1940 fordor suspension leaf springs

[Wayne]

Hi Ladies and Gentlemen, I am starting a frame-up restoration and noticed the front spring assembly has 11 leaves, but the rear assembly has only 9 leaves. I assume this may be due to more weight at the front of the car. Is this normal, or were two leaves probably broken and subsequently removed? Thanks very much, Wayne

[Kurt in NJ]

It depends on the body style, light cars like roadsters got less leaves that say a heavy station wagon ---you need a parts book ---at least list what body you have so you can get proper information --in some years the delux cars got covered springs, standard uncovered also -----but when the cars were "just old cars" any spring would work

[Wayne]

Thanks for the prompt reply, Kurt. This car is a fordor (a four-door), but I'm unsure if it's a standard or deluxe model. Can I determine that from the serial number? Also, can you suggest a good place to obtain a parts manual? Thanks, Wayne

[Kube]

Originally Posted by Kurt in NJ

It depends on the body style, light cars like roadsters got less leaves that say a heavy station wagon ---you need a parts book ---at least list what body you have so you can get proper information --in some years the delux cars got covered springs, standard uncovered also -----but when the cars were "just old cars" any spring would work

Kurt, Typically, open cars weigh more than closed cars. 1940 Fords (that) was certainly true. A '40 convertible was over 100# heavier than a '40 coupe.
You are correct however, that the amount of leaves was dependent / respective of model.

[Kube]

Originally Posted by Wayne

Hi Ladies and Gentlemen, I am starting a frame-up restoration and noticed the front spring assembly has 11 leaves, but the rear assembly has only 9 leaves. I assume this may be due to more weight at the front of the car. Is this normal, or were two leaves probably broken and subsequently removed? Thanks very much, Wayne

Wayne, Your Fordor was originally built with a ten leaf spring on the front. The only exception to that "rule" is if it is a 60hp car. In that case, an eleven leaf spring was optional on the front.
It was nearly always built with a ten leaf spring on the rear. On rare occasion a '40 was built with a heavier rear spring having eleven leaves.

[Kurt in NJ]

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Originally Posted by Kube

Kurt, Typically, open cars weigh more than closed cars. 1940 Fords (that) was certainly true. A '40 convertible was over 100# heavier than a '40 coupe.
You are correct however, that the amount of leaves was dependent / respective of model.

I was looking in a 28-37 partsbook published in 45, it was listing "01A" springs to replace 48,68,78 # springs, 9 leaf was listed for use in roadster---having a conv sedan i know roll up window conv are heavy

The "green book" will have better listings and will give numbers for the spring you need

[Charlie Stephens]

Originally Posted by Wayne

Thanks for the prompt reply, Kurt. This car is a fordor (a four-door), but I'm unsure if it's a standard or deluxe model. Can I determine that from the serial number? Also, can you suggest a good place to obtain a parts manual? Thanks, Wayne

Wayne,

There is nothing you can determine from the serial number. All engines were made at the Rouge Plant. After they passed final inspection they were shipped all around the United States and to some foreign assembly plants that did not make their own engines (some did). The standard had vertical grill bars like the '39 deluxe and the deluxe had horizontal bars. Go to http://www.socalefv8.org and look under "Cars of the Early Ford V8 Years" for pictures of the '39 deluxe grill (which became the '40 standard) and the '40 deluxe. You can find a lot of other differences in the restoration guidelines from the Early Ford V8 Club (earlyfordv8.org) and I suggest you invest in a copy.

Charlie Stephens