Guys,



I'm new here, but not so new to old Fords (restoring Model A's and T's). Finally after many many years of wanting to do it, I replaced my first true love, my 1956 Ford (That was almost 40 years ago!).



I searched through the messages here and all over the net, but can't find info about replacement front coil springs. Is there a Moog number, or?



My little sweetheart is an exceptionally original car (right down to the Tangerine and black cloth upholstery), that someone started to make an "Old school cruiser" out of, among other things cutting the front springs down and lowering it two inches. I want to change allot of things back to more original, especially the height and ride! =-)



Glad to find your group!

Geo. - Ore.



AKA:

Geo. Shebley

Powell Butte, Ore,

Tee-Bird Products (610 363 1725) has '56 pass. car parts.

6 VOLTS/POS. GRD. NW INDIANA

Welcome! My reason for being here is very similar to yours. I lived 56 Fords for quite a while until I got married. In fact my avatar is my bride and I leaving on our honeymoon in a 56. I then began letting her fall into neglect and sold her for junk. I have regained interest in the past couple of years again and now have 4 1956 Fords. I also have 6 parts cars. I think Ford had good springs in those years. I think a good used pair would be good as new. I would have fears that reproduction springs would be made in China and not as good as used ones.

Kenneth

Fredricksburg, Texas

The best place for front coil spring is Eaton Detroit Spring Inc. They have the original patterns and are made to original load weights. I have used them for several years on several 55/56 Fords I have owned and built and have always been pleased with their product.



http://www.eatonsprings.com/



The other jobber springs I would be very suspect of as my experience has been they will sag out in a short time

Although I have not used them Eaton-Detroit have a very good rep.  While you are replacing the cut old springs you should give some thought to spring rates.  The spring rates are listed in the back of the '56 shop manual which will tell you what you should have had. Because E-D will be building them custom you could increase the spring rate at the original height or increased rate at lower height.  But you need to be able to tell them what you want. If you increase the spring rates and add a larger anti-sway bar, the car will corner much flatter which makes radial tires perform even better.  Remember the roads are better than they were in '56 so stiffer springs will actually ride better than new on todays roads.

Doug T

The Highlands, Louisville, Ky.

My experience is that 56 Fords usually ride a tad high in the front. So you might want to lower it about an inch to get it to look just right. But that's a judgment call..

Paul

Guys,



I wanted to say thanks everybody for the tips. I ordered front coil springs from Eatons for my 56 Fairlane. They have been installed, the car is back up at the right height, and the ride is 100 percent better!



Geo. - Ore.