<!-- / icon and title --> <!-- message --> What do y'all do to compensate for the extra engine weight?

My front axle is banging against the frame.
I got the best Monroe shocks and I took the rubber frame bumpers off because when the axle hit the rubber, it jarred my teeth and I was hoping the extra free space would solve the problem.

 

It sounds like you need some heavier duty springs to compensate for the xtra weight.

 

I agree with B/B!

The shock absorbers don't support that weight, they just buffer movement.

You need to bolster up your existing front springs. Of course they might have been a little weak to start with.

The 460 is only 100 pounds heavier than the Y-block. If you put an aluminum intake manifold on your engine they will only be about 20 -30 pounds different. That shouldn't effect your springs that much. (My 390 cast intake manifold weighed almost 100 pounds alone. I would imagine your 460 does too)

And I would say that with the 100 pounds difference (in a truck that you should be able to load with 1400 pounds of cargo and stay within the GVW rating) your springs were probably marginal to begin with.

 

Thank you
Hey BB, where do I find 'heavy duty' leaf springs for my truck?

Julie, its a pleasure to know that a GURL knows as much as you do about how springs and shocks function. I'd like to meet a woman like you.
This truck had the 6 cylinder and tiny standard transmission (C-6 now!) so the weight difference may be greater than 100 pounds.

 

The 57-60 models are probably the least popular of the "classic" truck years, so finding off-the-shelf replacement springs might be a bit more difficult than for a '56. So if the typical catalog outlet can't help you, there's always the option of a custom built set from a spring and suspension shop. At least going that route, you'll be sure to get just the right spring rate and ride quality you're looking for. You don't have your location in your profile, so there's no way for anyone here to help you with a local recommendation.

 

banned,

a fully dressed 460 in hat, girdle and high heels will tip the scales between 700-800#... your 6 banger springs are struggling to support it much less do their job...

your best bet is to check with a few of the local truck spring shops and see if they can twist you up something that can handle the heavy old girl... I'd say a minimum of 450# -500 # springs... you should see better handling also... you might even appreciate those Monroes when they can do what they are supposed to do.

Take it in and let them measure spring size, coil diameter and amount of suspension travel... I can't imagine it would run you more than a couple hundred...

One other option is a performance spring maker like Pro Spring or Eaton Spring already have what you're looking for

here's some options

http://www.hypercoils.com/Products/H...s-Springs.aspx

www.eatonspring.com

later
john

 

They are leaf springs, John

 

embarrassed and red faced, John turned and walked to the corner for a time out

sorry, I"m been thinking Mustang II for too long... but you're still gonna need stronger springs I'm sure..

john

 

Get those bumpers back in!!! They limit movement of the axle to prevent overstress. The fact you're hitting them at all means your whole setup is not matched to the weight of the new configuration.

Ask BobbyTNM what happens when you don't have bumpers and hit a big pothole

 

Yes! Please put the bump stops back in. Here's what can happen if you don't have them;


As you can see in the pic, the bump stop is clearly not in place. Whoever was putting this truck together....I'm not going to mention any names here, but his initials are Bobby T.....failed to put the bump stops back in after fabricating engine mounts and painting the frame. One night while driving this thing pretty hard I hit a pretty good sized pothole and everything went wonky.

I got lucky and my good buddy Ross just happened to have a set of springs that he was going to toss....woohoooo

Either get yourself some heavier springs, add a few leaves to your existing springs, or have them rebuilt by a local spring shop.

Bobby

 

And guys, please remember that even though he may have had a stock 6 cylinder, the springs are the same for both 6 cylinder and Y-block. So design application is still at about 100 lbs difference (maybe 150 on a warm day). The 460 is weight rated at 720 pounds - the (OEM springs designed to support) Y-block 625. Peripherals are the same for both engines (unless there's a power steering pump, thermactor, or air conditioning pump - alternator weighs less). That C6 will add 100 pounds but that's center weight.

I still don't think 100 pounds of extra front weight should cause this type spring collapse.

Look at it in a "softer" light. The extra weight of the C6 - that 100 pounds - would be the same as a 14 year old boy sitting in the passenger seat. And the extra 100 pounds of front weight for the engine would be the same as that 14 year old stepping up on the front bumper. When talking about a big ol 460 it's easy to get mind set on almost half a ton of cast metal it impresses one as HEAVY! In this lite - with 100 pounds of Boy standing on bumper - it seens a little less traumatic to the brain. "What's lighter 100 pounds of feathers or 100 pounds of lead shot?"

Should the springs go limp - no, not even close.

PS. I just spent $2000 on new steering gear and springs and I really quized the guys doing the work to no end. They are supposedly the best in San Diego County-maybe Southern California (and the car hobby is pretty expanded out here). So, it's just a matter of passing on what other folks told me, to pass on to you. You learn a lot here too from guys like Jon and AX Racer.

I just updated my "Question for the front end savy" thread when my springs in the back were finished. It might make interesting reading if you are going through your suspension. I learned alot from that discussion.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...-end-savy.html

Jon, you can come out of the corner now. LOL! I'll bet you just read the thread about cutting the springs on the MII that a couple places up on the list.

 

Dont you just hate it when Julie is right??
When I disassembled the spring packs I found 6 leaves on each side and evidence that number 7 had been removed.
I looked thru my spare parts and found a pair of rear springs from a 1956 Ford pickup that were 1/16' thicker and made new spring packs with leaves from those.
Heres before and after pictures.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/34245039@N00/4658189188/" title="spring by farmgate, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1305/4658189188_879af6cdd1.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="spring" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/34245039@N00/4657567861/" title="julie by farmgate, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4037/4657567861_8f928de7b9.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="julie" /></a>

 

MUCH BETTER!!!!

 

will you marry me?