The Ford Barn

Fred A · 10-28-2018, 05:10 PM

My rolling passenger car chassis is getting connected to the stabilizer and shocks. The spring and wishbone are bolted in with no body or engine/trans/radiator yet attached. That puts the front at the top of the spring arch=tall. Setting the stage: The 3" shocks links don't aim directly at the wishbone/axle bolt, so the link nuts hit/rub the stabilizer swivel and angles of the stabilizer vs the shock arms suggests that longer links are in order. The EV8 club book calls for 3" for my coupe. Will the weight of the engine and the rest of the car bring the assembly into reasonable alignment? A real struggle to get this thing put together with the concern about binding or other conflicting geometry. What have I left out? Please: Fred A

19Fordy · 10-28-2018, 05:38 PM

Fred, I would think that you need the weight of the engine to make the job easier.

deuce_roadster · 10-28-2018, 06:20 PM

I would put the shock links and stabilizer on after the rest of the car is assembled. The weight of everything will make that a lot easier. Assuming all the parts and engine are stock.

JSeery · 10-28-2018, 06:26 PM

If your using all stock parts it should assemble correctly. The engine and body weight should compress the spring height.

Kube · 10-28-2018, 07:55 PM

As others have stated, installing the engine, etc. will compress the spring and make it easier for you to install the shock links.

Want to know what else will make it easier? Use the correct links. 1940 Fords equipped with a sway bar had 4" links installed - not 3".

19Fordy · 10-29-2018, 02:19 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Thanks Mike. I didn't know that.

Fred A · 10-29-2018, 07:50 PM

Got my shaved cylinder heads back today, the last delay for the engine assembly. That will put some mass to the... front. The need for the extra inch of shock link then can be seen in a more realistic stance. Did I say stance? Hate that term. Too often used to justify poor engineering. Tested some old Merc shock link to see where it is going and I like it. Just short of a correct change in the links, and find it a problem solved. Thanks to the Ford Barn friends: Fred A

10-28-2018, 05:10 PM	#1
Fred A Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Encino California, near Burbank Posts: 935	'40 Front Axle Assembly Tough Fit? My rolling passenger car chassis is getting connected to the stabilizer and shocks. The spring and wishbone are bolted in with no body or engine/trans/radiator yet attached. That puts the front at the top of the spring arch=tall. Setting the stage: The 3" shocks links don't aim directly at the wishbone/axle bolt, so the link nuts hit/rub the stabilizer swivel and angles of the stabilizer vs the shock arms suggests that longer links are in order. The EV8 club book calls for 3" for my coupe. Will the weight of the engine and the rest of the car bring the assembly into reasonable alignment? A real struggle to get this thing put together with the concern about binding or other conflicting geometry. What have I left out? Please: Fred A

10-28-2018, 05:38 PM	#2
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 10,925	Re: '40 Front Axle Assembly Tough Fit? Fred, I would think that you need the weight of the engine to make the job easier.

10-28-2018, 06:20 PM	#3
deuce_roadster Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Shelton, WA Posts: 3,799	Re: '40 Front Axle Assembly Tough Fit? I would put the shock links and stabilizer on after the rest of the car is assembled. The weight of everything will make that a lot easier. Assuming all the parts and engine are stock.

10-28-2018, 06:26 PM	#4
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: '40 Front Axle Assembly Tough Fit? If your using all stock parts it should assemble correctly. The engine and body weight should compress the spring height.

10-28-2018, 07:55 PM	#5
Kube Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 8,990	Re: '40 Front Axle Assembly Tough Fit? As others have stated, installing the engine, etc. will compress the spring and make it easier for you to install the shock links. Want to know what else will make it easier? Use the correct links. 1940 Fords equipped with a sway bar had 4" links installed - not 3". __________________ "I can explain it for you. However, I can't understand it for you".

10-29-2018, 02:19 PM	#6
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 10,925	Re: '40 Front Axle Assembly Tough Fit? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Thanks Mike. I didn't know that.

10-29-2018, 07:50 PM	#7
Fred A Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Encino California, near Burbank Posts: 935	Re: '40 Front Axle Assembly Tough Fit? Got my shaved cylinder heads back today, the last delay for the engine assembly. That will put some mass to the... front. The need for the extra inch of shock link then can be seen in a more realistic stance. Did I say stance? Hate that term. Too often used to justify poor engineering. Tested some old Merc shock link to see where it is going and I like it. Just short of a correct change in the links, and find it a problem solved. Thanks to the Ford Barn friends: Fred A