The Ford Barn

Fred A · 03-06-2018, 02:25 PM

Is the main leaf of a Roadster rear spring shorter than others? The seven leafs look like they may be shorter overall and talking to spring shops, that they may be shorter for roadster keeps coming up. Always used sedan springs to make them before. Thanks: Fred A

Ron in Quincy · 03-06-2018, 03:34 PM

Fred,

Ford quick making the 7 leaf Roadster spring; said to use a 8 leaf spring to make the 7 leaf; remember to use a short spacer spring on the bottom of the 7 leaf you make so the spring will bolt up tight in the rear cross member.

Ron

Mike Peters · 03-06-2018, 05:14 PM

Quote from judging standards:
A-5560-C - Seven leaf spring used on all Roadsters. It had a dummy leaf (spacer) on the bottom or underneath side of the spring making it eight leaves thick where it mounts to the cross member. Additionally, the number 4 leaf was made of thinner stock (.220"-.230".)

Nothing is mentioned about the main leaf being shorter than a main leaf for any other body style. Thickness differences, but not length differences.

Randy in ca · 03-06-2018, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fred A

Is the main leaf of a Roadster rear spring shorter than others? The seven leafs look like they may be shorter overall and talking to spring shops, that they may be shorter for roadster keeps coming up. Always used sedan springs to make them before. Thanks: Fred A

-
All main leafs are the same. Has been a couple of previous threads hashing this out.

Bob C · 03-07-2018, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randy in ca

-
All main leafs are the same. Has been a couple of previous threads hashing this out.

Actually the parts book shows two A-5563-A and 5563-B.

Bob

Randy in ca · 03-07-2018, 04:16 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob C

Actually the parts book shows two A-5563-A and 5563-B.

Bob

-
I guess I could have been more specific, but I was directly replying to Fred's question whether Roadster main leafs were shorter than others. In that regard I still maintain that they are not i.e. all should have the same relaxed width and shape.

MAG · 03-07-2018, 05:08 PM

www.abarnyard.com
This is Marco's site. A spring chart is there. It will give you all the correct information about Model A Springs for all body styles.

dave in australia · 03-07-2018, 05:12 PM

There is a spring leaf chart that was posted a while ago(years ago), that shows which leaves are used in which spring pack, and also their thicknesses. From memory, and I could be wrong, some individual leaves were the same length, but different thicknesses, depending on body type application.

d.j. moordigian · 03-07-2018, 05:19 PM

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...o+spring+chart

Randy in ca · 03-08-2018, 12:14 AM

A little further information in this regard for anyone interested. Although all rear spring main leafs are of the same eye to eye dimension when loose, once the spring is assembled the Roadster version is actually longer (eye to eye) than others. An old catalogue I have shows the assembled Roadster spring eye to eye dimension as being 40" to 40-3/16" while those for other models range from 37-7/8" to 39-11/16" eye to eye when assembled.

In an old thread Marco Tahtaras offered the following explanation:

"As Dave attempted to explain, they only look different AFTER assembly. Each leaf moving from bottom to top has a tighter curve. That means that every time you add/clamp another leaf above, more curvature is forced into the leaves below and the main leaf spring eyes become closer together. Since the Roadster spring has the least AND thinnest (weakest) leaves it has the flattest appearance when assembled".

03-06-2018, 02:25 PM	#1
Fred A Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Encino California, near Burbank Posts: 935	Seven Leaf Spring Is the main leaf of a Roadster rear spring shorter than others? The seven leafs look like they may be shorter overall and talking to spring shops, that they may be shorter for roadster keeps coming up. Always used sedan springs to make them before. Thanks: Fred A

03-06-2018, 03:34 PM	#2
Ron in Quincy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Quincy, CA. Posts: 1,708	Re: Seven Leaf Spring Fred, Ford quick making the 7 leaf Roadster spring; said to use a 8 leaf spring to make the 7 leaf; remember to use a short spacer spring on the bottom of the 7 leaf you make so the spring will bolt up tight in the rear cross member. Ron

03-06-2018, 05:14 PM	#3
Mike Peters Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: South East Wisconsin Posts: 1,279	Re: Seven Leaf Spring Quote from judging standards: A-5560-C - Seven leaf spring used on all Roadsters. It had a dummy leaf (spacer) on the bottom or underneath side of the spring making it eight leaves thick where it mounts to the cross member. Additionally, the number 4 leaf was made of thinner stock (.220"-.230".) Nothing is mentioned about the main leaf being shorter than a main leaf for any other body style. Thickness differences, but not length differences.

03-07-2018, 05:08 PM	#7
MAG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 925	Re: Seven Leaf Spring www.abarnyard.com This is Marco's site. A spring chart is there. It will give you all the correct information about Model A Springs for all body styles. __________________ I noticed the harder I work the luckier I get!

03-07-2018, 05:12 PM	#8
dave in australia Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Victoria, Australia Posts: 1,176	Re: Seven Leaf Spring There is a spring leaf chart that was posted a while ago(years ago), that shows which leaves are used in which spring pack, and also their thicknesses. From memory, and I could be wrong, some individual leaves were the same length, but different thicknesses, depending on body type application.

03-07-2018, 05:19 PM	#9
d.j. moordigian Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Fresno, Ca. Posts: 3,636	Re: Seven Leaf Spring https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...o+spring+chart

03-08-2018, 12:14 AM	#10
Randy in ca Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,643	Re: Seven Leaf Spring A little further information in this regard for anyone interested. Although all rear spring main leafs are of the same eye to eye dimension when loose, once the spring is assembled the Roadster version is actually longer (eye to eye) than others. An old catalogue I have shows the assembled Roadster spring eye to eye dimension as being 40" to 40-3/16" while those for other models range from 37-7/8" to 39-11/16" eye to eye when assembled. In an old thread Marco Tahtaras offered the following explanation: "As Dave attempted to explain, they only look different AFTER assembly. Each leaf moving from bottom to top has a tighter curve. That means that every time you add/clamp another leaf above, more curvature is forced into the leaves below and the main leaf spring eyes become closer together. Since the Roadster spring has the least AND thinnest (weakest) leaves it has the flattest appearance when assembled".