Ride Height - Anyone Know?

[bcomo]

Does anyone know where I can find the specs on the "Ride Height" for the 60 (with a 430 if it matters)? Measured from where to where?

I am running stock 8.50 x 14 bias ply tires, so the original ride height specs is what I need. Can't find it in the shop manual anywhere. I'd like to know if my springs are OK.

Thanks

[byersmtrco]

I think it's in William Wonder's book. Or . . . I could just measure mine and safely say 1" higher in front & 2-3" higher in the rear.

My next project is rear susp. A company in Oakland, Ca. called A1 Spring is supposed to be pretty good. My concern is the car being too high in the back. I just want it to sit level. At that point is will still be aprox 1" lower than stock. With 215-75-15's on there, it should look about right.
My rear springs are really weak. plus the bushings are literally oozing out. Can't complain, they have more miles than the Space Shuttle on them.

When I found out more from A1, you can bet I'll post it.

[Alexander]

I know the overall height of a Thunderbird Hardtop is 53.0 inches. The shop manuals in my search gave no indication what the ride height is or from where to measure it. I assume it is from the top of the roof to the ground on a level surface.

[bcomo]

It's not in Wonder's book, or the 58-60 Concourse specs either. If we can get 3 or 4 58-60 owners to do 3 quick measurements, I'll compile the information and post it.

These would have to be cars with unmodified suspension -- no beefed sway bars, air shocks, disk brakes, etc. Tire size can be allowed for if we get a ground to top of tire measurement. These measurements don't have to be perfect, but within 1/2 inch would be nice. Then we could keep it a secret from Ford.

This is what we would need:

1. Year
2. Engine Size
3. Tire Size
4. Tire Height -- Vertical distance from ground to top of tire with car on the ground.
5. Front wheel well height-- Vertical distance from ground to center of front wheel well.
6. Rear wheel well height- Vertical distance from ground to center of rear wheel well. (or to the top of skirt if you have skirts).



OK, I'll start it off (took 5 minutes)
NOTE: Left front well height was 28", and right was 27 1/2"-- so I gave highest one.

1. 1960
2. 430
3. 8.00 x 14 B.F. Goodrich
4. Tire Height 27"
5. Front well height 28"
6. Rear well height 21 1/2" (to top of skirt)

[tbird430]

I thought all 430 cid T-Birds had to have the 7.50 x 14 tires, or was it a 430cid with A/C requirement???

[bcomo]

You mean 8.50 x 14.

The owners manual only shows 8.00 x 14, but looking in the concours 58-60 specs, it looks like you're right.

The 430 (A/C or not) should have 8.50 x 14 as standard. These tires are new and came with the car when I bought it 2 yrs ago -- always something. But, I'm glad that you caught that.

I just went to the Coker web site. The 8.50 x 14 is 1/2 inch taller than the 8.00 x 14
So, I'm riding about 1/2 inch lower than whatever a normal 60HT with 430 will be.

My measurements should be +1/2 inch higher than what I gave.

Should be THIS:

1. 1960
2. 430
3. 8.50 x 14 B.F. Goodrich
4. Tire Height 27 1/2"
5. Front well height 28 1/2"
6. Rear well height 22" (to top of skirt)

[byersmtrco]

Well heavy swaybars and disc brakes won't affect ride height.
I was pretty close in my guess.

Tire height 26" (205-70-15)
Frt wheel opening height 27"
Rear " " " @ top of skirt 18"

My car sits low because at some point in the dark past, my dad lowered it (prob not the corr way) and now it's a "little" to low in the rear.

[byersmtrco]

Oh sorry. Mine's 352 non -ac

[fomoco59]

Mine's pretty much stock...
1. 1959
2. 352
3. 8.00x14 Universal
4. 27" tire hgt
5. 28" front well
6. 20" rear well

and measured 53.5" floor to roof

[6TB1RD]

Bart:

When I rebuilt the suspension in my 88 ranger the manual shows to take ride height measurements from center hub (out side of wheel) to the lower section of the fender. This would give you the only true measurement due to tire wear and size of tires.

with the '60 hub caps this would be an easy measurement it has a point in the center.


anyway my rear section sags about 1.5" shy of the front. I will take measurements when I get home.

[tbird430]

Thanks "bcomo" for that correction. I don't how I remember some of this stuff, it just pops out there sometimes (the T-Bird info).....

[bcomo]

Let's take this one at a time:

John:

This is working out good so far. Look at this:

FRONT:
Your 205-70-15 Tire height = 26"
My stock 8.50-14 tire height = 27 1/2"

My tires are +1 1/2" higher
Your wheel well height 27" + 1 1/2" = 28 1/2" (same as mine).
So far, it would look like different front springs for the 352 and 430, keeping the same ride height.

We need a few more 60's to verify this.

REAR:
My ROT sheet shows "Heavy Duty" rear suspension. That means that I either have more leafs, or different leafs. My rear ride height (22") is probably higher because of that. So, don't look at mine for a standard height in the rear.

I have 7 leafs in the rear.

John: Could you count the number of leafs in your 60. I know that yours was lowered, but this would help.

ANYONE else with a 60, could you also post the number of leafs in the rear.


Fomoco59:

Your 59, 352 measurements are looking good.

Your stock 8.00-14 tires are -1/2" shorter than mine. So, if we add +1/2" to your wheel well front and back, it would be:

Front:
28" front well + 1/2" = 28 1/2" (same as mine and John)

Rear:
20" rear well +1/2 " = 20 1/2"

John's was lowered at 18". Mine is factory higher, and is 22". Your 20" might be the standard correct height for the 352. The 430 would be +1/2" higher because it came std with 1/2" higher tires-- we'll see if we can get more posts.

Fomoco59 - Can you please post the number of leafs in the back?

6TB1RD:

See what you come up with.

Thanks to all so far.

[Guest]

I have 6 leaves

[6TB1RD]

Tire size P205 75R 14

Drivers side front
26.75
Passenger front
27.50
Drivers rear
17.75
Passenger rear
18.00

Taking in consideration of the tire inflation I also took measurements per my 1988 ranger shop manual.

Drivers side front
15.25
Passenger side front
15.75
same half inch different as ground to finder measurement. this telling me the spring may be collapsing on the drivers side

Rear center hub to finder was the same both sides of 5.5"

number of rear leafs
6 and a helper

[bcomo]

Thanks tbirds8. That checks out.

I found the specs on the front and rear springs. This will certainly help if you do a complete suspension rebuild and want to check your springs against original measurements.

FRONT SPRINGS:

58, HT/Conv 332,352: Free height 15.50", Load height 9.60"


59, HT/Conv 352: Free height 15.75", Load height 9.60"
(Replacement spring free height 15.50" Dia. Wire = .710)

59, HT/Conv 430: Free height 15.75", Load height 9.60"
(Replacement spring free height 15.50" Dia. Wire = .710)


60, HT/Conv 352: Free height 15.75", Load height 9.60"
(Replacement spring free height 15.50" Dia. Wire = .710)

60, HT/Conv 430: Free height 15.50", Load height 9.60" Dia. Wire = .710


It appears that if your springs are within 15.50 to 15.75 Free height, or close to 9.60 load height -- you're OK.


REAR SPRINGS:

58, HT/Conv All Eng: Coil Spring, 17.48" Free height, 10.31" Load height

59-60 HT/Conv All Eng: Leaf Springs (6 Leafs), 55" Spring Length (shackel to shackel) at Normal Load. Note: Factory "Heavy Duty Springs" (7 Leafs) 55" Spring Length.
.