
    from Burton, MI

    BIG car like that.....just trim a coil or two. IIRC, in high school a friend had one and we cut 2. It sat great!!
     

  5. oldrelics
    Joined: Apr 7, 2008
    Posts: 1,727

    oldrelics
    Member
    from Calgary

    I took 1 1/2 coils out of my 61 and its perfect with a sbc.
     
  6. 1pickup
    Joined: Feb 20, 2011
    Posts: 1,436

    1pickup
    Member

    My kid has a '60 (white also). I looked under & noticed that the lower A arms have the riveted on lower plate. Knock the rivets out, put 2" square tubing between it & the arm (drill holes to line up with the rivet holes, of course) & bolt it back together. Quick & easy way to lower without changing the spring rate.
     
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  7. Hnstray
    Joined: Aug 23, 2009
    Posts: 12,355

    Hnstray
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Quincy, IL

    It is astounding that so many people think "Aerostar" springs are like "Magic Beans" or some such. The fact that they are "reported" to work well in several applications certainly does not mean they do in fact, or will work well in ALL applications. It is simple physics, spring rate, leverage, weight of vehicle front end are all part of an equation. Any significant variation in one or more of the factors, one vehicle to the next, yields a different result.

    Ray
     
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  8. Lono
    Joined: May 10, 2007
    Posts: 1,656

    Lono
    Member

    Like I've said , I have use are star coils in 50 fords, 50 mercs and 3, 57 fords. I checked out the weight difference between the v8 57 ford Fairlane 500 and the olds. At about 700 more I agree it's too heavy. Bagging isn't an option so Im thinking of clipping the coils and going with a set of lowering block.
     
  9. Lono
    Joined: May 10, 2007
    Posts: 1,656

    Lono
    Member

    May have to think about this a little too, thank you
     
  10. Lono
    Joined: May 10, 2007
    Posts: 1,656

    Lono
    Member

    You wouldn't have a picture of your sons car would you? I'm liking this idea the more I think about it. I'd sure like to see his cars stance.
     
  11. Hnstray
    Joined: Aug 23, 2009
    Posts: 12,355

    Hnstray
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Quincy, IL

    Instead of immediately selecting a particular dimesion of square tube, just drill the rivets out and replace them with bolts about 3" long and 'lower' it via the bolts to see how much drop at the 'A' arm gives you at the wheel opening or rocker panel. Then you know for sure what dimension tube you need to insert in between the spring plate and 'A' arm.

    Ray
     
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  12. 1pickup
    Joined: Feb 20, 2011
    Posts: 1,436

    1pickup
    Member

    We haven't lowered his - YET. But, Hnstray has a good suggestion. I used this method on my '49 Merc. Bought a kit from Butch's Cool Stuff. Could have made it myself for a fraction on the cost. Just watch the scrub line, 'cause if you go too radical, you could have a problem if you blow a tire.
     
  13. Lono
    Joined: May 10, 2007
    Posts: 1,656

    Lono
    Member

    Yeah, sounds right.
     
  14. Lono
    Joined: May 10, 2007
    Posts: 1,656

    Lono
    Member

    You're right. I'm not after a weed wonder, just a little lower. I think 2 inches would do it well.
    not big on air bags but that's just me.
     
  15. I had the Aerostars in my '59 Ford, looked great but the tires scraped the front fenders. I put the stock springs in with 1 coil removed. So far so good and may go another 1/2 coil one of these days.
     

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