The Ford Barn

firerod · 01-02-2014, 11:05 AM

I have a couple of questions about reverse eye main leafs. I have a stock '32 chassis and would like to lower it. If I reverse both the front and rear springs how much lower will the car sit? If I reverse the springs myself do I need to have them heat treated or anything else? Any other suggestions? Thanks in advance for the advice.

32phil · 01-02-2014, 11:35 AM

New lowered springs ( fr & rr)from Posies will ( eventually, once they "settle") lower the car about 2.5".

deuce_roadster · 01-02-2014, 12:02 PM

If you use the stock springs, take them to a spring shop to do it. Don't try to do it yourself. Unless you are a metallurgist and have all the necessary equipment to control the temperatures precisely, you would fail. There is more to it then heating the metal up and quenching it in oil.

Mart · 01-02-2014, 12:37 PM

It's normally done cold. You first flatten the main leaf and then re-arch it the opposite way, then when inverted and reassembled the eyes are reversed. No heat required.

Mart.

Fordors · 01-02-2014, 12:41 PM

Some will use a large hammer and anvil and strike the main leaf repeatedly to reverse it's arch. While you can mark a chalk line of the m/l arch on the shop floor and duplicate that what is often overlooked is that the center to center of the spring eyes will increase. If there is enough of a change your shackles go toward vertical from the recommended angle and you lose ride quality. Main leaves with the reversed eye are available, look to Speedway Motors or Pete & Jake's for measurement tips to get a correct main leaf.

flatjack9 · 01-02-2014, 01:24 PM

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Take it to a sheet metal shop that has a large set of rollers. They can reverse it for you.

deuce_roadster · 01-02-2014, 01:38 PM

I would love to see a video of someone straightening out the spring eye of a cold main leaf with a hammer! Ha ha.
There used to be a spring shop in Seattle near where I lived before I retired, and I watched them do this operation (reverse spring eyes) and it certainly didn't involve a hammer and anvil.

Fordors · 01-02-2014, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deuce_roadster

I would love to see a video of someone straightening out the spring eye of a cold main leaf with a hammer! Ha ha.

No video, but it's been done for decades. Hammer time? Lots of labor. Spring shop? $$. New main leaf? Maybe $40.
DIY and spring shop will make the c-c dimension greater. Ever see a hot rod with the shackles approaching vertical? I have and I bet they ride like a cement truck.

rich b · 01-02-2014, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deuce_roadster

I would love to see a video of someone straightening out the spring eye of a cold main leaf with a hammer! Ha ha.

Reversed several main leafs with a sledge; but it was in the dark ages before video.

Hydraulic press makes it a lot easier now.

Andy · 01-02-2014, 03:33 PM

Get a new main leaf made at a local shop. The eyes move out a bit when reversed and this lets the shackles droop more. There is very little clearance on a Deuce anyway so having the spring essentially longer does not help. Have them make the eyes 3/4 instead of 7/8 so you can have a bigger choice of shackles.

Barn Junk · 01-02-2014, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deuce_roadster

I would love to see a video of someone straightening out the spring eye of a cold main leaf with a hammer! Ha ha.
There used to be a spring shop in Seattle near where I lived before I retired, and I watched them do this operation (reverse spring eyes) and it certainly didn't involve a hammer and anvil.

I think you missing the technique. The arch of the main leaf is reversed by striking (or pressing) the spring in a fulcrum along it's length. Then the spring is re-assembled with the bottom leaf being flipped upside down. The next leaf in the sequence usually will have to be shortened on each end so it fits between the springs eyes that are now on the top. With this process you only get about 1 1/2 inch max lowering unless you remove some leaves. Did my first one from an article in a car mag in about 1960. Cheap, worked great and the stinging in my hands only lasted about half a day.

firerod · 01-02-2014, 04:33 PM

If I reverse the leaf cold do I need to do anything else to it? is there anyplace that sells just the rear main leaf?

Fe26 · 01-02-2014, 08:52 PM

No further treatment is required if you work the spring cold. However I would recommend you buy a new main leaf and reverse that or, have what you want made. These leaves are getting pretty old now and arn't as reliable as they were when new. Considering this is the most important leaf in the stack I wouldn't take the chance.

My technique is to lay the spring on a flat surface and draw a line around it. Then flatten the spring, you can use a press, a vise or a heavy hammer. Then starting at the centre hole mark lines across the spring every 2" Now you will need a Bending Plate or the opened jaws of a vise with soft rounded jaws set about 5-6". A Bending Plate is simply two round bars say about 1. 1/4-2" welded to a steel plate about 5-6" apart and they must be parallel.
It helps if you attach guides to the plate to keep it square to the bars.

Beginning at the center, position the hole over one of the bars, now strike (one big heavy blow) on the line nearest to the middle spot between the bars of the bending plate. After you settle down from the surprise of the spring bouncing off the plate, nearly missing your face and hurting your hand, you will decide to keep your head away, and to wear a welders glove. Or you will call a mate with a Press.

Move the spring along until the next line is over the plates centre and repeat the blow. This is the time you'll now count all the lines and think Geez-I've gotta beat this spring that many times? Maybe I could buy a small press...Would a bigger hammer help? The answer is yes and yes.

Repeat this process until you have hit all the lines. Now do the other side starting with the hole over one of the round bars. Keep repeating this process until the spring has a definate curve, but not yet even close to the line on the floor. You will also have a flat area near the hole. This area is a little tricky, if you hit the hole the metal each side will bend easily as there is'nt much resistance, so don't hit the hole. Take the next spring from the stack and hold it centered against the main leaf, you now have to match your flat centre section to the curve of the second leaf. When you bend this area go easy, you will notice the ends of the spring move down quite a bit when you work the center.

Now check the spring against the line, adjust the spring as necessary, always hit on the lines and always keep the spring square to the bars. If you have gone too far you can put the spring into a vice and bend it back a little.

The hammer head you use should be close in size to the width of the spring and have rounded edges so as not to mark the spring. Finish by sanding or wire brush and a coat of paint.

APDAVE · 01-03-2014, 02:52 PM

I used a piece of 6" h beam on its side to beat again and yes it does bounce around plenty, and don't forget your ear plugs! Dave

alchemy · 01-03-2014, 04:55 PM

You guys who say "get a new one at your local spring shop", have you actually done this? Have they been able to make the arced rear leaf for you?

Last I checked Posies, or any other place, will not sell just a main leaf.

Mart · 01-03-2014, 05:30 PM

Do people sell a reversed rear leaf? This spring has the curve in it (32-34 style) when viewed from above. The rear spring on my model A on 32 rails was done the old fashioned way years ago, and has worked well enough for me.

Mart.

Fe26 · 01-03-2014, 06:10 PM

Any old fashioned Spring Maker should be able to make whatever you want. Failing that a General Blacksmith can also do this work. Also look for guys who advertise they reset springs.

Andy · 01-03-2014, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alchemy

You guys who say "get a new one at your local spring shop", have you actually done this? Have they been able to make the arced rear leaf for you?

Last I checked Posies, or any other place, will not sell just a main leaf.

I made a tracing of the curve and the placement of the eyes. Had one made at a spring shop in San Antonio. It was about $70 bucks

don35 · 01-03-2014, 09:50 PM

Zenith Spring made a reversed eye main leaf for my 35. They are in Duluth Mn. I think they charged about $35 two years ago. Great people to deal with.

34Phae · 01-03-2014, 10:33 PM

Most of the street rod part suppliers sell a reversed eye main leaf. Pete & Jakes has one listed in there cat.

01-02-2014, 11:05 AM	#1
firerod Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lakewood, CO Posts: 413	'32 Roadster reverse eye springs I have a couple of questions about reverse eye main leafs. I have a stock '32 chassis and would like to lower it. If I reverse both the front and rear springs how much lower will the car sit? If I reverse the springs myself do I need to have them heat treated or anything else? Any other suggestions? Thanks in advance for the advice.

01-02-2014, 11:35 AM	#2
32phil Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Montgomery, NY & Port St. Lucie Florida Posts: 936	Re: '32 Roadster reverse eye springs New lowered springs ( fr & rr)from Posies will ( eventually, once they "settle") lower the car about 2.5". __________________ Early Ford Lock & Key Service https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=46583

01-02-2014, 12:02 PM	#3
deuce_roadster Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Shelton, WA Posts: 3,800	Re: '32 Roadster reverse eye springs If you use the stock springs, take them to a spring shop to do it. Don't try to do it yourself. Unless you are a metallurgist and have all the necessary equipment to control the temperatures precisely, you would fail. There is more to it then heating the metal up and quenching it in oil.

01-02-2014, 12:37 PM	#4
Mart Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Solihull, England. Posts: 8,749	Re: '32 Roadster reverse eye springs It's normally done cold. You first flatten the main leaf and then re-arch it the opposite way, then when inverted and reassembled the eyes are reversed. No heat required. Mart.

01-02-2014, 12:41 PM	#5
Fordors Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Orland Park,IL Posts: 1,402	Re: '32 Roadster reverse eye springs Some will use a large hammer and anvil and strike the main leaf repeatedly to reverse it's arch. While you can mark a chalk line of the m/l arch on the shop floor and duplicate that what is often overlooked is that the center to center of the spring eyes will increase. If there is enough of a change your shackles go toward vertical from the recommended angle and you lose ride quality. Main leaves with the reversed eye are available, look to Speedway Motors or Pete & Jake's for measurement tips to get a correct main leaf.

01-02-2014, 01:24 PM	#6
flatjack9 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oshkosh, Wi Posts: 4,526	Re: '32 Roadster reverse eye springs Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Take it to a sheet metal shop that has a large set of rollers. They can reverse it for you.

01-02-2014, 01:38 PM	#7
deuce_roadster Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Shelton, WA Posts: 3,800	Re: '32 Roadster reverse eye springs I would love to see a video of someone straightening out the spring eye of a cold main leaf with a hammer! Ha ha. There used to be a spring shop in Seattle near where I lived before I retired, and I watched them do this operation (reverse spring eyes) and it certainly didn't involve a hammer and anvil.

01-02-2014, 03:33 PM	#10
Andy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Kerrville, Tx Posts: 2,769	Re: '32 Roadster reverse eye springs Get a new main leaf made at a local shop. The eyes move out a bit when reversed and this lets the shackles droop more. There is very little clearance on a Deuce anyway so having the spring essentially longer does not help. Have them make the eyes 3/4 instead of 7/8 so you can have a bigger choice of shackles.

01-02-2014, 04:33 PM	#12
firerod Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lakewood, CO Posts: 413	Re: '32 Roadster reverse eye springs If I reverse the leaf cold do I need to do anything else to it? is there anyplace that sells just the rear main leaf?

01-02-2014, 08:52 PM	#13
Fe26 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 949	Re: '32 Roadster reverse eye springs No further treatment is required if you work the spring cold. However I would recommend you buy a new main leaf and reverse that or, have what you want made. These leaves are getting pretty old now and arn't as reliable as they were when new. Considering this is the most important leaf in the stack I wouldn't take the chance. My technique is to lay the spring on a flat surface and draw a line around it. Then flatten the spring, you can use a press, a vise or a heavy hammer. Then starting at the centre hole mark lines across the spring every 2" Now you will need a Bending Plate or the opened jaws of a vise with soft rounded jaws set about 5-6". A Bending Plate is simply two round bars say about 1. 1/4-2" welded to a steel plate about 5-6" apart and they must be parallel. It helps if you attach guides to the plate to keep it square to the bars. Beginning at the center, position the hole over one of the bars, now strike (one big heavy blow) on the line nearest to the middle spot between the bars of the bending plate. After you settle down from the surprise of the spring bouncing off the plate, nearly missing your face and hurting your hand, you will decide to keep your head away, and to wear a welders glove. Or you will call a mate with a Press. Move the spring along until the next line is over the plates centre and repeat the blow. This is the time you'll now count all the lines and think Geez-I've gotta beat this spring that many times? Maybe I could buy a small press...Would a bigger hammer help? The answer is yes and yes. Repeat this process until you have hit all the lines. Now do the other side starting with the hole over one of the round bars. Keep repeating this process until the spring has a definate curve, but not yet even close to the line on the floor. You will also have a flat area near the hole. This area is a little tricky, if you hit the hole the metal each side will bend easily as there is'nt much resistance, so don't hit the hole. Take the next spring from the stack and hold it centered against the main leaf, you now have to match your flat centre section to the curve of the second leaf. When you bend this area go easy, you will notice the ends of the spring move down quite a bit when you work the center. Now check the spring against the line, adjust the spring as necessary, always hit on the lines and always keep the spring square to the bars. If you have gone too far you can put the spring into a vice and bend it back a little. The hammer head you use should be close in size to the width of the spring and have rounded edges so as not to mark the spring. Finish by sanding or wire brush and a coat of paint.

01-03-2014, 02:52 PM	#14
APDAVE Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 228	Re: '32 Roadster reverse eye springs I used a piece of 6" h beam on its side to beat again and yes it does bounce around plenty, and don't forget your ear plugs! Dave

01-03-2014, 04:55 PM	#15
alchemy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: middle of Iowa Posts: 647	Re: '32 Roadster reverse eye springs You guys who say "get a new one at your local spring shop", have you actually done this? Have they been able to make the arced rear leaf for you? Last I checked Posies, or any other place, will not sell just a main leaf.

01-03-2014, 05:30 PM	#16
Mart Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Solihull, England. Posts: 8,749	Re: '32 Roadster reverse eye springs Do people sell a reversed rear leaf? This spring has the curve in it (32-34 style) when viewed from above. The rear spring on my model A on 32 rails was done the old fashioned way years ago, and has worked well enough for me. Mart.

01-03-2014, 06:10 PM	#17
Fe26 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 949	Re: '32 Roadster reverse eye springs Any old fashioned Spring Maker should be able to make whatever you want. Failing that a General Blacksmith can also do this work. Also look for guys who advertise they reset springs.

01-03-2014, 09:50 PM	#19
don35 Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Minnesota Posts: 53	Re: '32 Roadster reverse eye springs Zenith Spring made a reversed eye main leaf for my 35. They are in Duluth Mn. I think they charged about $35 two years ago. Great people to deal with.

01-03-2014, 10:33 PM	#20
34Phae Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 94	Re: '32 Roadster reverse eye springs Most of the street rod part suppliers sell a reversed eye main leaf. Pete & Jakes has one listed in there cat.