66 suspension
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sseebart
Steve Seebart
I have gas-charged shocks on my '64, but I've read many times that it's not a good idea to compensate for worn springs with air shocks or similar--too much of the load gets transferred to the shock towers, which could fail.
New springs are not terribly expensive, though it's a job putting them in.
~Steve
New springs are not terribly expensive, though it's a job putting them in.
~Steve
redbird1
Los Angeles Ca.
If it were me, I would NOT just replace the shocks.
If your springs are at the point where they no longer carry the load, you are risking a catastrophic failure if you are going to rely on the shocks to take the load.
Those of us who have replaced front shocks are well aware that most (if not all ) aftermarket shocks for these birds do not have the same shaft length as the stock shocks, and wind up cutting the shaft from the older shocks, and having it welded to the new shocks in order to get the cap and nuts to clear the stem so a nut can be threaded on.
I would never trust that weld to take the load of the car that has week springs.
I would strongly suggest that you re-consider your decision to substitute shocks for defective springs.
Bob.
If your springs are at the point where they no longer carry the load, you are risking a catastrophic failure if you are going to rely on the shocks to take the load.
Those of us who have replaced front shocks are well aware that most (if not all ) aftermarket shocks for these birds do not have the same shaft length as the stock shocks, and wind up cutting the shaft from the older shocks, and having it welded to the new shocks in order to get the cap and nuts to clear the stem so a nut can be threaded on.
I would never trust that weld to take the load of the car that has week springs.
I would strongly suggest that you re-consider your decision to substitute shocks for defective springs.
Bob.
66 Suspension
Redbird - thank you for the advice. I am a bit perplexed that I will most likely have to modify new shocks to make them fit. I will definitely consider replacing the springs also.
I followed the link on your response and looked at your bird - beautiful! I am especially interested in the gauge cluster - it looks like you made some changes that improved the original gauge cluster. I am interested in learning what you did there, if it is modified.
Redbird - thank you for the advice. I am a bit perplexed that I will most likely have to modify new shocks to make them fit. I will definitely consider replacing the springs also.
I followed the link on your response and looked at your bird - beautiful! I am especially interested in the gauge cluster - it looks like you made some changes that improved the original gauge cluster. I am interested in learning what you did there, if it is modified.
redbird1
Los Angeles Ca.
The gauge cluster is an aftermarket installation.
It was put in by the previous owner before I got the car.
It looks nice, but the gas gauge has never worked because the maker of the gauges (sun pro) says that the gauge will only work with their float for the tank, and I think the previous owner realized this after he installed the gauges, but never got around to changing out the float before I got the car.
I looked at the float they sell, and it just doesn't look like it would fit the tank correctly.
I have purchased the stock gauge set up, but have not gotten around to installing it.
Maybe this spring I will get around to replacing it.
Bob.
rzcrisis
Active member
I realize this discussion is on front shocks but what about the rears? I have seen direct replacements for these with Monroe shocks and hopefully these do not involve cutting and retrofitting to make them fit. Any words of advice and experience on these?
Thanks
Randy
Thanks
Randy
sseebart
Steve Seebart
Yes, I used Monroes--the part number listed in their catalog for 64 Birds. Mine fit perfectly, front and rear, no cutting or welding involved.
~Steve
My '66s ride left a lot to be desired when I bought it and it looked quite low slung. My initial assumption was saggy springs and I knew the shocks were shot. The tires the previous owner had on the car were 15" but smaller than stock and made for a lighter vehicle, that also affected the ride thanks to soft sidewalls.
After installing 17" wheels and new, lower profile tires with a much firmer sidewall, I put Gabriel Classic gas shocks in the back and Monroe Sensa-track gas shocks in the front of my '66, no reason for the two different brands except that's what was available at the time. I didn't have any trouble getting them to fit, no modifications required. That made a huge difference in the ride quality and handling. I also replaced all of the front bushings and the majority of front end components which further improved the handling and stability. For instance, the old dried out, shrunk, and crushed bushings were so bad that when I replaced the sway bar links and bushings I could actually feel a difference in how the car drove.
After all of this I measured and remeasured the ride height, compensating for the shorter lower profile tires I put on, and found that the springs were not sagging as I first thought, in fact the car was sitting within 1/2" of specs.
I never liked the way these cars look a bit high in the front and after taking 60lbs off the front end when I replaced the intake manifold with an aluminum Edelbrock it had a definite "nose up" attitude. I had one coil cut off the front springs and that dropped the front end close to 2" and made a huge difference in the stance/appearance. This spring I'll be replacing the rear spring bushings and I suspect that will improve handling even more and probably raise the ride height in the rear slightly.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that, considering the age and condition of all of these components, you need to factor in all the rest of your suspension when making changes/improvements. Your springs may not be an issue at all and one change may not get you the results you expect, it's a package deal.
After installing 17" wheels and new, lower profile tires with a much firmer sidewall, I put Gabriel Classic gas shocks in the back and Monroe Sensa-track gas shocks in the front of my '66, no reason for the two different brands except that's what was available at the time. I didn't have any trouble getting them to fit, no modifications required. That made a huge difference in the ride quality and handling. I also replaced all of the front bushings and the majority of front end components which further improved the handling and stability. For instance, the old dried out, shrunk, and crushed bushings were so bad that when I replaced the sway bar links and bushings I could actually feel a difference in how the car drove.
After all of this I measured and remeasured the ride height, compensating for the shorter lower profile tires I put on, and found that the springs were not sagging as I first thought, in fact the car was sitting within 1/2" of specs.
I never liked the way these cars look a bit high in the front and after taking 60lbs off the front end when I replaced the intake manifold with an aluminum Edelbrock it had a definite "nose up" attitude. I had one coil cut off the front springs and that dropped the front end close to 2" and made a huge difference in the stance/appearance. This spring I'll be replacing the rear spring bushings and I suspect that will improve handling even more and probably raise the ride height in the rear slightly.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that, considering the age and condition of all of these components, you need to factor in all the rest of your suspension when making changes/improvements. Your springs may not be an issue at all and one change may not get you the results you expect, it's a package deal.
waltreiss
Active member
I did a fairly complete suspension re-work on my '64. I changed the leaf springs in the back, replaced all the bushings, and installed the beefier anti-sway bar in the front. I did not replace or modify the front springs. I installed the Bilstein shocks, from Thunderbird Headquarters, on the front and rear. No modifications required and they work just fine.
I share WC145's opinion of the nose-high stance with the aluminum engine parts installed. Although I dread the thought of compressing those coil springs again, I would consider having one turn cut from the springs to drop it a little. Maybe even buy a new spring set and cut them to keep the stock springs as-is...I dunno.
I share WC145's opinion of the nose-high stance with the aluminum engine parts installed. Although I dread the thought of compressing those coil springs again, I would consider having one turn cut from the springs to drop it a little. Maybe even buy a new spring set and cut them to keep the stock springs as-is...I dunno.
Nitrous Bob
Active member
- Joined
- Dec 15, 2014
- Messages
- 40
I just rebuilt the entire '66 bird from front to back. This car came with the load leveler shocks. I believe Monroe. The shocks are made to replace the spring. This car sagged also. I replaced the springs on the shocks with 100#, 2 inch coilover springs from PAC Racing. The ones I took off were probably 40#-60# Leveled it right out. Might go heavier if hauling a trunk load.