Slumlord,

The center of the drivers headlight is 26.5 inches empty. I don't go 170lbs, and I have no way to measure with me in it.

The front tire is a 225/60 15 with a catalog height of 25.60 inches.

The car has, a/c, power steering and brakes, adding weight.

It has aluminum heads, intake, front cover, water pump, headers, and radiator, lowering weight. I can't put a number on that, unfortunately.

One of the members used the Aerostar springs with Granada spindles, and felt it was too low. Others have not. There's also a couple of spring spacers on the Mustang sites that will fit our springs, either top or bottom, and raise it either 1/2 or 1 inch. So I'm told, I haven't used them.

miker
55 bird, 32 cabrio F code
Kent, WA
Tucson, AZ

Slumlord,

I'll get a measurement tomorrow. This is the Goodguys show this weekend up here, and it might be late when I get back tomorrow. In the meantime, the drag racers can discuss whether the progressive rate is better or worse on launch. I don't have a clue. It's way better bending into a corner.

Before I put the tri bar four link and coil overs in the back, I had original Traction Masters on the rear springs. You're right, they work. Charlie Is probably right about the Caltrans, they were after my time.

miker
55 bird, 32 cabrio F code
Kent, WA
Tucson, AZ

Since the front only has spacers which are not stock, remove those, and use that height as a reference to level the rear.  Almost the opposite of what you did originally.



Lawrenceville, GA

Don't have any info with the car empty.  Get your SO and a friend to help.


54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

Miker, yes I'm interested. I plan on dismantling the front end this winter for a complete re build and that would be a good time to make the switch.
Paul2748, Thanks, that's what I needed. Any idea what the measurements are with the car empty?

Since you want to use the same springs and drag race, get your ride height by re arching.  Get some good traction bars, like Caltracs.  They are expensive, but worth every penny.  They work and you won't even notice them on the street.



Lawrenceville, GA

Shaggy, you are correct.



Frank/Rebop

Bristol, In ( by Elkhart) 

I'm going to go a bit OT here. If you have stiffer rear springs, you might want to consider the Aerostar springs in the front. They're a little softer on the small bumps, but way stiffer as they compress. With the spacer the Mustang guys use, you'll raise it a bit. At about $65, they were the best money I ever spent on a front suspension on my 55 bird. Might give you better balance on the road, and no penalty at the strip. I'll go measure my front height if you'd like to know.

miker
55 bird, 32 cabrio F code
Kent, WA
Tucson, AZ

Ride height for 57 Birds
With 2 people in the car (300 LBs)
Measure front from ground level to center of the headlight
Measure rear from the ground to the center of the taillight

Front  28.07 inches
Rear 23.3 inches
Remember that the Tbird rear already has about a factory  1 inch lowering block (the spring mount)  vs the sedans which have nothing.  Be sure to check the lower part of the ubolts with the bottom of the rim.  If the ubolts are lower than the rim the ubolts could contact the ground in case of a flat.
I suggest re-arching the springs.




54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

I will be installing a period set of original Traction Masters. I made a home built set back in the day at the time I installed the wagon springs. Worked fine. No wheel hop even with cheater slicks and 5500 RPM launches at the drag strip.