One more off the winter list! I got the new leaf springs in today, and pulled the ladder bars for the reworking I've got planned. Amazing how the new leafs had 3" more arc, but settled down to about 2" above what the old saggy springs were. With no air in the rear shocks it's sitting very close to what I want, so just a small amount of air (maybe 25-30 lbs.) and it will be perfect.
I have all the adjusters and heims for the ladder bars so I can make both ends of them adjustable, instead of just the front, so that will allow for suspension height changes, and pinion angle differences. I'm still "engineering" some of this, so don't have it all worked out yet, but it will be better and stronger.

 

Got the ladder bars reworked today. Cut off the rear section of box tubing that connected the top to bottom, and mounted the bars to the axle bracket. Bought a stick of heavy wall tubing that was close to the inside diameter of the ladder bars, and turned it down in my lathe so it just slides inside the upper tube. Then I welded a pair of ears on the end of the tube and slid it inside almost 2'. Cut the lower tube off shorter, and welded in a 3/4" bung, and adjuster assembly. This allows me to make length adjustments based on suspension height, and preload, so I can adjust pressure in my air shocks, and change the length of the lower arm as the suspension rises or lowers. Since the lower arm controls pinion lift, it needs to be solid, but sliding upper arm will hopefully keep things from binding.
Sorry for the crumby picture. I took it on auto and it didn't focus well.

 

Back on the Falcon today. Pulled the moon tank and grille to swap in my spare '61 grille. Took a lot of reworking to make the '61 grille fit the '63, and had to fabricate all new brackets to mount it up! I abandoned the turn signal lights in the '61 grille, and just mounted the lenses in the holes in the grille. I'm getting a pair of Richies tank brackets from my buddy who makes them, and I'll mount the tank lower and centered when it goes back on.

 

Got the "moon" tank re-installed on the new grille with the new brackets today. Used aluminum angle to support it, but I think I'll redo it with aluminum flat bar, as I don't like the bulk of the angle. Also pulled my headers and gave them a through cleaning and sanding, then shot a coat of high heat black on them. Considered something flashy like white or silver, but basic black won out.
Also found an old hand built, polished stainless Chevy bowtie, so added that to the grille for fun!

 

very kool!

 

Thanks!

 

Pulled the tank brackets back off today, and did an upgrade. I drilled and cut out the small triangular insets on the brackets to make them more skeletonized. Then I cut down the aluminum mounts and reshaped them to make them less bulky. Finally added holes just for looks. After all, they are right out in front where everyone will see it!


Got the headers back on also, and exhaust buttoned up.

 

very neat. either car doing roadster show this year?

 

Thanks!
Definitely not the Austin, as rules wont allow re-entry unless significant changes are made. Hadn't thought about the Falcon, as it seems a bit too crusty for the show, and I doubt I could get it far enough along to be "show ready" by that time without a big investment in time and money.

 

seems like they don't follow that rule much. that black 49-53 chevy pickup with the red flames has been in the show every same goes for the 69 GTX with the straight axle and T-tops. hopefully this will be the only year the 56 can be in the running for a trophy because we are trying to get the car into the hall of fame due to its past history