Tech Question - 1934 Ford 3 Window Replica

Mike,

I recently purchased a 1934 Ford 3 window coupe replica.

To make a really long story short its an older kit that just never got put together, but in an excellent condition.

My first order of business is to get a rolling chassis. The build book that was provided by the manufacturer calls out for a Mustang II front end.

That's great, that's the suspension it came with, but I have and will be using an aftermarket setup with upper and lower a-arms. I got started with a leveled chassis, a-arms, yoke and leveled rotors and "NO springs installed" with proper a-arm angles.

I have about 9" where I need to install a 14" spring. Is this right? I haven't been able to compress the spring far enough to get it in there. Using a compression tool, I semi got it in there one time, but I was not able to compress it far enough to attach the lower a-arm and yoke to the upper a-arm.

It looked like I was getting ready to go off-road with this baby. I know I need to compress the spring to get it installed, but this is ridiculous. I was only able to compress it about 4".

I can probably get a good fit if I cut the tangential end of the springs to about 10" to 11", but I worry.

What will happen when I drop the engine and transmission?

Will the front end bottom out?

What should I do?

Or what will be a good starting point?

The springs have a flat end on one side and a tangential end on the other.

Julio

Julio,

When setting up a chassis it must be done with the same rake as the finished vehicle will be sitting at.

So if you are starting with the frame level and the car will sit with a rake, you will have trouble getting her right.

As for the springs, they are designed to support weight. Fitting the springs now without the motor and trans -and I'll bet a whole lot more- not installed on the car will result in the car sitting way too low when finished.

Most builders mock up the suspension with turnbuckles to sit the car at it's final height, and then install the springs once she is done.

Which Mustang II spring to use is based upon the year and engine size of the car.

We have 23 different springs which can be found here: Mustang II Coil Springs

-Mike