ref: Gordon's message below
Last weekend I was at the Pomona HotRod Swap Meet, (buy blemished Grant
steering wheels for 1/2 price) and stopped next to a really sweet looking
Ford T-bucket style roadster. The guy had a leaf spring looking arrangement
running across the front from side to side. (rather than one on each side)
In poaching the conversation/talk going on, someone asked him why the leafs
were taped up with what looked like electrical tape / black duct tape.
He said that an old street rodder (maybe he said dirt tracker) trick was to
separate the leafs, and grease them up so they slid on each other easier,
then put them back together, and tape the outside to keep the grease from
leaking out (and feeling sticky and picking up dust). He said then you got
the stiff (less bottom out) spring rate and ride height, but a smoother
feel. The science makes sense to me but I'd be curious as to what others
(Gary McCormick?) think of this concept. (bending springs the same way, but
reduced frictional resistance on initial force application)
BTW: this guy was old enough to know the tricks of this era, and while the
rod was shiny, it wasn't a real modern rod, had '39 Ford front drums
________________
From: "Gordon Glasgow" <gsglasgow@home.com>
Subject: RE: Rear springs
I haven't tried the 1600 springs yet (I've considered it) but I have run the
comp springs for a long time and I assure you they are very stiff. I
wouldn't run comp rears without also installing comp fronts. Some of the
racers even said the comp rears were too stiff for racing purposes!
Gordon Glasgow
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