Core Support Location/Adjustment?

[KYBlueOval]

Rich,I appreciate the offer to get the measurement, but that won't be necessary. I'm going to a Man Mall (Read Junk Yard!) on Saturday, and there are several'57's a '58 and several '59's for me to examine and source parts from.
Do you, or anyone on the Forum know, if these shims and retainers are the same for all 3 years '57 '58 & '59?
Thanks
John

[djfordmanjack]

Guys, just reposting from what I collected on this forum concerning the front core support hardware ( and what Rich mentioned).
I think Lynn at one time ran a small badge of springs, or at least wanted to have them done, but I never got around purchasing one.

here's some further info I saved in my files

The bolt major diameter is nominal 5/8", the threaded end is 3/8"NF. Overall length is 4", threaded length 5/8". Shims are 
2 1/4" square 1/8" thick.

[djfordmanjack]

more

[RICH MUISE]

excellent info to add, Guenter. I posted a link in the technical links area to this thread. Too much important info assembled here tnot be able to find easily.

[lalessi1]

I bought the "pucks" from Carpenter and they were not correct, one should have a bigger hole. I called them and they were upset that this had happened. The shims are a fixed size and number, you vary the clearance by moving them from one side of the spring to the other as I recall. I have some extras if you need them. I would up using the original felt "puck".

[KYBlueOval]

Thanks, Rich, Guenter and Lynn. Very good information. Just what I needed. Going "shopping" at the Man Mall tomorrow. Hope these parts are there.
John

[djfordmanjack]

This area is ONE important thing on a 57!!
When you first see that assembly and how it carries the whole frontend you can hardly believe that. It is very important so that the frontend with fenders has plenty of room to work, while the chassis twists and bends from road impact. It's a true 3 point mechanical structure, being fixed at both the a pillars and just in the middle at the front. we all know how the body  rubber mounts sag, and chassis twist from accident or hard use and how aligning 57 hoods, header panels and fenders can become a major pain. but the original design is very smart and leaves everything open for proper alignment. When I look at that front radiator core assemely, I still can't believe what they pulled off in Dearborn...  Awesome thinking and engineering. WOW !

[Ford Blue blood]

Guenter just think about the Retractable.  It is mechanically genius, all done before computers and design software!

[hiball3985]

Just a thought but the front is connected in three places actually. the center core support bolt/spring and the two bumper ends. So does the bumper flex with the body or does the bumper hold the front end from flexing?

[gasman826]

The bumper is pretty flexible.  I think the inner fender to bumper bracket is to dampen the bumper vibration.  The bumper would vibrate until it cracked and fell off.