would the t-bird oil pan fit my 272 with out bothering the oilpump

FORD IS LIFE OIL N GAS IS MY BLOOD

If you can find one at a reasonable price, lol, a T-Bird oil pan will give you about 2 more inches of clearance.

http://ford-y-block.com 

20 miles east of San Diego, 20 miles north of Mexico

thats very true ill take a few pics and post them n see what you guys can tell me everything is stock up front havent changed nothing the leafsprings are straight there not arched ill take some pics tommarow morning and post them up for you guys

FORD IS LIFE OIL N GAS IS MY BLOOD

Can you post up a picture showing what you've got going on under there? I've done what you're trying to do and can maybe give some advice...

_____



Billerica, MA

ok so i was under the truck today to see how much i would be able to drop it and i was looking at the oil pan and it looks like i have 3 inches before the axle and the oil hit what can i do about that

FORD IS LIFE OIL N GAS IS MY BLOOD

IMMA DO IT  lol imma take out 2 leafs from the top from each side ill let you guys know how it goes

FORD IS LIFE OIL N GAS IS MY BLOOD

Frank,

Thanks for the comment about a potential article in LFM.  I have sent Colin a file of info and shared a willingness to write something.  We are talking about it, but it may be a while.

Bing,

Love the truck, love the stance, you should be proud.  Are you still going to Columbus?  I know everyone there would love to see the truck. 

I just read an article in the July 2009 issue of Hotrod & Restoration Magazine (a trade mag).  It reminded me of the need to make sure the pinion angle is where it should be to keep the needle bearings spinning properly in the rear u-joint (especially when you drop it 6 inches).  Traditionally the engine/transmissions are mounted with a 3-degree downward angle and the pinion must be adjusted with leaf spring shims to a 3-degree upward angle.  This keeps the driveshaft level and those bearings spinning.  I lowered the rear axle in mine, but I didn't give it enough upward pinion angle.  I needed to change that as the u-joint bearings got a little flat last season.

57f100

In your last question about just leaving 3 leaf springs and leaving everything else alone, this is what the stance could look like.

I ran this 57 (I used to like 58 grilles better) on the street for 20 years like that.  It did fine with only 3 leafs left, but make sure they are the top three.  It could get a little bouncy, but new heavy duty gas charged shocks will help.

As I mentioned before, I always got the stance I wanted, but not the performance I needed.  There are many areas for gremlins to show up and rob you of the ride and steering quality that was experienced by owners when the trucks were new.

No matter which way you go, attention to a few small details will help.  Charlie Mc mentioned that he purchased new bushings and shackles, very important.  Anything to tighten up the axle will help (I currently use a panhard bar).  Another thing to look for is worn bolts and bolt holes in the spring hanger.  Attached is a picture of the egg shaped holes that were in mine.

Before...............

After welding the holes and redrilling.............

As a final note to this post, all your hard work may still be disappointing without a trip to your local front end alignment shop.  Modifications and repairs may only be half of the job needed, new shocks and a proper alignment including toe-in is easily the other half.

Charlie Burns Laton, Ca (South of Fresno)



BurnsRacing981@gmail.com

what if i leave my front leafsprings ontop the axle n i take out 2 leafs out how would it effect my suspencion and would the remaining 3 leafs handle the weight of the motor plus truck

FORD IS LIFE OIL N GAS IS MY BLOOD

Here is an article by Detroit Eaton Springs about monoleaf springs.  It rains on Monoleaves pretty hard for safety reasons.

 http://www.eatonsprings.com/monoleaf.htm

If you go to their home page you can also download a discussion of springs and some of the considerations for non stock selections.

I think for the front of my truck I will be using springs with a stiffer rate than stock, reversed eyes, and some de arch. This kind of work can be done by local spring shops, so I am hoping that this will be pretty economical also.  I have a HD truck pan that is a little deeper than a pickup pan which limits how close the axle can come to the frame.  I hope to add a antisway bar and maybe a Panhard rod to keep the axle centered under the truck.  I take Charlie Burns concerns about keeping the steering linkage as nearly horizontal as possible very seriously.

BTW I think this kind of discussion is very appropriate for the Y block site since it will ultimately keep more Y powered vehicles operating.

Doug T

The Highlands, Louisville, Ky.

LETS KEEP IT PUBLIC yes its hard and lots of work that goes into dropping these trucks iv been thinking about taking out 2 leafs from the front on each side and see if the truck drops down but im scared that the let over 3 wont handle all the stress from the weight of the motor n stuf

FORD IS LIFE OIL N GAS IS MY BLOOD