The Ford Barn

Kaonix · 12-03-2012, 12:56 PM

I was wondering if anyone knows anyone locally in my area (Phoenix, A.Z. area) that might have a spring spreader or access to one? I don't have the resources now to make one nor do I have the cash to purchase one at the moment with xmas and all coming up, things have gotten a bit tight. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Vic Piano · 12-03-2012, 01:06 PM

You might be able to rent a Porta-Power (not sure if that is correct spelling) tool and use it.

Kaonix · 12-03-2012, 01:10 PM

I have NO clue how to use that! Vic I'm glad you responded actually, I have a question for you. I was browsing your thread "What I did on my lunch hour", and I saw a pic of a black 41 coupe and was wondering if you knew what size wheel and tire were on that car or if you had a way to find out?

Kaonix · 12-03-2012, 01:13 PM

Heres a larger pic of my 41 fyi

Vic Piano · 12-03-2012, 01:24 PM

I used a Porta-Power as a spring spreader on our '47 Convertible, it's not hard to do but you should have two people for safety. The '41 Coupe belongs to my friend Mike; he is running stock 600x16's on stock rims. He is also looking for a good center grille section, if you happen to know of one. I love the tu-tone on your ‘41; it's only the second one I've seen. Years ago, there was a '41 Convertible at an Eastern EFV8 meet that was tu-tone green & gray. Vic

Kaonix · 12-03-2012, 01:33 PM

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Is there a tutorial anywhere online to show me how to use it? If I walk into my local rental yard and ask for a "porta-power" will they know what I'm talking about? Thank you so much for the help and the info on the wheel/tire combo. I'm kinda going for the same look as the black one in ur photo.

Vic Piano · 12-03-2012, 01:46 PM

I'm sure, if you go into a tool rental shop, they will know what a Porta-Power is and be able to give you some instruction on how to use one. Tell them what you want to use it for; they may even have spring spreaders for rent. What size wheel & tire combo are you running on your car? Mike installed a dropped axle in front and extended shackles on the rear to lower his '41.

JM 35 Sedan · 12-03-2012, 01:46 PM

Check with some members of the Early Ford V8 Club of America regional groups in your area. RG37 is in the Phoenix area. If you have or can get access to a membership roster you could contact some of these folks about borrowing a spring spreader. I just looked at my roster and there are two or three pages of members listed in Arizona. Joining the national club may also be beneficial for you.

Kaonix · 12-03-2012, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vic Piano

I'm sure, if you go into a tool rental shop, they will know what a Porta-Power is and be able to give you some instruction on how to use one. Tell them what you want to use it for; they may even have spring spreaders for rent. What size wheel & tire combo are you running on your car? Mike installed a dropped axle in front and extended shackles on the rear to lower his '41.

I'm running stock wheels and tires and completely stock suspension so far. I have new springs but can't install them due to not having a spreader lol.

Vic Piano · 12-03-2012, 02:12 PM

Are the new ones stock or reversed eye springs? If they are reversed eye you can’t use a spring spreader to install them, just to get the old springs out. If you are going to install reversed eye springs let me know and I'll tell you how we did it on our '47 Convertible. JM had a good idea about locating some EFV8 Club members in your area as someone might have a spring spreader and I sure the guys would lend a hand if you needed it.

Kaonix · 12-03-2012, 02:34 PM

The new springs are stock, I had one of our truck spring vendors make them for me. Ill give the efv8 route a try. Thanks again for all the info, u guys are great. Love this forum.

G.M. · 12-03-2012, 03:24 PM

If you find a Porta Power you want chisel ends that secure them selves in the eye parts so it don't jump loose. I have changed springs with jacks but that can be dangerous. G.M

junk yard kid · 12-03-2012, 03:32 PM

I take my springs apart to take off and put on. Gotta jack it up high though.

Fibber Mcgee · 12-03-2012, 03:54 PM

Maybe I did it "wrong" but I just replaced my spring and I bolted it to the frame and then used a jack to jack up the spring (under the eye) until it lined up with the shackle. I just started with one side and then did the other. It wasn't to hard to make it go together. It might be the dangerous way to do it so be careful.

Old Henry · 12-03-2012, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fibber Mcgee

Maybe I did it "wrong" but I just replaced my spring and I bolted it to the frame and then used a jack to jack up the spring (under the eye) until it lined up with the shackle. I just started with one side and then did the other. It wasn't to hard to make it go together. It might be the dangerous way to do it so be careful.

That's how I've always done it and just did. From a recent thread on this subject:

Don't know what a spring spreader is, how much it costs, where to get one, or what it would do that a simple bottle jack didn't do for me. Here's how I just disconnected my spring without incident. (Reverse of procedure will be used to reconnect.)

I left the axle hanging on the shock absorber and lifted the end of the spring with a bottle jack just enough to take the pressure off of the shackle bolts. Nuts can be removed before or after placing the bottle jack.

Then removed the shackle from one side.

Then the other side. (Spring end did not budge a bit - held by the bottle jack.)

Lowered the bottle jack and the spring slowly reached it's limit of where it wanted to bend to. No "boing" or nothin'.

Kaonix · 12-03-2012, 05:01 PM

Hey can I get ur guys' opinion on this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/32-48-Ford-M...-/150786515709

Charlie Stephens · 12-03-2012, 05:13 PM

If you are not in a local club you might ask if they would consider renting one to you.

Charlie Stephens

Kaonix · 12-03-2012, 06:40 PM

Old Henry, thank you so much for the visuals. Although I don't think I'll try it that way, it gives me a good idea of what I need to do. I think im just gonna wait and buy this spreader, that way if I need it in the future, which I undoubtedly will, I'll have it and I don't need to worry about hurting anything because I'm doing it right! I was just hoping I could find someone local to save me some money and perhaps gimme some tips but with all the replies, I think I can handle it! Thanks again you guys. Great input!

joel · 12-03-2012, 07:28 PM

I know you weren't looking to build one, but here is one I made for about $30. The only welding is the "feet" on the ends and the rest is scedule 40 pipe and all thread and nuts from the hardware store.

Kube · 12-03-2012, 09:40 PM

Many folks don't understand and / or respect the force that is contained within a bound spring. Having the correct tool is paramount for this project.
Yes, lots of guys have done it "backyard mechanic" style and yes, it worked for them. Do you really want to be the guy it didn't work for?

12-03-2012, 12:56 PM	#1
Kaonix Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Goodyear A.Z. (Phoenix Suburb) Posts: 61	Spring Spreader I was wondering if anyone knows anyone locally in my area (Phoenix, A.Z. area) that might have a spring spreader or access to one? I don't have the resources now to make one nor do I have the cash to purchase one at the moment with xmas and all coming up, things have gotten a bit tight. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

12-03-2012, 01:06 PM	#2
Vic Piano Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Odessa, FL Posts: 7,611	Re: Spring Spreader You might be able to rent a Porta-Power (not sure if that is correct spelling) tool and use it. __________________ Imagination is more important than knowledge.

12-03-2012, 01:10 PM	#3
Kaonix Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Goodyear A.Z. (Phoenix Suburb) Posts: 61	Re: Spring Spreader I have NO clue how to use that! Vic I'm glad you responded actually, I have a question for you. I was browsing your thread "What I did on my lunch hour", and I saw a pic of a black 41 coupe and was wondering if you knew what size wheel and tire were on that car or if you had a way to find out?

12-03-2012, 01:24 PM	#5
Vic Piano Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Odessa, FL Posts: 7,611	Re: Spring Spreader I used a Porta-Power as a spring spreader on our '47 Convertible, it's not hard to do but you should have two people for safety. The '41 Coupe belongs to my friend Mike; he is running stock 600x16's on stock rims. He is also looking for a good center grille section, if you happen to know of one. I love the tu-tone on your ‘41; it's only the second one I've seen. Years ago, there was a '41 Convertible at an Eastern EFV8 meet that was tu-tone green & gray. Vic __________________ Imagination is more important than knowledge.

12-03-2012, 01:33 PM	#6
Kaonix Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Goodyear A.Z. (Phoenix Suburb) Posts: 61	Re: Spring Spreader Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Is there a tutorial anywhere online to show me how to use it? If I walk into my local rental yard and ask for a "porta-power" will they know what I'm talking about? Thank you so much for the help and the info on the wheel/tire combo. I'm kinda going for the same look as the black one in ur photo.

12-03-2012, 01:46 PM	#7
Vic Piano Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Odessa, FL Posts: 7,611	Re: Spring Spreader I'm sure, if you go into a tool rental shop, they will know what a Porta-Power is and be able to give you some instruction on how to use one. Tell them what you want to use it for; they may even have spring spreaders for rent. What size wheel & tire combo are you running on your car? Mike installed a dropped axle in front and extended shackles on the rear to lower his '41. __________________ Imagination is more important than knowledge.

12-03-2012, 01:46 PM	#8
JM 35 Sedan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Near Rising Sun, Maryland Posts: 10,876	Re: Spring Spreader Check with some members of the Early Ford V8 Club of America regional groups in your area. RG37 is in the Phoenix area. If you have or can get access to a membership roster you could contact some of these folks about borrowing a spring spreader. I just looked at my roster and there are two or three pages of members listed in Arizona. Joining the national club may also be beneficial for you. __________________ *John* *"Never give up on what you really want to do. The person with big dreams is more powerful than one with all the facts". Albert Einstein*

12-03-2012, 02:12 PM	#10
Vic Piano Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Odessa, FL Posts: 7,611	Re: Spring Spreader Are the new ones stock or reversed eye springs? If they are reversed eye you can’t use a spring spreader to install them, just to get the old springs out. If you are going to install reversed eye springs let me know and I'll tell you how we did it on our '47 Convertible. JM had a good idea about locating some EFV8 Club members in your area as someone might have a spring spreader and I sure the guys would lend a hand if you needed it. __________________ Imagination is more important than knowledge.

12-03-2012, 02:34 PM	#11
Kaonix Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Goodyear A.Z. (Phoenix Suburb) Posts: 61	Re: Spring Spreader The new springs are stock, I had one of our truck spring vendors make them for me. Ill give the efv8 route a try. Thanks again for all the info, u guys are great. Love this forum.

12-03-2012, 03:24 PM	#12
G.M. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Florida and Penna. Posts: 4,471	Re: Spring Spreader If you find a Porta Power you want chisel ends that secure them selves in the eye parts so it don't jump loose. I have changed springs with jacks but that can be dangerous. G.M __________________ www.fordcollector.com

12-03-2012, 03:32 PM	#13
junk yard kid Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: san diego Posts: 114	Re: Spring Spreader I take my springs apart to take off and put on. Gotta jack it up high though.

12-03-2012, 03:54 PM	#14
Fibber Mcgee Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Callahan Fla Posts: 1,149	Re: Spring Spreader Maybe I did it "wrong" but I just replaced my spring and I bolted it to the frame and then used a jack to jack up the spring (under the eye) until it lined up with the shackle. I just started with one side and then did the other. It wasn't to hard to make it go together. It might be the dangerous way to do it so be careful. __________________ Wanted, a car with a " Dynaflex Superflowing Unijet Turbovasculator which is Syncromeshed to the Multicoil Hydrotensioned Dual vacuum Dynomometer. "

12-03-2012, 05:01 PM	#16
Kaonix Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Goodyear A.Z. (Phoenix Suburb) Posts: 61	Re: Spring Spreader Hey can I get ur guys' opinion on this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/32-48-Ford-M...-/150786515709

12-03-2012, 05:13 PM	#17
Charlie Stephens Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern California Posts: 7,305	Re: Spring Spreader If you are not in a local club you might ask if they would consider renting one to you. Charlie Stephens

12-03-2012, 06:40 PM	#18
Kaonix Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Goodyear A.Z. (Phoenix Suburb) Posts: 61	Re: Spring Spreader Old Henry, thank you so much for the visuals. Although I don't think I'll try it that way, it gives me a good idea of what I need to do. I think im just gonna wait and buy this spreader, that way if I need it in the future, which I undoubtedly will, I'll have it and I don't need to worry about hurting anything because I'm doing it right! I was just hoping I could find someone local to save me some money and perhaps gimme some tips but with all the replies, I think I can handle it! Thanks again you guys. Great input!

12-03-2012, 09:40 PM	#20
Kube Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 9,852	Re: Spring Spreader Many folks don't understand and / or respect the force that is contained within a bound spring. Having the correct tool is paramount for this project. Yes, lots of guys have done it "backyard mechanic" style and yes, it worked for them. Do you really want to be the guy it didn't work for? __________________ "I can explain it for you. However, I can't understand it for you".