My '53 Chevy with a Mustang II front end rides harsh. I'm trying to figure out if it's the springs or the shocks that will make the most difference. Can someone measure the diameter of the wire on their front coils so I have something to compare to? (I don't know what my springs are, exactly, but I don't want to buy a new set and find that they're the same as what I've got.) Just measure how thick the actual spring is, if you don't mind. I'll climb under my car tonight and do the same. If my springs are the same as what others are using, I'll replace the shocks and see if that helps.
Is it bottoming? Is it moving at all? Those are the things that you can help with a spring change. If you snug a tie wrap around the shock shaft and go for a drive you can get a feel for that. How much suspension travel do you have? Sometimes snubbers can be cut down to give you a little extra travel. If all of that checks out shocks will probably help.
I've got plenty of travel, but the thing is just harsh over sharp bumps. I know it's not a new Cadillac, but I seem to remember Mustang IIs riding pretty okay. Mine's just not cushy enough. I got my suspension out of an actual Mustang II, except for the crossmember, so the springs are whatever it came with. What I'm trying to figure out is if I buy a new set from Heidt's or RB's if they'll be softer. I guess I'll change my shocks first, since that's cheaper and a lot easier than changing springs.
My 40 had a MII. When I first got it together it bottomed out all the time. I found out I had 4cyl springs. I figured I should get some V8 springs since thats what I had in the car. I talked to somebody who sells these frontends, don't remember who, and he advised V6 springs. They were great, solved all my troubles. It could be your springs are from a V8.
your 53 should be using V6 springs. I bought the whole kit from fatman for my 49 and my spring diameter is 9/16 inch... are your springs cut? that will stiffen it up quite a bit if you cut too much. lower A arms should be level.... speedway sells springs by spring rate.. we just took some 450 lb springs out of a 56 F-100 and replaces them with 500 to gain a little ground clearance... don't know how it rides, it's not together yet. hope this helps.
...as for shocks.. be sure they are not bottoming out. might need a shorter pair. the shock book at the parts house will have extended length, and compressed length measurements, you can shoose your new shocks that way rather than just telling them you need shocks for a mustang front end..
Thanks, that's exactly the info I needed. I'm trying to figure out if my springs are V-8 or V-6 springs.
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