The '56 shop manual has a complete listing of the original spring specifications. If I remember correctly the free height is about 14.5" and the compressed height is about 9.5" for all springs. The table of springs does not list what cars the various springs go into but the lowest spring rate is about 250#/" and that spring goes in T birds.

Doug T

The Highlands, Louisville, Ky.

Seems like this thread is all over the place, so here goes some more.

I just wanted to say I just installed a Hotchkiss suspension kit on my Bird and it really made a gigantic difference in cornering and overall feel of the road. Bilstein shocks all around. I still plan to lower it more however It still has the the stock spec front 55 springs. I plan to replace them with the Aerostar soon and may use a drop cup for that and 1" blocks in back. I also USED to have a heavier front Station Wagon sway bar that I ran for 40 sumethin years. I had an extra leaf in the back that I removed and havent missed that at all! Much better! overall car height is the same as before but like I said needs to come down at least an inch. I'll get some pics up sometime soon.

       A  L  A  N   F  R  A  K  E  S   ~  Tulsa, OK    

Alan, Yeah. I think I may have hijacked it a little.



Ok, The springs that I took out of my RanchWagon are 15.5" long extended.

Here's a picture of how the tire sits in the well now.



"The Master Cylinder"

Enjoying life at the beach in SOCAL

Anyone done the Aerostar springs in their 57 Fairlane and willing to post info/pics?

I want to do this to mine too!

Mark

"God Bless Texas"location: Houston,TX

Will they settle too much with a Y block since its much heavier then the V6 that came in the van,in a couple years I will be putting a Y block back in my 55 and want to figure out what springs to use. Right now I have Fatmans dropped spindles but thinking about finding a disc brake kit that uses the original spindles.

Butchering up everything I can get my hands on in Dayton Ohio

Alan, could you post some info on the Hotchkis stuff. Is there a specific kit and part number? What parts did you install? I should be starting the Granada disc brake change soon, got the reamer from Speedway, so it might be good to get the Hotchkis stuff also if that fits my plan.



Thanks,

Mark

57 Black Tbird 312/auto

I tried to reply earlier today Mark but the message vanished into cyber space. Here goes again.

The Hotchkiss kit is available from Larrys TBirds in CA. pt #T18124A, T18125A.

I don't have the install directions handy (at the Shop) but it's pretty straight forward.

You can look at some similar setups online at the Hotchkiss site but I think you have to buy them from Larrys as I think they had them designed and made up as exclusive. 470 bucks not including shocks. Bilsteins are almost 100 per! but I like them.

I did for some reason have to add extenders on the rears as they were too short. even after visiting with Larry's? No explanation? They work now.

       A  L  A  N   F  R  A  K  E  S   ~  Tulsa, OK    

Thanks Alan. Seems like Larry's Tbird needs some customer service tuning. As far as shocks fitting the early Birds, RockAuto is a good source to check on applications. For what it's worth:



KYB's fit rear:



Guide: KYB 343219 Shock Absorber

BRICKLIN   SV-1   (1975 - 1976)

DAIHATSU   ROCKY   (1990 - 1992)

EDSEL   CITATION   1958

EDSEL   CORSAIR   1958

EDSEL   PACER   1958

EDSEL   RANGER   1958

FORD   CUSTOM   1957

FORD   FAIRLANE   (1962 - 1970)

FORD   FALCON   (1960 - 1970)

FORD   GALAXIE   1959

FORD   MUSTANG   (1964 - 1973)

FORD   RANCHERO   (1960 - 1965)

FORD   THUNDERBIRD   (1955 - 1957)

FORD   TORINO   (1968 - 1971)

JAGUAR   MARK X   (1962 - 1966)

MERCURY   COLONY PARK   (1957 - 1960)

MERCURY   COMET   (1960 - 1970)

MERCURY   COUGAR   (1967 - 1973)

MERCURY   CYCLONE   (1968 - 1971)

MERCURY   MONTCLAIR   (1959 - 1960)

MERCURY   MONTEGO   (1968 - 1971)

MERCURY   MONTEREY   (1959 - 1960)

SAAB   99   (1969 - 1978)

VOLVO   122   (1961 - 1968)

VOLVO   1800   (1961 - 1973)



and fronts fit



KYB Part # 343137 GR-2 / Excel-G

FORD   MUSTANG II   1974

FORD   PINTO   (1971 - 1980)

FORD   THUNDERBIRD   (1955 - 1957)

MERCURY   BOBCAT   (1975 - 1980)

VOLVO   122   (1961 - 1968)

VOLVO   1800   (1961 - 1973)

Please refer to catalog for application details.

57 Black Tbird 312/auto

I used early 90's blazer springs on my 57. Not quite as much of a drop as aerostar springs. Worked great, no problems with the stock shocks, sits and rides nice.

Here's a shot of my '55 bird with aerostar springs, and 1.5" drop Granada spindles from Drop-n-stop. Rear springs are stock.

Very satisfied with the ride & control. Front & rear 7/8" sway bars, KYB Gasadjust shocks.