1936 Springs and Manuals

[Stretch Cab]

Making progress on the frontend of my Fordor. We have the frontend all apart and I'm cleaning parts and painting.

I see that the front spring leaf's have a groove for grease along with a grease fitting for keeping them lubed. In the parts catalogs I do not see any spring liners for the 36. It is obvious there weren't any in the springs when they came apart. So, my question is: 1. Did the springs come with liners originally? 2. Should I try to install liners between the leaf's or just rely on the grease to keep them from squeaking? 3. I will be painting the leaf's individually before reinstalling them.

Also, what manuals could you suggest for working on the frontend/chassis and other parts of the 36?

Thanks,
John

[JSeery]

Regular grease (chassis lube) will not work correctly for spring lubrication. Ford used a special spring lubricate that was sold at one time. IMO the best lube to use is SlipPlate. It is available in several different size containers.

[Kube]

I second Jseery's advice. He is spot on!
I would add that as long as you have the spring out, I would source a NOS spring. Even after you smooth out the worn spots on the separate leaf's and lubricate them, they will never perform as they were designed to do. Also, they won't restore the proper engineered ride height and handling.
I am opposed to simply re-arcing the spring. That is in my opinion the "poor man's" method of so called "restoration".
NOS springs are out there - you just need to look.

Liners were never installed on a '36 spring. And, I see no reason to install them now. A properly restored spring (read NOS) doesn't require any type of liner although a poorly restored and tired spring may find them beneficial.

[marko39]

Years ago I bought spring liners for my 39. The added thickness made it impossible to reassemble them. They were 12 leafs on that spring.

[Brian]

Years ago, after reading an article in a Hot Rod magazine, i installed teflon strips between each leaf in my ford's springs. VERY soft ride, too much side sway; I removed the stuff....you actually want the friction metal to metal between each leaf in order for the spring to work as it should.

[Stretch Cab]

Thanks for the replies and information. I've owned this car for about 50 years and it is finally getting the restoration it deserves. It will be slow as I don't have the time or money but it will get done.

Does anyone know of a good how to video or book on rebuilding the frontend? I have a mechanic friend who helps me but I would like to know more about the process.