P.F,
"Contlnental kits can be more of a pain than they're worth... "  My 1st experience ...   if proves too much, I can always remove. I'll have to see how it goes.
Still looking for specific brand & model information for replacement shocks.
Thanks. JLB

55 Ford Crown Victoria Steel Top

Yes,this problem has come up before.. apparently a couple of manufacturers list shocks for mid 50's Fords..that are too short. On my 57 car the rears are Gabrials & are marginal for clearence. As I recall, I added a one or two xtra shock washers at the bottom, there was enough thread, & can get by.. In my opinion, Contlnental kits can be more of a pain than they're worth...   


Paul

Check your local parts store for a cross reference.
http://www.kakapart.com/oem/partscrossinterchange/autozone-g63398.html



Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire

Thanks, again,
 According to Gabriel, the G63398 shocks have been discontinued.
I also tried several sources on "The Web" which all said either unavailable or discontinued.
Anything else?
Regards, JLB

55 Ford Crown Victoria Steel Top

I have those Gabriels on my lowered 56 and they helped a lot. With 8" rims and stock tires they change easily. 

Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire

I have the stock shocks on my 56 and it is not lowered. My rims are 15-6” instead of the original 5” width with 215-75 series tires. The original bumper jack works fine. Since your only jacking up one side it comes down at an angle and the tire is tight but comes out. The stock 5” wide spare goes in easy. I do use a small scissor jack under the axle to just barely raise the wheel off the ground for protection. I have also left on the bumper guards so the bumper jack will not slip. I also use towels to protect the chrome.

I will say if my car is on a rack at a shop I request to be there when it comes down as the shackles will flip and are a real pain to get back one at a time with a long pry bar and 2 jacks…

56 Vic, B'Ville 200 MPH Club Member, So Cal.

Ted,
Thanks; It looks like good information - I'll check it out further.
One of the threads referred that Gabriels had 3" more travel than KB's; I'll look at their respective spec's.
If anyone else has specific experience, I'd like to hear bout it too.
Regards, JLB

55 Ford Crown Victoria Steel Top

See if one of these links to past threads helps.
http://forums.y-blocksforever.com/FindPost74608.aspx
http://forums.y-blocksforever.com/FindPost74631.aspx

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

Thanks, folks,
I'm still looking; does anybody have the compressed/extended length specs (especially extended!)?  I know that this was discussed here quite some time ago; but, I wasn't able to find through "search" function.
Many places sell shocks (supposedly) for this car; but, I also know that some folks on here and elsewhere have had problems with the extended length being too short to allow tire changes without letting air out of the rear tires - I'm trying to totally avoid that "pain".
Regards, JLB

55 Ford Crown Victoria Steel Top

How about looking for a set of old fashioned air shocks? I’ve got a buddy with a 56 scrubby Nomad that has an old but good set on the back. When he loads it up, he adds air to bring it level. Doesn’t make much difference in the ride, just works. No compressor on board, he just airs them together thru a fitting in back. You could use the trunk, or hide it under the Connie kit.

You might need to find a good counter guy, or get into the online catalogs to check dimensions (extended/compressed) and car weight, but I’ll bet they’re out there in Monroe or Gabriel (or whoever owns them now). Might even try the Ford barn and see if the Courier guys have a lead.

Those would let you level the car now, and would possibly replace the helper springs when you replace the main springs someday. There weren’t many Connie kits on the full size cars, so likely the replacement springs will either need help, or have to be custom made for the weight. Wagon springs maybe?

miker
55 bird, 32 cabrio F code
Kent, WA
Tucson, AZ