Here I am with a second question in a row!

Does anyone have any guidelines or suggestions for re-arching the front leaf springs for a 36 Standard FC?

Also the rear leaf springs?

Is there a certain height, or arch one should strive for?

How would one go about re-arching them? My Dad used a press for his Model A springs and specs provided by Model A **** club folks.

I am putting in new front bushings, pins, and shackles, and thought it would be good to check the front springs while things are apart. The car as over 130,000 miles, so they might be getting a little weak.

Thanks again!

Most dudes that have their springs rearched have them done professionally since spring companies have the specifications for each individual spring leaf. Go here: http://www.eatonsprings.com/

Hey Junkyard Dog,
The quick reply and information is much appreciated!

But I will have to be doing this on the cheap, so won't be able to afford to send off to anybody. A member of our local AACA club re-arched the rear springs on his 51 Chevrolet by estimating the desired arch, peening each leaf with with a hammer to get a higher arch, and then eyeballing the results. He said got it too high the first time, but after trial and error got it to about the desired height and the car rides very well. As stated, my Dad used a hydraulic press to re-arch Model A springs (though admittly Henry's two-spring design makes matters simpler!). So if possible, I would like to try this, but rather than guessing at the desired height for the car, see if there are some pre-existing specifications for the arch or height of the car.

I would check with a spring company first to see how much it would cost to rearch your springs and do it the right way before you make your decision. It usually isn't that expensive. I think that someone posted here a few months ago that the cost to rearch his springs was very cheap. It can be done the way you describe but it is kinda sorta a "Mickey Mouse" trial and error method. Removing the spring assemblies from the car and taking them apart a zillion times until you get it right is not the way to go.....especially if a professional can do them fairly inexpensively and correctly the first time. Remember, the heart of the ride of the car is the suspension and if you get it wrong you will sure notice it, not only when the car is sitting, but when you are driving it as well. Doing it right the first time is always cheaper than doing the job wrong three or four times, and especially, if you end up breaking a spring leaf. Several dudes have been there and done that and it ain't fun.

Good luck with your project.

I have some NOS rear springs for 36 std. sedans. If that is any help.

Junkyard Dog,

You're right--doing it right is always preferred to the jury-rigged method! I'll check to see what the cost will be. But my wife and I are trying to save money for a house, and extra expenses are frowned upon. My father is letting me keep the car in his garage--and use his workshop. But someday soon want a garage (and maybe even a house ) of my own!

Also, I do have a couple of sets of extra springs from parts cars and rodders. So experimenting is possible without complete ruination. And who knows, I should probably check those springs more closely--maybe stronger than what is on the car and basically ready to use as is with some cleaning up.

Also, some folks (my Dad included with the A model)sprayed a graphite impregnated paint between the leaves before re-assembly. This stuff seems to work pretty well.

Chevy b: Can I contact you off the discussion board to discuss what you want for the NOS springs (mine is a Town Sedan)? If so, do you mind supplying your email? Even though I said extra expenses are frowned upon at the moment, I might be able to consider NOS springs since they would be brand new and none of the re-arching or repair stuff!

I should probably say that the car is already basically a good driver. But I'm wanted to improve the suspension so that complaints about the "bouncy" ride are not so frequent! Hence the re-built shock absorbers in a another post.

You can contact Chevy b directly by clicking on the second icon on top of his posting (it is the envelope with a man standing by it). Clicking on that will bring up Chevy b's email address.

Yep, new old stock springs are definitely the way to go if you can get them. Good luck!

Or for more (more than you need to know maybe........"BUT" still interesting never the less) that nifty icon that is to the left of the one described above. I'm nosey......I always click on that one, LOL.....!

If anyone is curious:

Just put the new bushings and pins for the front springs over Christmas break. I ended up replacing the front springs on the car with some off of a parts car--they looked to be in better condition.

On my car, someone in the past had taken the front springs apart--apparently to lubricate. After cleaning, it was found that the clips holding the leaves together (to keep them from sliding sideways) were cracked. So I went with the parts car springs and decided not to dismantle and re-arch/lubricate the springs. I didn't want to risk cracking these as well.

The arch on both sets of springs were exactly the same, so I'm assuming that they are still in pretty good shape. There is some slight beveling where the end of the springs dug into the spring above, but not too much.

Thanks again for the responses!