Front lowere, now lots of bounce

[Ford Blue blood]

Mine is a full 63 Bird skin.  Actually three hoods.  The 57 inner structure,the rear portion of a totally rusted out at the front 57 hood and the skin off the Bird.  Just happen to notice the curve of the two was almost exactly the same.

[KULTULZ]

-!!! BEAUTIFULLY DONE !!!-

- 1963 BIRD DONOR -

[lalessi1]

There are several things to know before altering your front springs. Best to find someone who has changed springs and is satisfied with their results before you start. Stock 57 springs are rated between 2025 and 2325 lbs depending on model and equipment. Most are 2225. Probably best to get a recommendation from a known supplier/vendor.  (Try to find an old guy who has been around a while.)

Good luck,

Ron.

Ron I thought the spring rates were expressed in lbs/in and the spring rates are somewhere around 400 (give or take) lbs per inch of compression for stock springs. Are you thinking of the maximum load per corner?

The Aerostar springs are 600 lbs per inch but they are way shorter.

When you cut springs the spring rate goes up. Besides dropped spindles the best solution is the same spring (bar length and diameter) rate with a shorter wound height.

[Ford Blue blood]

Remember springs are just a torsion bar wound up.  Cutting them shortens them increasing "spring rate". 

Example, when racing the Boss 302 the Ford suspension modification guild called out using 69 - 70 Torino station wagon springs with two turns cut off to give 650 lbs/in spring rate and a two inch drop with moving the upper control arm inner mount location down one inch.