I was just on the HotRods and Hemis page and I saw it again. On the Hemi Hauler under the suspension pictures the springs are installed on the front end. I have a 41 Buick with a custom built mustang II setup on the front and I cannot get the springs into place. The shop that made the front end told me I need the weight of the engine and sheet metal to bring the front end down so I can get the shocks on. I had three guys stand on the front end and nothing the shocks hardly compressed. Am I missing something here is there a trick to get this in place?
It takes a BUNCH of weight to compress them enough for shocks- the engine, the trans the fenders all add weight that is difficult to get just by loading your buddies on... plus I wouldn't install them till weight is on anyway as they would be fully extended and that's not a good way to leave them for any length of time.
If you are just wanting to install the springs and not the shocks, you will need a spring compressor. After I install the springs I usually make a tool with a length of all thread with an eye on one end in order to pull the springs down to ride height. Do not cut any spring until after you have the car together and the springs have settled to there final height.
It is very difficult to install the springs on a Mustang II IFS without the use of a good spring compressor. The method your local shop told you is the way to do it if you don't have access to a compressor. It's not easy but can be done if you have the weight of the engine helping to compress the springs.
One other thought would be to make sure you're using the correct springs. Your car, even with a big block, shouldn't need more than the 4 cyl w/air springs. If anyone tells you different, they simply don't know what they're talking about. I had the 4 cyl springs in my BB powered 41 Chevy and they were just right. The design of the Mustang II IFS (stock) was to have the engine mounted directly over the crossmember so the stock springs are designed to carry a significant amount of weight. 99% of all street rods will have the engine mounted behind the crossmember which means the correct springs for the V8 or even V6 Mustangs would still be way too strong for most street rod applications. This is a mistake many people make and that's why you hear people talk about cutting coils to get the system to sit correctly.
Like Centerline said, the engine placement will cause considerable weight difference between the MII and a normal street rod. You also have a considerable amount of body weight on that suspension in the original vehicle.
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