I am planning on putting some bigger wheels and tires on my car. I don’t know if afterwards that if the car will look funny sitting up too tall. I am not planning on going crazy with the wheel size or anything. Is it even going to be necessary to lower it or will it look fine? Anyway I am about to start an engine swap from a 200 to a 302 and I will need to get some v8 springs for the front so the front doesn’t sag from the weight. What is the best way to lower the front? Drop spindles? Different springs? And by best I mean not wearing through tires and the front end being all screwed up. What about the back? I know it is a basic leaf spring setup but I don’t have a lot of experience in suspension. Thanks (btw I meant to say 73 comet in the title but it wouldn’t let me change it)
If you’re on a budget the springs you have will work. Cut half a coil if you want it lower and lowering the a-arm 1” will help with suspension geometry. In the back use lowering blocks.
What Bob said. My Maverick has one coil cut from the springs but they were supporting a/c and power steering since removed. My very 1st Maverick came with the 200 six and 3 speed manual transmission and we kept those springs intact. After the 302 installation it lowered the front a little and rode well. Don't forget new shocks front and rear. Bruce
Most people that install a v8 just use the 6 springs and lots of people with v8s change out the v8 springs and use 6 springs, only way you will know for sure is just do it.
So what you are saying is keep the 6 springs and cut a half coil and it will lower the A arm or do I have to do something else to lower the A arm. Did your car wear tires right? Do I have to get different shocks or will going back with the stock ones work?
I would do all the mods first and then go from there. after the motor, trans, power assist, brake booster and wheels and tires ( shorter in front taller in back) you have no idea where it will sit. JMO
I've been reading and I don't think I am doing power brakes after all. But everything also you said is correct.
Anyway I would like to go back to one of my previous questions about cutting the springs and lowering the A arm and how it would affect the geometry of the front suspension. Anyone have some answers for that?
When I swapped the six for the v-8 in my 1st car, I didn't cut the springs. The weight of the v-8 set the front end down a little. With my current Maverick that came to me with inoperative A/C, leaking automatic trans and power steering ram, I removed all of that and installed manual steering and a four speed trans. The front end sat up higher so I went back and cut the springs one coil. I have no experience with the Shelby drop so won't comment on it. Bruce
How was your tire wear after you cut the springs? My car has none of the things on it that you just removed so I will most likely be cutting them a little.
If you cut the springs, have an alignment before buying new tires! With all ur planning on this car, have an alignment regardless.
How much adjustment is available on the front end? Do I need to get different shocks if I cut the springs or will the stock ones work?
