Counting number of leaves in a spring

[Will N]

Stupid question probably, but when counting the number of leaves in the Model A leaf spring, do you include the bottom leaf that has the shackle eyes? Do you include the little top leaf?

[jw hash]

you count all of the leaf's

[Will N]

Thanks, I thought so. I bought a rear leaf spring a at flea market that appears to have had one leaf added, as there are two leafs (leaves?) that are the same length, 12 altogether. I thought this wasn't right, as there are supposed to be 11 in the heavier car spring, but wanted to be sure.

[Joe K]

Actually, I think the MOST leaves in a Model A Rear Spring is 10. That is in the pickup - and a few other of the larger bodied sedans.

Of those that have 10 leaves, there are variations in the thickness and length of the leaves to make a different "spring rate." The pickup has the thickest and strongest leaves, the others lesser stiffness - but still 10 leaves.

You may have a "mix & match." Somebody who wanted a car to carry around a heroic sized mother-in-law in the back seat? You know - the kind of Mother-in-law you spell MOTHER-IN-LAW and say YES to instinctively and out of self defense?

Your solution may be to carefully document what you have leaf by leaf using a micrometer and an accurate steel tape. Then compare it against Marco's spring chart to see what you REALLY have.

Take a look here for the spring chart. It's actually kind of ingenious how Ford limited the number of spring options but was still able to combine variations togehter to adapt to the different cars.

http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showpo...08&postcount=2

Joe K

[Will N]

You are correct, I misspoke in my earlier note. 10 is the correct number of leaves for the heavier bodies, and the one I have has 11, one duplicate leaf added about mid pack.

[Joe K]

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Ok. So Mom isn't quite so large? Maybe that's a good thing.

Now go down and find out the thicknesses of the leaves - then follow the color codings and determine which of the vertical lines it is.

Marco's chart doesn't tell you which vertical line corresponds to which vehicle - but instinctively you can tell the right-hand most one is the pickup (heaviest leaves) Someone who is familiar with the color codes on the chart can maybe tell you what vehicle if you line up with "green" or "blue" or whatever.

It may make a difference to you. That pickup spring is pretty "taut."

Joe K

[Tom Wesenberg]

Here is Marco's spring chart.

[Will N]

Thanks fellas. I have the spring apart, and will start measuring. What is the meaning of the "dummy" leaf shown on the chart, below leaf 1? I went on Marco's site to try to find this chart and an explanation, but couldn't locate it.

[Joe K]

I think the dummy leaf was simply a "spacer" used between the smallest leaf (no. 1) and the frame? This to allow Ford to use the same U-bolting used on the rest of the springs?

This would have been used on the Roadster, IIRC. Comparatively the "softest" spring available with only 7 leaves.

Joe K

[Will N]

If I'm reading the chart right, it looks like l leaves shown in positions 10 and 7 are the top, shortest leaves, as they have the chamfer on the edges that allow them to fit tight into the cross member. So the dummy would be below the longest leaf, number 1.

[Mike Conshafter]

The "dummy" spring, for roadsters only is below the main leaf. It is about 10" long, cut off square at the ends, not chamfered. It it acts like spacer, the same spring bar as the 8 leaf coupe spring is used to mount it in place.

[Will N]

Who knew there was so much to know about springs! Well it turns out I have a "D" spring, according to Marco's chart, for Fordors etc. (if I remove that extra leaf). Thanks to all who chimed in!

[tbirdtbird]

leaves is right on for the plural