solid front leaf spring bushings

Unusual and Unique Performance Mods
64merc
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Joined: Sun Mar 31, 2013 12:27 pm

solid front leaf spring bushings

Post by 64merc »

I have factory rubber bushings in my car now but would like some solid bushings. I can make them if I had the front spring eye dimensions or buy some if there available. Right now I'm getting 1.40-1.44 sixty foot times with stock springs and homemade caltrack bars and some old dirt tracker shocks. I would really like to get in the mid 1.30s in the sixty. I should have measured for them a while back when I had it apart but I didn't. If anyone may know it would be a big help, thanks.

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383MERC
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Location: Center Valley, PA

Re: solid front leaf spring bushings

Post by 383MERC »

Those are some pretty good 60 ft times. What ET are you running? Mark
1963 Comet S-22 Drag Car
1964 Fairlane 2 door sedan T-Bolt Clone
2007 Shelby GT
1989 LX 5.0 Convertible

64merc
Posts: 71
Joined: Sun Mar 31, 2013 12:27 pm

Re: solid front leaf spring bushings

Post by 64merc »

It usually runs 6.59-6.62 in the 8th mile @107 and 8.53 @ 117 in the 1000'. My local track is only 1000' and not a quarter mile. My combination ain't real great but it's just what I have right now.

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383MERC
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Location: Center Valley, PA

Re: solid front leaf spring bushings

Post by 383MERC »

As long as your having fun. That's the important part. I put the entire Caltrac setup under the rear and his shocks on the front my 63 racecar and picked up a fair amount. I'm 60 footing real low 1.40's on a 26"x8 1/2" tire going 10.50's - 10.60's. Not too bad for the old girl. Mark
1963 Comet S-22 Drag Car
1964 Fairlane 2 door sedan T-Bolt Clone
2007 Shelby GT
1989 LX 5.0 Convertible

64merc
Posts: 71
Joined: Sun Mar 31, 2013 12:27 pm

Re: solid front leaf spring bushings

Post by 64merc »

Yep having a lot of fun right now, and your 63 runs real good by the way. I just want to change a few more things that I know would help. After I get some solid front spring bushings I will get me a set of afco da shocks on the rear. I don't think the shocks I have now aren't stiff enough on the extension.

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poboyjo65
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Re: solid front leaf spring bushings

Post by poboyjo65 »

I have a 65 rearend with the leafs still on it. I dont know for sure if they are the same. if so what measurments do you need ? eye i.d. & width?? btw, your car looks great!
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Johno

64merc
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Re: solid front leaf spring bushings

Post by 64merc »

^^^^^ Yes the front eye id and the width. I believe the springs are the same and thanks that a huge help.

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poboyjo65
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Re: solid front leaf spring bushings

Post by poboyjo65 »

the eye has a metal bushing around the rubber. I cant tell if it comes out or not. I tried a c clamp but couldnt get anything to budge. then it started raining. I cut back the rubber to get a dial caliper inside the metal bushing.

Image

the id of the metal part is 1.918 but I think it may come out with the rubber, not sure. maybe someone who has changed bushings can let us know. the eye width is 2.525 & the metal sleeve in the center is 3.080.
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Johno

64merc
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Re: solid front leaf spring bushings

Post by 64merc »

Thanks for your time and help I really do appreciate it. Maybe the id is an even 2" if you take out for the metal cassing around the rubber? If so I can make me a couple of these this week and maybe even get them in before our Saturday night race. Thanks again.

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383MERC
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Re: solid front leaf spring bushings

Post by 383MERC »

You might want to call Calvert for those aluminum bushings. They use them in their mono leafs. Not sure what all sizes they have. Mark
1963 Comet S-22 Drag Car
1964 Fairlane 2 door sedan T-Bolt Clone
2007 Shelby GT
1989 LX 5.0 Convertible

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poboyjo65
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Re: solid front leaf spring bushings

Post by poboyjo65 »

I held the calipers up to it. I'd guess 2.100 '' . its bigger than 2''. the metal was around .070 thick but rusty .
I saw these which looks like the sleeve around it. so it probably does come out
http://macsautoparts.com/ford-falcon-me ... HL1121986/
Good luck at the track!
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Johno

64merc
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Re: solid front leaf spring bushings

Post by 64merc »

Calling Calverts would be a good idea to see if I could get a set from them. I would like to have them before this weekend but if I don't though I ain't no big deal. I'll figure something out, thanks again.

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poboyjo65
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Re: solid front leaf spring bushings

Post by poboyjo65 »

I used an air chisel to beat the sleeve in enuff to get a caliper on it. I got 2.075, you might want it a smidge bigger so it'll be tight. if it was me, I'd make em 2.080 from aluminum. then use a c clamp to press em in. the mount bolts were 1/2 inch. tell us how you do at the track!
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Johno

64merc
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Re: solid front leaf spring bushings

Post by 64merc »

Thank you again. We have an outage at work tomorrow so I don't think I'll get them made this week but next week for sure. I just got a new set of the Mickey Thompson ET street radial pro tires and would like a before and after comparison anyways. I just want to see if a solid bushings are worth anything over rubber and how much. I'll for sure post how it goes this weekend good or bad.

64merc
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Re: solid front leaf spring bushings

Post by 64merc »

I haven't posted here in a couple weeks, but I went to the track last weekend with the new drag radials and ran .03 off my best time ever. I believe they'll be just as good as a slick tire ant day of the week. I believe I would have made my runs to date but I developed a trans leak and called it a night. The weather should be great this weekend so I hope I'll get a new personal best.

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